Season Outlook: Healthy, dynamic lineup makes 'Ville baseball a contender once again

Millersville vs. West Chester in game 2 of a baseball doubleheader at Cooper Park in Millersville on Friday, May 3, 2024. Mark Palczewski/Millersville Athletics.

Photo by: Mark Palczewski/Millersville Ath

Season Outlook: Healthy, dynamic lineup makes 'Ville baseball a contender once again

2/3/2025 11:30:00 AM | Baseball

By: Ethan Hulsey, Director of Athletic Communications

MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - After 17 seasons of nearly unrivaled success, you might think Jon Shehan has all the answers. He's a six-time PSAC East Coach of the Year, three wins shy of 600, and ranks 13^th among active Division II coaches in winning percentage. No other program has played in the NCAA Atlantic Regional in each of the last 11 seasons. But the pursuit of a national championship requires constant adapting, learning, and developing.

So often, the most valuable lessons are learned through adversity. On April 28, 2024, Millersville had just polished off a four-game sweep of Shepherd and sat at 37-9, ranked seventh in Division II. They didn't realize it after that 9-3 win, but the tank was nearly empty, and the team was running on fumes. Nagging injuries to the position players started to take a toll. All-American starting pitchers Alex Mykut and Carson Kulina began to tire from a heavy workload. In May, Millersville lost seven of eight games, was swept by West Chester, knocked out of the PSAC Tournament in the first round and managed just one win in the regional. Four of the losses came by one run. Five times Millersville gave up a lead in the fifth inning or later.

"We've been so good at winning one-run games through the time I've been here for a lot of different reasons," said Shehan. "We typically take care of the ball on defense, throw strikes and situationally hit well. The injury bug plays a role in that. It put us in a tough spot offensively. You take guys out of the lineup who are difference makers with their bat, the glove, or their arm, there's the difference in a one-run game."

A coach can't do much about injuries, but what Shehan did learn, is that you can't be the same team in May that you were in March. Development can't be saved for the offseason. As video has become more prevalent and scouting reports more detailed, hitters and pitchers alike must make constant adjustments to stay one step ahead. Those small details also make a difference in a one-run game. In the first game of the regional against perennial postseason rival Seton Hill, Millersville was blanked and struck out 14 times against Aidan Layton, who had given up four runs in his previous start and would last just two innings against East Stroudsburg later in the regional. Meanwhile, Kulina, who had now allowed more than two earned runs in 11 consecutive starts from February-April, gave up 13 in his three starts in May.

"Teams did a great job adjusting," said Shehan. "The game has changed from a scouting aspect. Teams are more prepared than they used to be. When you have success, you have to be ready to make adjustments. Teams watch us more often, and you have to be better as a result."

Shehan pointed to Seton Hill's starter, who went from a two-pitch arsenal at the start of the season to four pitches in May. Millersville did not adjust the same way, instead, leaning on what worked so well for the first three months of the season. That, coupled with a physically depleted lineup, resulted in an early postseason exit by the narrowest of margins. The unsatisfactory conclusion left the staff and veteran players with unfinished business. Shehan calls the 2025 season a "restart." There is no resting on laurels for Millersville baseball. Rather, there is a relentless of pursuit of improvement.

"At the end of the season we hit a wall," said Shehan. "We peaked on the mound, and we peaked offensively too early. At the end of the season, we didn't pitch well and didn't hit well. We were pretty banged up. This is a good restart for us. It really is. Jobs are open and there is some competition. It's pushed guys to improve and made them focus on their discipline."

Bren Taylor '23, the only two-time PSAC East Athlete of the Year in Millersville history who led the Marauders to a regional title in 2023, watched the disappointing conclusion to the 2024 season. He'd spent the spring after graduation working for an education agency in Lancaster and substitute teaching. He played 170 games for the Marauders, hitting .399 in 2021, .425 in 2022 and .426 in 2023. Taylor won a PSAC Championship and made a trip to Cary, N.C. for the Division II World Series. Despite his incredible hitting skills and accolades, pro teams didn't call after 2023, so Taylor left baseball behind for a future as a coach and educator.

A BIG TRIPLE BY BREN TAYLOR TO TIE US UP 5-5 IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 9TH! pic.twitter.com/ZpVAFhZY7Z
— Millersville Marauders (@VilleMarauders) February 10, 2023

Taylor started watching Millersville's home games from atop the parking garage next to Cooper Park. He couldn't help but feel like he should still be playing in Black and Gold. Taylor was a freshman in 2020 when the NCAA canceled his season after 14 games. He still had a season of eligibility. He, too, had unfinished business.

"At first, I didn't know he was coming to the games, and then we started having conversations about, 'What would you think about coming back?'" said Shehan. "At first it was a long shot. Then he started getting serious about it."

Taylor decided that a master's degree would be beneficial as he sorted his future career path, and he could not pass on one last opportunity to play baseball at Millersville. He enrolled in graduate courses, and he's now back in left field and the familiar No. 2 spot in the lineup, bringing with him three consecutive seasons with a .500 on-base percentage, 255 hits, and 192 runs. He's played 53 fewer games than Chas McCormick '17 but is just 51 hits from McCormick's all-time PSAC record. He's 29 runs shy of the school record held by Jimmy Losh '23. Taylor averaged 91.5 hits and 70.5 runs over his previous two seasons, so he'll likely set records that will never be touched. But that's not Taylor's motivation. He's back to win. Period.

"Once you start a full-time job it's hard to go back to being a full-time student and baseball player," said Shehan. "It's a big sacrifice on his end. His sole purpose is to get back to Carey and win a national championship. Unfinished business. He told the team that."

The return of Taylor changes everything for Millersville. In 2023, he walked 31 times and struck out just eight times in 267 plate appearances. He already owns the program's record for career triples. He stole 23 bases in 2023. Taylor is the ultimate offensive weapon, but his uncanny ability to diagnose opposing pitchers is an invaluable tool for his teammates, and he gives the team the depth it missed so much down the stretch in 2024.

"At an intrasquad game, Bren picked up tips on one of our new pitchers and shared it with the hitters," said Shehan. "The guys hit him all over the park. At the end of the game, Bren went to the pitcher and said, 'Hey, you are tipping your breaking ball.' He's in great shape. He worked out all winter. After about two at-bats he started getting some hits. He's ready."

Taylor's return, along with the lightning-fast Jeff Sabater, and stellar hitter Sam Morris gives Millersville three All-PSAC East outfielders. Sabater led the NCAA and set a PSAC record for stolen bases in 2024. He also led the team in batting average (.372) and reached base at a .417 clip. Sabater is a unique offensive weapon. He is a threat to get on base any time the ball is hit on the ground. He stresses defenses with his ability to bunt, and when he does get on first base, a single is as good as a double. He reached base via hit, walk, or hit-by-pitch 83 times and stole 57 bases. Sabater on the bases makes life easier for Taylor in the No. 2 hole, and likewise, the defense can't be focused fully on Sabater because of Taylor's ability to steer the ball through holes with his bat. Shehan also believes Sabater will be more than a bunt-and-run player this year.

"Jeff is a catalyst for sure," said Shehan. "His ability to get on base is impactful for Bren Taylor. Jeff has worked really hard. Everyone knows his ability to bunt, but if you attack him, he's going to try to drive the ball this year. He's really tough to defend."

Morris has been consistent but continually improving in Black & Gold. He hit .341 with a .404 OBP as a junior and upped both to .347 and .416 in 2024. He stole 20 bases in 2024 after swiping 16 the season prior. He has some pop with nine homers and 23 doubles the last two seasons, and his bat-to-ball skills and early-count aggression make him tough to strikeout, as he fanned just 11 times while walking 22.

"When he swings, he puts the ball in play," said Shehan. "The data is interesting with him. We'd like him to take a few more pitches, and drive a few more balls, but we don't want to take away his competitiveness. He's come back in fantastic shape."

Shehan also needs to find at-bats for redshirt sophomore Hunter Stevens. It won't be easy with the talent in the outfield. Taylor can move to DH, but that also takes either Matthew Williams or Jimmy Kirk, highly productive hitters who share time at first base and DH, out of the lineup. Stevens, though, is an outstanding athlete and brings a power bat to the outfield. While he hit .225 and struck out 36 times in 71 at-bats in his rookie season, he also drew 16 walks and smacked seven home runs.

"Hunter has to play in some way shape or form," said Shehan. "It becomes a revolving door with Bren, the two first basemen who have a chance to be offensive run producers. We are hoping to find at-bats for Jimmy Kirk and Hunter but keep the three outfielders playing regularly. Hunter is a good defender with a strong arm."

Williams and Kirk provide Millersville's lineup with power. Williams has 17 home runs in his first two collegiate seasons, and he had 17 doubles while hitting .339 last season. Kirk hit .284 with six homers in 25 starts. Both hitters experienced prolonged slumps during the season, but Shehan says steps have been taken to ensure more consistency.

"Jimmy has been one of the best summer ball hitters the last three years but he keeps hitting a wall physically with us," said Shehan. "He spent the fall getting into great shape and worked with the same trainer as Tim (Mayza) and Chas (McCormick) and worked some things out. He's moving really well. He looks good at the plate. His defense has gotten better…The biggest key for Matthew is repeating his swing and approach for the entire season. He had a better year but still had a three-four-week period where it went backward. We created some checks and balances with his approach to prevent that."

Grand slam off the scoreboard for Matthew Williams extends the Marauder lead 10-0 in the bottom of the third! #RollVille pic.twitter.com/gwtXIfcRHC
— Millersville Marauders (@VilleMarauders) March 8, 2024

The added depth allows Williams and Morris to pitch more often. Both are talented right-handers on the mound, but Williams pitched just one inning in 2024, striking out two in a 1-2-3 performance, and Morris has logged just 7 1/3 innings over the last two seasons. Williams could be used as a starter in the same way that Shehan once used Derek Kline. He can also fill a role in the bullpen, like Morris, who made 17 appearances, pitched 28 innings and won the PSAC Championship game as a freshman in 2022. Morris can be used in high-leverage situations out of the bullpen.

Millersville also returns starting shortstop Amani Jones and third baseman Keegan Soltis. Jones is an elite athlete with range and a strong arm. Jones had 14 hits in the first nine games of the 2024 season, but mirroring the rest of the lineup, the switch-hitter's average slipped to .264 by season's end. Jones played the entire season with a wrist injury that required surgery in the offseason, and that was likely a factor in his offensive production.

"Amani is healthy," said Shehan. "He's turned into a leader. It's his second year in the program, and he understands the culture. We've been blessed over the last 15 years to have great leadership at the shortstop position. He's continuing that."

Soltis also wore down at the end of the end of the season, and that's because he was forced into emergency catcher duties. He hadn't caught since high school, but when both Cole Houser and John Seibert went down, the Marauders had no other options. Soltis filled in admirably and was eventually named All-PSAC East First Team and All-Atlantic Region Second Team as a utility player. He started games at four different positions including 22 games behind the plate. Soltis had his average up to .360 around the time he started catching, and the new defensive responsibilities impacted his offense. Soltis still finished with a .300 average for the third consecutive season. He's elite at getting on base, drawing 30 or more walks and posting on-base percentages of .452 and .455 in back-to-back seasons.

"Keegan is a leader," said Shehan. "He's got the ability to psychologically fire guys up. He comes to the ballpark every day ready to compete. He's hard-nosed. The experience at catcher took a toll on him physically. He's put 10-15 pounds of good muscle on. Over the last five years, he's made major changes physically. Playing the role that he did last season convinced him that he had to get stronger. That will help him this year.

When Millersville completed its fall practices, it had just two catchers on the roster, and both were brand new to the program—freshman Troy Chamberlin and Cayuga Community College transfer Perry Chetney. Shehan didn't want Soltis to be forced behind the plate again, so the staff utilized the transfer portal. They didn't just find depth. They may have found their starter. Freshman Sammy Laux, a Perkiomen School graduate, spent the fall semester at West Virginia University. He was ranked the No. 5 catcher in Pennsylvania by Perfect Game Baseball as a senior in high school. While he's been with the team only a couple of weeks, he's immediately impressed.

"He's been a shot in the arm," said Shehan. "He's been really good learning the staff. He is intelligent and communicates well. His biggest focus has been building relationships. He swung it well the first weekend. When you come out of a Power 4 (school), you are facing 95 every day in intrasquad. That makes the ball look a little bigger when it is 90-92. We are excited about that. We don't want to give away jobs because it's competitive, but he looks like the frontrunner."

Chamberlin and Chetney are battling for playing time. The players have different strengths according to Shehan. Chamberlin has a "rocket launcher" for an arm, and Chetney is solid with his blocking and receiving.

The only other job up for grabs is second base. Millersville has had an incredible run of offensive production and stellar defensive play at the position with an All-PSAC East First Team selection in four of the last five seasons. Millersville is counting on a trio of uber-athletic underclassmen to seize the opportunity. Donis Rodriguez signed a professional contract with the Milwaukee Brewers when he was 16 years old and played 49 games in the Dominican Summer League in 2022-23. Shehan compares Rodriguez's speed to Sabater, and says his feet are on par with the best he's coached.

"If he can get the skills to match the tools, he'll be in a really good place," said Shehan. "He's young even though he played pro ball. He's learning the ropes and the college game is different. He is figuring out our system. It's all about how fast he can figure it out. When he does, he can be really good."

Nate Lapp, a redshirt freshman is competing for that starting role and is playing well in preseason camp. So is freshman Christian Cerone. Cerone, originally recruited to play center field, tried his hand at the infield in the fall and impressed coaches with his defense. Shehan says that Cerone is, "Dynamic and a winner."

"Competition is the best thing you can ask for when you have openings," said Shehan.

Even with the end-of-season slump, Millersville still finished 2024 as one of three teams in the PSAC to hit over .300, and the only team to hit over .300 and hit more than 40 homers. Millersville's 164 stolen bases led the PSAC by 38. The program has ranked in the top three in the PSAC in hitting and runs scored in five consecutive seasons. Expect more of the same in 2024. The Marauders have speed, on-base skills, high average hitters, and plenty of power.

"On paper, we can score runs," said Shehan. "If you are going to win in the regional and win at Cary you have to be able to score runs and beat elite arms. I think our offense has a chance to do that. We are dynamic, and we have depth. There are 12-14 position players who can play, which feels good after last year."

Millersville baseball is synonymous with developing starting pitchers, producing 29 All-PSAC East honorees and at least one each season since 2010. Odds are, there will be more added to that list in 2025. But the only returning starting pitcher with postseason accolades is senior right-hander Conor Cook, and it's been four years since he won that award. Cook was the 2021 PSAC East Freshman of the Year, and has gone 12-6 with a 4.55 ERA since, missing all of 2023 with an injury. Cook was stellar at times in 2024, holding Seton Hill to two runs on three hits over six innings in the NCAA regional. Against both Shippensburg and Lock Haven, he pitched a complete game, allowing one run with a combined 19 strikeouts and two walks.

"Conor Cook seems to have returned to form," said Shehan. "He's shown flashes of being an ace. He's matured."

Conor Cook continues to deal through four! #RollVille pic.twitter.com/CTIuaE8XNW
— Millersville Marauders (@VilleMarauders) March 30, 2024

Behind Cook, projection is necessary to fill out the starting rotation, and three spots are available as the PSAC East schedule returns to the four-game series after two seasons with the three-game format. Only one other returner, Garet Blankenbiller, has started a game against a PSAC East opponent, and he last did that in 2023.

Blankenbiller spent much of his first two seasons in the mid-week, non-conference game starter role, and he was brilliant, posting a 9-0 record and 2.86 ERA with 78 strikeouts over 72 1/3 innings in 2022-23. Last season, however, was rocky from the start. He pitched just 11 innings and surrendered 12 runs on 13 hits and 12 walks. However, his work with new pitching coach Eli Nabholz in the fall has Shehan hopeful that Blankenbiller will return to form.

"Blankenbiller has pitched really well," said Shehan. "He's surprised me the most from that aspect. We've seen guys become All-Americans after bad years. I have a lot of confidence in him to correct some mistakes from last year."

Millersville is also looking for redshirt sophomore Alex Kuehn to take the next step. He served in a long relief role last season and finished 3-1 with a 3.74 ERA in 21 2/3 innings. First and foremost, he is a strike thrower, walking just four batters while striking out 20. Kuehn shut down PSAC East foes in his five appearances spanning 15 2/3 innings. He allowed just one run on 13 hits, struck out 16 and walked one.

"Alex Kuehn has really worked hard to change his body," said Shehan. "He is a prototypical four-pitch starter. Throws a ton of strikes. His mentality reminds me of Jim McDade. Quiet, but don't let that full you. He's fearless."

According to Shehan, the pitcher with the most upside is Rece Ritchey, but Ritchey, now a junior, has yet to have a healthy season as a collegiate pitcher. He started his career at the University of Virginia with a broken bone in his elbow. The long recovery carried into 2023, and last season, a strained muscle inhibited him all season. He debuted with six strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings against St. Cloud State, pitched again on Feb. 17 and did not make another appearance until the final game of the season. Ritchey, a left-hander, could fill a variety of roles for the staff. He could be a weekend starter, but he could also be a reliever who makes multiple appearances across a series.

"Ritchey has the nastiest stuff on the team--low-90s with a wipeout, big league slider," said Shehan. "He can get swings and misses from the best guys in the league."

Also contending for a spot in the starting rotation are a pair of transfers--Connor Blantz and Joe Morrissey. Blantz, a product of Shehan's high school alma mater Lampeter-Strasburg, pitched 66 2/3 innings over two seasons at Division I North Carolina A&T after two years at Harford Community College.

"Connor Blantz has been outstanding," said Shehan. "Blantz is a three-pitch guy in the low-90s. He led our team in strike percentage in the fall. He's mature. He's had a lot of roles. He's pitched in big environments. It's good to add a 24-year-old Division I transfer. He's here to win."

Morrissey started his career as the Centennial Conference Pitcher of the Year at Washington College. From there, he transferred to Division II Barry, pitching against stiff competition in Sunshine State Conference, home to Tampa, the 2024 national champ. After missing 2023 with Tommy John Surgery, Morrissey returned in 2024, went 5 1/3 allowing three runs against that Tampa team, and he finished the season with 76 1/3 innings pitched, a 3.89 ERA and 61 strikeouts.

"Joe is a super competitive, veteran guy," said Shehan. "He is now a couple years removed from Tommy John, and we've seen that it takes them a year to figure it out, and the second year they become more effective."

There is no question as to whom Millersville hands the ball at the end of games. Senior Evan Rishell has pitched in Millersville's most high-leverage moments the last two seasons. He was an all-region selection in 2023 when he went 6-1 with a 1.17 ERA, and in 2024, he delivered two saves and a 2.57 ERA. He's already pitched over 100 innings and is 10-3. He brings intensity to the mound, basking in the pressure of getting key outs. Shehan calls him their "go-to guy."

Along with Morris and Williams, Millersville has a variety of options out of the bullpen. Matt Shamany made five appearances last season after Tommy John surgery in 2023 and is pitching well entering the season according to Shehan. Jordan Oliver, a redshirt sophomore, could be this season's Zack Tukis. Tukis, signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024, boasted elite stuff but took time to hone it. Shehan says that Oliver has "as good stuff as anyone in the league." Shehan is excited about the possibilities if it all comes together.
Redshirt sophomore Brady Grimes is coming off an ACL injury, and Shehan likes his unique repertoire. Mike Costello is a hard-throwing right-hander who had an outstanding start to 2024, pitching a shutout inning against Tampa in the opener.

"Costello showed signs of being really good last year," said Shena. "He's been really good, throwing a lot of strikes."

Gavin Lill is another right-hander who transferred in from Pittsburgh. He was a highly-ranked recruit out of West Chester East High School and had an impressive summer in the Valley League, posting three saves with 32 strikeouts in 23 innings for the Strasburg Express. Shehan calls Lill "super competitive," and views him as a potential two to three-inning pitcher.

The pieces are there for Millersville to have a winning pitching staff. It's up to Shehan and Nabholz to figure out where those pieces best fit. There is flexibility with two-way players like Morris and Williams, veterans and exciting newcomers.

"It will be important for the staff to be selfless and play roles that maybe they didn't expect," said Shehan. "We may use an opener. We may have guys coming out of the bullpen who are used to starting. It's a matter of pitching for your teammates. If there is one thing we have to do to be successful it is attack the strike zone and give our offense a chance to win every game. If we do that, we'll be pretty good."

The 2025 season features a number of firsts for the program. It is scheduled to host its first night game on April 5 against Bloomsburg, and the regular season finale against East Stroudsburg will also be under the lights. Millersville then hosts the entire PSAC Tournament at Cooper Park from May 7-10. Six of the team's first nine games are at home and play 27 total home games.