The Case Western Reserve University baseball senior class of 2020 – pitcher Scott Kutschke, first baseman Casey McConihe, outfielder Noah Mehrle, outfielder Samuel Neal and pitcher Paul Slota - was about as different a group of individuals as you could find. They were each different players with different roles on the team and playing styles. Their personalities were all different. Even their majors were different. However, they came together through their love of baseball to form a cohesive unit that led the team to a 72-46 overall record, a UAA Championship in 2018, and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2019.
"Those five have been through a lot with us and have been a big part of a lot of good times," said Head Coach Matt Englander. "They are close, but are all unique in how they play, what positions they play and what they study. However, they came together and that has led to a lot of success."
McConihe, Neal and Mehrle were the hitters of the group, each seeing success during their times on the team, albeit in different ways and through different paths. McConihe was working on his second-straight All-UAA honor when the 2020 season was cancelled, ending the campaign with a .361 average, including a walk-off single in an extra-inning win over Alfred State on March 9. Maybe the most-improved player of the group from the time he arrived on campus, Neal went from playing in just two games his first year to starting most in centerfield over the next three seasons, and ended his career as a .281 hitter. Mehrle was a presence in the lineup from the start, driving in 47 runs over his 99 games played, and notching a career average of .268.
The story was the same for the two pitchers. One of the most durable arms on the team, Kutschke, a lefty, was a force out of the bullpen, notching 10 saves and a 2.66 ERA over his career, while appearing in 40 games and going 8-2. Slota provided a right-handed punch in relief for CWRU, and was a key factor in the team's success in 2019, when he tallied a 2.08 ERA over nine games in relief.
However, while the class' diverse talents had an impact on the team's wins on the field, they also had an impact off the field.
"We were not exactly the prototypical Spartan senior class with loud voices and large personalities, but we feel we still were able to lead the youngsters and teach them the Spartan Way through the manner that we carried ourselves on a daily basis," said McConihe. "We went through a lot and were still able to keep the program successful."
"I think that our class was very unique," added Slota. "We all had different qualities and strengths that allowed each of us to lead in a variety of ways."
"We are a weird group of dudes," said Mehrle. "All five of us are different. We each have our own personalities, but they gel together super well."
While they all had different personalities, the bond they all shared was the baseball team, which was one of the defining experiences of their collegiate careers.
"There was brotherhood of being on the team that will extend past graduation," said Kutschke.
"Playing baseball at Case made me realize that I could do things that I never thought I could," said Slota. "The daily grind of playing sports in college is challenging and draining, but being around a core group of guys with similar hard-working mindsets made it possible for me to achieve my goals. Whether it was physically or academically, teammates were always there for one another to push each other to reach team and personal goals. Our success on the field and in the classroom is definitely a testament to this."
"Playing baseball at CWRU was a dream come true," said McConihe. "My whole life I dreamed of playing baseball in college and I am extremely fortunate for Case to have given me the opportunity to do that. Most of my favorite memories of college come from baseball and I would argue that all of my best friends from college are because of baseball. I wouldn't change my experiences for the world."
While the memories might be fond, the ending came earlier than expected in South Carolina on March 12. Things were starting to click for the team, which had just won its third-straight game, defeating Roger Williams 12-3 at the Spartan Southern Classic, and had outscored their opponents 29-8 during the stretch. However, just minutes after walking off the field, the announcement came from the NCAA that all Winter and Spring Championships had been cancelled due to the CoVID-19 pandemic, effectively putting an end to their senior season.
"They have handled the situation with as much grace as they possibly can," said Englander. "They have been nothing but terrific through all of it."
"Having my final season cut short was definitely unforeseen and unexpected," said Slota. "Realizing that I will never be in that same environment again competing with that group of guys every day is sad and still hasn't fully set in yet. I find some comfort knowing that I gave everything I had and I am so thankful for everything that my baseball experience at CWRU has afforded me."
"When it became apparent that season would be coming to an end prematurely, it was devastating," said McConihe. But, after getting over the emotional part of all of this, I sat down and thought about it all. We still had a lot of fun this year and were about as close knit of a group as any team I was a part of. I also realized that there is nothing to worry about in terms as the 'state of the union' of the program. This team is the best group of guys on campus, and because of that they can handle anything thrown at them and still figure out a way to succeed. That is what being a Spartan is all about and I will always be proud and honored to call myself one."
Meanwhile, the future ahead is bright for the group, which is slated to graduate from CWRU in May.
"We are thrilled to have them be graduating seniors, but sad the season was cut short," said Englander. We are grateful to have had them on the team, and excited to see what they will accomplish after graduating."
"With this pandemic and just about everything else in life, you never know when life is going to throw you a curveball," said Mehrle. "You can't buckle your knees and take it. You got to stay in the box and smack it."
To view all of our Spartan Stories, go to https://athletics.case.edu/general/2019-20/releases/20200330fk1oeq.
