Danny Schmitz to coach against his son (04-16-14)

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Danny Schmitz

When Bowling Green Falcon baseball coach Danny Schmitz looks across the field this weekend, he’ll see a
familiar face in Akron’s dugout.
His son, Spencer.
The father and son will go head to head when their teams play Friday, Saturday and Sunday in a
Mid-American Conference series at Akron.
Danny Schmitz is in his 24th season as BG’s head coach, while his son is in his first season as an
assistant Akron.
Spencer Schmitz moved to Akron after serving as an assistant under his dad for six seasons.
The only times the two have coached against each other was in the Brown and Orange World Series, which
concludes BG’s fall practices each year.
"It’s exciting, but it’s going to be different," the elder Schmitz said. "It should be a
lot of fun."
The two still talk on the phone 2-3 times each week and they check the results of each other’s games as
soon as their own game is over.
"It’ll be a hard week for both of us," said Spencer Schmitz, who played for the Falcons from
2001-04. "I can’t say I’m really looking forward to it a lot."
Danny Schmitz said BG will change its offensive and defensive signs for the series because his son knows
those signs.
"This is something we knew would happen at some point this year," Spencer Schmitz said.
"Both teams will go out and compete to the best of their ability and may the best team win.
Cindy Schmitz, Danny’s wife and Spencer mom, will be at the final two games.
"There’s no doubt she’ll be rooting for the Falcons and that’s all right because I know she won’t be
rooting against us, either," Spencer Schmitz said.

Spencer Schmitz

SERIES: The Akron series marks the second of three straight series against the MAC leaders for BG. The
Falcons are tied with Miami at 5-7 for fourth-place in the MAC East Division.
Akron and Kent are tied for the East lead at 9-3, while Buffalo is third at 5-4.
The Falcons lost two of their three games at home last weekend West leader Central Michigan.
BG hosts Kent next week and visits Buffalo to finish the regular season May 15-16-17.
BG is 13-19 overall, although it returned virtually all of the key players from last season’s MAC
tournament champion.
"We haven’t had all three phases (pitching, defense and hitting) on a consistent basis," Danny
Schmitz said.
The top eight teams in the MAC, regardless of division, qualify for the conference tournament. The
Falcons are in a four-way tie for sixth place in the MAC overall.
ZIPS: Akron, 19-14 overall, has won five straight games and is 12-4 in its last 16 games. The Zips are
6-2 in one-run games.
PITCHING: BG is seventh in the MAC with a 4.97 earned-run average – compared to 3.83 last season.
"Pitching was our rock last season," Danny Schmitz said. "If we’re going to go anywhere
this year, (our pitchers) need to be our strength and pitch the way they’re capable of," Schmitz
said.
RELIABLE: Despite a 2-4 record, BG’s Mike Frank has pitched well with a 3.66 earned-run average.
The fifth-year senior right-hander has pitched 51 2/3 innings, allowing 44 hits and 16 walks with 36
strikeouts.
"He’s been outstanding," Danny Schmitz said. "He’s been really aggressive, attacking the
hitters and pitching with a lot of confidence."
Junior reliever Jason Link also has pitched well, posting a 1.96 ERA in 23 innings.
HOT: Junior shortstop Brian Bien leads BG with a .353 batting average. He hit .345 as a freshman, but
batted only .295 last season after hurting his ankle during intramural football during the fall of his
sophomore year.
"He’s finally healthy. He’s been very good for us offensively and defensively," Danny Schmitz
said.
OUT: Danny Schmitz said senior outfielder Andrew Kubuski will be "out for a while" with a
concussion.
He was hurt during a collision with a teammate when the two were shagging balls during batting practice
last weekend.
Kubuski has a .293 average and is "one of the "best defensive left fielders in the
conference," Danny Schmitz said.

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