By: Benjamin E. Lykens (Whetstone Staff Writer)

The Wolverine baseball team compiled a 23-9 record by April 12 and seemed prime for the playoffs.

Much of their success is due to three key senior players shortstop Robbie Benedict, starting pitcher D.J Keckler, and first baseman Geoff Kimmel.

Benedict leads the team with a .383 batting average and is currently fifth in the nation in runs scored with 40 and fourth in the nation with 29 stolen bases.

Benedict said he’s not interested in the national attention.

“I just go out there and try to do my best and play my game,” Benedict said. “I’m out there for the team first and myself second.”

Keckler, 5-3, has a 2.54 earned run average. Opponents are hitting only .197 against him and he leads the nation in complete games.

Keckler said that his success this year is mostly due to his new and improved off-season training program.

“I worked really hard in the off-season, working with the trainers to develop a better throwing program,” he said. “Obviously, we have a good record right now and we all attribute that to hard work.”

Kimmel, batting .377, has tied the school’s career doubles mark at 39.

Kimmel said that he has enjoyed his time as a Wolverine and is looking forward to a strong finish this season.

“It’s been a pleasure playing for these guys and for Coach Underwood,” he said. “We really started getting hot at the right time of the year.”

Head coach Brent Underwood said that his first year as a head coach has been successful so far but they aren’t done yet.

“Its been enjoyable because we have a veteran group of guys that have really bought into what we need to do to get where we want to go, the playoffs and hopefully the college world series,” he said.