Poland’s senior catcher Svetlak does it all

By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

POLAND

When asked, his teammates will tell you that Ricky Svetlak looks more like an unassuming member of this year’s Poland baseball team.

They also go on record as saying that once he hits the field, his play is anything but unassuming.

A four-year letterwinner and two-time All-American Conference first-team selection for the Bulldogs (27-2), Svetlak has been helping prepare Poland’s pitchers for Friday’s Division II state semifinal against three-time state champion Columbus Bishop Watterson (24-8).

According to Svetlak, earning the school’s first trip in 32 years to the “Final Four” with a chance now to play for a state title has been a most rewarding journey.

“Everyone on this team wants to be here. The state has been a goal of ours since the very first day of practice,” Svetlak said. “We felt like we had a good team from the very start, but team chemistry still had to be developed, which we did on our spring trip to Florida. We were able to bond on that trip and since then we’ve played solid defense, gotten excellent pitching and most of all timely hitting. We’re definitely playing our best ball heading to state.”

Svetlak leads Poland with a .522 average and is tops in RBIs (38) and home runs (two).

His on-base percentage is nearly .750 and he leads the team in both walks (19) and hit by pitch (nine), which translates into reaching base another 28 times without his bat ever touching the horsehide.

According to head coach Rich Murray, Svetlak’s strength is that he takes the extraordinary play and makes it look simple and routine.

“The biggest thing is that Ricky knows how to work a pitcher. He’s our quarterback on the field defensively and has the unique ability to make all stops look routine,” Murray said. “During our two regional games we scored four runs off of balls that opposing catchers could not handle. Conversely, Ricky saved runs for us by making those stops.”

Murray added that Svetlak is the one player cognizant of everything that is going on around him.

“He’s a student of the game and knows all the given situations — he’s always thinking ahead,” Murray said. “He keeps our pitchers level-headed and knows when, and most especially when not to go visit them on the mound. He’s like having another coach on the field.”

Assistant coach Chris Martin, a former catcher for Springfield Local who has made three trips to the state tournament as an assistant with the Tigers, also coached Svetlak in the summer Class B League with with Dura-Edge.

“More than anything, Ricky wants a team championship. That is what he’s worked for during his entire high school career because he cares about team first and doesn’t care much about individual success,” Martin said. “He also has a tremendous work ethic.”

Teammate Marty Malenic, who will draw Friday’s starting assignment in right field, said his friendship with Svetlak dates to their preschool days.

Both will attend the University of Akron in the fall and room together as Zips undergraduates.

“Ricky is a great leader; someone that our younger players look up to. He’s a great example of how to handle yourself both on and off the field and how to play the game,” Malenic said.

Junior Jared Burkert (6-0, 1.85 ERA) will draw the starting assignment against the Eagles. Svetlak said Bukert plays like he practices.

“Jared is a hard worker with plenty of talent,” he said. “He comes ready to play, whether it is in practice or a game and we’ll need that on Friday.”

In addition to Burkert, Svetlak is also set to work with pitchers Adam Knight (9-0), Eric White (4-0), Matt Baker (3-0), Dan Klase (2-1), Pad O’Shaughnessy (1-1), Mark Passarello (1-0) and Don Drummond (1-0) as needed.

“Coach [Ryan] Gesacion calls the game and I just relay the signals,” Svetlak said. “To be called a coach on the field really makes me feel good. I want to be the leader that points us in the right direction.”

Game time with the Eagles is set for 10 a.m. at Huntington Park in Columbus.