HAMILTON — The Hamilton Joes spent much of June searching for consistency.
By the time July arrived, they had found it.
Behind a dominant stretch that saw them win 13 of 15 games, the Joes rallied into the postseason and advanced to the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League South Division Championship Series before their season ended to the Grand Lake Mariners.
Hamilton finished 21-19 in Davis Schaefer’s first season as manager and a campaign defined by resilience. The Joes overcame a slow start, injuries and constant roster turnover to finish among the league’s top teams.
“I had a great experience,” Schaefer said. “I’d like to thank the kids, obviously, but the coaches too. I had three assistant coaches that were at everything — doing scouting reports and pouring themselves into the guys. I also have to thank Darrel (Grissom) and the board for giving me the opportunity.”
Hamilton’s pitching staff settled into defined roles after several Division I pitchers arrived limited by college workload restrictions and were initially able to throw only a few innings per outing.
“As those guys got stretched out, our pitching really caught up,” Schaefer said. “Once we figured out who complemented each other and got consistent starts, that really changed things.”
Hamilton’s surge vaulted the club into the playoffs, where it met eventual champion Grand Lake.
Knowing the Mariners featured one of the league’s deepest pitching staffs, Schaefer adjusted the Joes’ preparation by emphasizing high-velocity fastballs, sinking pitches and situational offense in practice.
The plan nearly worked.
After dropping the opener, Hamilton forced a decisive third game before injuries and fatigue finally caught up.
“We played the last three weeks with seven healthy players,” Schaefer said. “That’s not an excuse because Grand Lake deserved it, but I wish we had a little more in the tank. The boys gave me everything they had.”
The Joes also were well represented at the GLSCL All-Star Game with 10 selections.
Hamilton produced four starters in Ryder Kirtley, Brady Bowen, Owen McKoon and South Division starting pitcher Sam Eppley.
Reserve selections Parker Falkenstein, Hudson Boring, Alex Koelling and Dale Ellis all appeared in the game, while AJ Beggs was selected but missed the event to attend his brother’s graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy.
“It is weird juggling different rosters,” Schaefer said. “But it’s fun when everybody shows up wanting to do the same thing and they’re all really good players from really good schools.
“I kind of put it on myself. Hopefully next year we can make a deeper run.”
