Kevin Shenker
Shenker and the Yellow Jackets recently completed their annual spring break trip to Ft. Myers, Florida with a 6-5 overall record. On the trip, the six-foot and one-inch and 190-pounder, excelled both at the plate and on the mound. At the plate, Shenker batted .500 with eight base hits in 16 at-bats with three runs scored, three runs batted-in and a stolen base. On the mound, he appeared in three games, all in relief, and compiled a 0-0 record in three innings pitched with a 3.00 earned run average and four strikeouts.
“Kevin had a solid spring break trip and really blossomed for us,” said 40-year veteran Head Coach Bob Fisher, who begins B-W’s northern portion of its schedule on March 22 at Muskingum College with 656 career wins.
“We have always known that Kevin could both hit the baseball and lay some solid outfield and be a key member of our pitching staff either as a starter or reliever,” said Fisher. “In Ft. Myers, Kevin really distinguished himself at the plate and had a few positive outings on the mound.”
Shenker has always played the game of baseball as it should be played. The versatile player who has played multiple positions throughout his career at B-W is always willing to help his team in any way.
“I have played every position except shortstop and catcher”, said Shenker, who has a .234 career batting average (15-of-64) with 13 RBI and also has a 1-2 pitching record with 13 whiffs in 24 and two-third innings pitched. “I try to contribute any way I can, and I am willing to play whatever position the coaches ask me to play.”
Shenker, a sport management and business administration major, also is versatile both on the baseball diamond and in the classroom. The double major and is a member of Campus Crusade for Christ, Sport Management Club and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. In the classroom, Shenker has maintained a high grade point average, including making the Dean’s List the past three semesters, and last spring was a candidate for Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors.
“Kevin is a very intelligent young man who really has his priorities (of academics coming first) in the right place,” said Fisher. “It is certainly just one trait that makes him a good baseball player too. On the mound, Kevin is in control, and one reason for that control, is his intelligence and ability to dissect a hitter. He also is a good student of the game and utilizes that ability when he is at bat.”
On the field, Shenker is in his fourth season of baseball at the College and has earned two varsity letters. As a sophomore in 2006, he started two games and made five relief appearances and earned his first collegiate win in relief. In 2007, Shenker played in 19 games, including 11 starts. He also showed his versatility by making two relief appearances.
Kevin is optimistic about the Yellow Jackets’ success this season and his contribution to the team.
“We return a majority of our team from last year,” said Shenker. “We were a young team two seasons ago and again last season, but now we feel that we are a more experienced ballclub. We have a well-balanced team and I hope to help us with our goals of winning an OAC title. I am adaptable and feel comfortable playing any position.”
Shenker and the Yellow Jackets open the 2008 home schedule on Tuesday, April 1 when they host cross-town and nonleague rival Case Western Reserve University in a single game at Heritage Field in Berea at 4:00 p.m.
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