Some of the best college baseball teams in the country face the same adversity as those struggling to win.
Even perennial powers such as Seton Hill are susceptible to getting banged up during the wear and tear of a long season.
Contrary to what the Griffins’ impeccable image shows — the wins, the titles, the big hits and highlights — not everything is smooth as jazz all the time.
Injuries don’t take mercy on anybody, but the teams that adjust to them like the Griffins have can play on without much worry.
There is an abundance of talent in veteran coach Marc Marizzaldi’s program, but a super power that quietly carries on at Division II Seton Hill is the Griffins’ ability to plug and play.
“We don’t have next man up,” Marizzaldi said. “We have next man in. We want the next guy to be ready to step in.”
The nationally ranked Griffins, fresh off a record-setting season for wins (41-9 overall, 26-2 PSAC West) and their fourth straight conference title, will open another postseason at 1 p.m. Thursday against Millersville (33-16) in the PSAC Tournament. The Griffins, who have 15 30-plus-win seasons since 2008, are ranked No. 10 in the latest National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Division II Top 25.
Landing high-end recruits is one thing. Developing them is another.
Earlier in the season, injuries to two of their top players — sophomore Brady McGuire (hip) and Owen Henne (hamstring) — left a void in the lineup.
“Our two best players,” Marizzaldi said.
A couple of freshmen, Nate Simon and Brady Stone (Penn-Trafford), filled in until McGuire and Henne came back after missing a combined of 20 games.
“I think we were 7-3 without them,” the veteran coach said.
About three weeks ago, another setback: Junior all-region closer Zach Herb suffered a season-ending elbow injury, a significant blow to a stable bullpen.
Senior pitcher Jack Pletcher also missed about three weeks with an elbow injury.
The Griffins regrouped and moved on again.
“We don’t talk about (the injuries),” Marizzaldi said. “It allows us to get some guys in who might not see time otherwise, but it’s nice to know they are ready to go. We navigated it.”
Seton Hill has as many players on the roster as it has games played (50) and develops enough depth so backups are ready, sometimes on the fly.
“We fall back on our core values,” said grad pitcher Christian Zilli, a Hempfield alum who will slide into the closer role. “Those things keep us grounded and allow us to take the outside factors out of it. We know we have good guys, but we want their replacements to be good, too.”
McGuire came back just fine, winning PSAC West Athlete of the Year. He was the conference freshman of the year last season. He has a conference-best .443 average with 52 RBIs, 45 runs and 27 stolen bases in 41 games.
Another adjustment that might go unnoticed is the fast growth of a new pitching staff. Again, being prepared was the key.
“Every year, coach Maz is focused on every single player,” junior pitcher Mark Wechtenhiser said. “Not just the guys on the field. Every single player has a role, from playing to bringing energy in the dugout. Even if you’re not on the field, you have to be ready to every single opportunity.”
Wechtenhiser (8-1, 2.81 ERA, 63 K’s) is No. 2 in a four-man rotation that also includes sophomore Sean Williams (9-1, 2.43 ERA), redshirt junior Luke Deschenes (7-1, 3.14) and Pletcher (4-1, 3.94).
Williams threw a no-hitter earlier in the season. He was named PSAC West Pitcher of the Year.
“None of those guys played a significant role last year because we had a four-senior rotation,” Marizzaldi said. “We always prepare guys in case they need to go in because if graduation or injury. They took the opportunity and seized it.”
Herb has a team-best eight saves. Zilli (2-1, 2.37) has three and counting.
“You have to work in this program,” Zilli said. “Most people get humbled when they get here. In high school, you’re the big man on campus. Here, we have 50 of those. The easy way is not the best way. We’re trained for adversity before the season even gets here.”
The Griffins had six All-PSAC first-team picks: Henne, McGuire, Williams, senior Jack Whalen (Norwin), Zilli and Wechtenhiser.
Junior Jakob Haynes (Penn-Trafford) and Deschenes made the second team.
Henne is hitting .422 with 42 runs, and Whalen has a team-high 64 runs, 69 hits and 44 stolen bases.
Whalen is the PSAC’s all-time leader in steals with 148.
Haynes leads the PSAC with 15 home runs.
Marizzaldi, the PSAC West Coach of the Year who has led the program since its birth in 2004, picked up his 800th career win this season.
“We have momentum,” Marizzaldi said. “Winning leads to high expectations. I do not take that for granted. None of this happens by accident.”
Marizzaldi said the team’s overall athleticism and offensive potential are its strengths.
“The hitting has really made a jump,” he said. “I like how if we need to outscore somebody, we can. But we have pitchers who can hold down a lead.”
Zilli, who thought he would be an infielder long before he joined the bullpen, came back for a fifth year, along with grads Mike Gregos and Nate Dorinsky.
There wasn’t much of a decision for Zilli.
“I wanted to give baseball all the things it gave to me,” Zilli said. “I have experienced so much personal growth here. It’s so much more than baseball.”
Said Marizzaldi: “The last three years, we’ve been a game short of (the College World Series). These guys who have been here all of those years want another shot at it.”