Winning the Central Activities Conference for the first time last fall by going undefeated in in conference play, the New Franklin Bulldogs are looking to continue their dominance this spring. The 7-4 record and conference championship attained during the fall was highlighted by six players, senior Tysen Dowell, junior Caleb Hull, sophomores Owen Armentrout, Clayton Wilmsmeyer, Keaton Eads, and freshman Tanner Bishop being named All-Conference. On their way to that record, the Bulldogs lost three of their first four games by one run each then went on to win six of their last seven games.

That however, was last spring and like any good coach, Erich Gerding is not resting on his laurels. “If we want to be successful, we must practice like we have never won and play like we have never lost,” he said. “While our pitching and defense improved, it still needs to get better.”

Gerding will change his lineup depending on who is pitching or hitting well at the moment, utilizing his players in different spots according to the situation. “Almost everyone is, or at least should be, a utility player,” Gerding said.

The pitching staff looks to be made up of underclassmen. Junior Caleb Hull was expected to draw the first start against Fayette in the season opener. Rounding out the staff will be Hull’s classmates Sam Marshall and Zac Roth, along with sophomores Clayton Wilmsmeyer, and Keaton Eads. The rest of the staff will include freshmen Tanner Bishop, Jacob Marshall, Connor Wilmsmeyer, and Sawyer Felten.

The catching duties will fall mostly on the shoulders of senior Tysen Dowell, who, at 6-food-4, is a large presence behind the plate. When Dowell is not catching, the duties will most likely fall to freshman Connor Wilmsmeyer. That will not make things much easier for umpires, as Wilmsmeyer tops out at 6-foot-2. He will most likely fill the designated hitter role as well, with junior Sam Marshall backing him up.

Marshall looks to be the starting first baseman and will also be backed up by Connor Wilmsmeyer.

Second base will be manned by sophomore Keaton Eads as the starter, backed up by junior Caleb Hull and freshman Sawyer Felten.

Freshman Tanner Bishop will hold down the hot corner with a trio consisting of junior Caleb Hull and freshmen Kadin Sanders and Treyton Ginter ready to relieve him.

The shortstop position will be held down by sophomore Clayton Wilmsmeyer with classmate Keaton Eads and junior Caleb Hull backing him up. Hull certainly proves Gerding’s theory of everyone being a utility player as he is listed as a starter or backup at four different positions.

The outfield seems to be set with sophomore Owen Armentrout in left, freshman Jacob Marshall in center, and junior Zac Roth in right. 

“Our infield defense, especially up the middle, will be a key for us as always,” said Gerding. “We need consistency and leadership at these positions. If we can catch and throw behind whoever is pitching, we will be okay. Our ability to defend well on the left side of the infield and have a rock behind the plate will be key factors in our success. All of these were plusses for us in the fall.

“Our goals this spring are to be a team, be the most excited to play, and be the best at doing our jobs. We also want to continue to develop and strengthen our defensive flexibility, which we thought turned into a real positive for us in the fall,” said Gerding. “We also want to continue developing as hitters who can do multiple things with the bat and give us consistent, quality at-bats, which we were able to do a good job of in the fall. We must remember what made us successful in the fall, keep building on that, and continue developing in other areas to continue to improve.”

Gerding said his team’s first goal is to be 1-0 after the first game. “After that, our focus will shift to the next opponent and so on. We have to get better offensively by decreasing our strikeouts and executing with runners on base.”

Our team ERA has to decrease by about a run per game by walking less guys and pitching to weaker contact. Overall, I like what I think this team can be, but only if we all individually work our best to make this a good team.”