BASEBALL TAKES THE DOUBTERS AND WINS … AND WINS

The Viking baseball team was not considered a threat in the Great Plains Athletic Conference in 2001 when a talented recruiting class of 45 debuted. They weren’t. But with the addition of an outstanding pitching staff in 2002, the team had the most overall wins of any team in the conference, where they ended fourth, and obtained numerous school records and post-season honors.

With those pitchers absent from the 2003 roster, Dana couldn’t get any respect and were picked to seventh out of 12 in the conference. That ranking was fuel to the fire for this team, who refused to go unnoticed any longer.

If their pitchers were gone, they would have to do it through offense. The Vikings pounded away at their GPAC opponents with a .314 team batting average. With the talent of Mark Listenberger (.407 batting average, 10 home runs and 64 RBIs), team leadership of pitcher/shortstop Kenny Nicoll (batting .356) and the experience of Paul Langenegger (has started 171 consecutive games for the Vikings), the team rolled to its first GPAC championship with an overall conference record of 22-5.

Even better, continuity will not be a problem for next year’s squad. Assistant coach Chad Gorman will move into the head position (see page 18). Nicoll, Langenegger and Listenberger, who was named GPAC player of the year, are all returning. Chris Zachgo, a consistently strong player, returns as a senior. Third baseman Steve Monigold’s fielding was top notch in 2003 and is being counted on to be the Vikings next powerhitter. Pitcher Ryan Hohanshelt will return with year of experience under his belt.

“Nothing is going to change (in our program),” Gorman said. “Every year there are changes and new challenges, but this team has proven it can overcome the challenges. There is a lot of talent on this team.”