A

Word

From

Coach

Winecke

 

I keep asking myself how to start to write these thank you’s to these guys. We have two groups with the handful of guys that came back for a fifth year and the “true” seniors. To be honest, I am not excited to write these salutes, as it means that the time we get with these 20 guys is coming to an end. This group will always have a very special place within the program’s history — because of the type of people

and

teammates

they

are!

 

The first four guys are the seniors that graduated last year and are now

“Big

boys,

with

big-boy

jobs.”

 

We want to thank Max FAUSt   for all that he did for the program daily. Max is a student of the game and was one of the most reliable people we have ever had in the program. I am so glad that Max is coaching high school right now as his knowledge of the game and per- spective is a gift at he gets to share with others. Max was a guy that could come in and get a bunt down, run a great productive AB chart and push all his teammates to be their best. Thank you, Max, and we hope

teaching

at

Hill

is

going

well.

 

We want to thank Tyler Stilp for dropping down and throwing some really big innings for our program. Tyler’s personality, laughter and genuine sprit is something we miss daily since he left. Tyler is a wonderful person that cared and worked hard to make his situation in the program the best it could be. From walking in as a dual guy to dropping his arm slot he did whatever he could to help this team. Now when we talk we talk about house projects and how being a “big boy” is not all that is cut out to be. Thanks for everything, Tyler, and good luck

down

the

road!

 

We want to thank Pat Laughlin   for simply being Pat! Words are really tough to come by when thinking of Pat. If he wasn’t running for school president, triple majoring and out on the field is was making someone’s day by just striking up a conversation. Pat has a sense about him that is special and his insight into life has always brought joy and laughter to the group. The days of watching him play oppo t- ball in the RAC to listening to him talk about the Cubs, we miss all of that here. Pat is talented, smart, funny and a great person. I love catching up with Pat as he always has me shaking my head when walk- ing

away

from

the

conversation

smiling.

Good

luck

Pat!

 

We want to thank Matt “Pie” Piechowski for following in his uncle’s footsteps and attending this great university. Even though his uncle Tim will never let Matt believe he is better, Matt had one heck of a career here on the baseball diamond. Watching Pie run the bases is one of my favorite things to do on the field, as he has a gift of a truly great baserunner. I miss Pie’s sense of humor, him picking on Wolfe and Joey, and of course all the fun conversations and laughter he gave all of us. Matt is one heck of a ballplayer who could hit for average, hit for power, steal bases and play a high level of defense in the outfield. A special player but a better person. We missed Pie this year but I am happy life is going well. Good luck, Matthew, and hope we

can

catch

up

soon!

 

We want to thank Joey Costello   for bringing a toughness and a belief that through hard work good things become a reality. I have been able to watch Joe walk on this campus 5 years ago a young kid and now I see a great leader that has always been able to see the big picture in life.   Joe has a toughness that unless you are around him daily you don’t always get the chance to see it up close and personal. Joey is selfless, tough and loyal and we have been so lucky to have him in the program. I am excited to watch Joey take on life, coaching and

one

day

being

a

parent.

Good

luck

Joey!

 

We want to thank Justin Weinberg   for his willingness to do wha- tever is necessary for the team to have success. I have known Justin since he was a little kid running around camp back in St. Paul. He could

play

back

then

and

he

can

play

now.

Watching

Justin

grow

as

a

person and leader has been so fun and rewarding. I am not saying Weino doesn’t give me a few gray hairs along the way but let me tell you it was worth everyone of those gray hairs. Justin has some of the best baseball instincts of any player that I have been around and has been so important to our program. I am going to miss many things about Weino from his laugh to driving me nuts after he slides into 1B on a pick off to hitting line drives up the middle. Justin good luck and keep treating people the way you always have because that is your gift!

Good

luck

Weino!

We want to thank Will Matthews   for his steady approach to the day and his love for the game. Will has been a staple in our line-up since the day he walked onto this campus. He has grown so much as a player and really has shown what true toughness is day in and day out. The game has not always been easy for Will but it never stopped him or his love for the game. Will really has learned to take the good and the bad of every performance and I will miss his smile and general joy for life the most. I always give Will a hard time but that’s because I love him and he takes it with the best of them. We will miss all that Will brings to the table each and every day. If he isn’t hitting rockets to RCF he is now picking balls like it’s his job at 1B. Will good luck down the road and please don’t ever lose your sense of joy for life and the

game.

Good

luck

William!

We want to thank Zach Drake   for, I guess, being Zach aka the “Menace.” It can be hard to get players to understand how to really compete daily…. with Zach that is NOT an issue. Zach has brought this team a compete level, confidence and swagger that has helped us have success daily and has allowed him to be a talented overachiever (which is a complement).   Now with Zach you have moments where you want to hug him and 10 seconds later you are shaking your head and having to have a conversation. That is why when I describe Zach to people I ask if they know who, “Denise the Menace” is…. Zach has one of the biggest hearts in our program and has so much love to give other even if they don’t think so. Behind the cocky, competitive kid is a man that would do anything for a teammate and this program. Zach remember to never lose your comfort level with competition because that is your edge but remember to let people see your heart and love that

is

behind

that.

Good

luck

Zach!

We want to thank Ryan Wolfe   for his leadership, insight and his willingness to always want the ball. Ryan is an absolute bulldog on the mound and when he talks people listen. Ryan has had a huge impact on this program not only since he arrived on campus but way before that when he uses to come and watch his older brother Zach play. Ryan is special because of his work ethic, belief in good things will happen to good people and his toughness to never ever back down. It has been a joy to not only watch Ryan out on the mound but it has been fun to watch him grow into a great leader. If you ask any of Ryan’s past or current teammates about him, it would all be nothing but respect. Ryan, continue to grow into a great leader as people nat- urally follow you. You have a gift of leadership and let that gift guide you

to

great

heights!

Thank

you,

Ryan!

We want to thank Jon Cieminski   for coming back for this last year — you have been a huge part of our success these past few years! We are happy he decided to transfer here after this freshman year and I think we might have almost lost him one fall practice up in the bluffs, but the guy came right back the next day. Jon is tough as nails, has a huge heart and a maturity our team has benefited from. I always love talking with Jon about life and things outside of baseball the most. His work ethic is incredible and his desire to do whatever he can to help the

team

is

second

to

none.

Jon

I

am

happy

you

cut

your

hair

as

you

See,   A WORD FROM COACH WINECKE ,

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