Cornell College Men's Baseball

Robbie Dombrowski was named Cornell College's head baseball coach in July 2022.  The Rams topped the 20-win mark in each of Dombrowski's first two seasons. The 2024 squad finished 23-18 -- the third-most wins in program history -- and secured the program's first Midwest Conference Tournament berth since 2019. Cornell went 21-19 in Dombrowski's first season on the Hilltop. Cornell has landed eight all-MWC performers and three all-region selections under Dombrowski's direction.  A 2018 St. Norbert College graduate and three-year starting catcher for the Green Knights, Dombrowski arrived in Mount Vernon following successful NCAA Division I coaching stints at University of Evansville and Central Michigan University.   Dombrowski served as hitting coach during a break-through 2022 season at Evansville. The Purple Aces finished 32-24 overall, placed second in the Missouri Valley Conference and shattered the school record for home runs in a season with 77. Evansville ranked among the league leaders in all offensive categories and landed four all-MVC players under Dombrowski’s guidance.   Dombrowski was Director of Baseball Operations at Central Michigan in 2020-21. CMU won the 2021 Mid-American Conference and advanced to the regional final, bowing out with a 42-18 record.   Dombrowski was a four-year letterwinner and two-time team captain at St. Norbert. As a junior, he played a key role on the Green Knights’ record-breaking 2017 squad that won the MWC Tournament, qualified for the NCAAs and finished 30-13. Dombrowski compiled career totals of 101 hits, 73 RBIs and 61 runs.   St. Norbert won 94 games and finished 47-17 in MWC play during Dombrowski’s four playing seasons in De Pere, Wis. The Green Knights claimed MWC North Division titles in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Dombrowski played for Tom Winske, the MWC’s all-time leader for baseball coaching wins.     Dombrowski was a member of the Dean’s List and an academic all-MWC performer. He also earned two varsity letters in football for the Green Knights.   Dombrowski earned bachelor’s degrees from St. Norbert in biopsychology and communication and media studies. He obtained his master’s in sports administration from Belhaven (Jackson, Miss.) University in 2020.   Dombrowski served as hitting and catching coach at Belhaven (2018-19). He returned to St. Norbert in 2019-20 as assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator.   Dombrowski was head coach for collegiate summer teams in the Dairyland Collegiate League, Ohio Valley League and Western Canadian Baseball League. His 2021 team, the Creek Mapaches, won the Dairyland Collegiate League.   Dombrowski attended Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wis. He led his prep baseball team to the 2013 state tournament and played in the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-Star Classic.    Dombrowski is motivated to continue his winning ways by instilling a fun culture on and off the field at Cornell.   “I want every kid that comes through our program to feel that they’ve had the most fun playing baseball in their life,” Dombrowski said. “They can expect a high-energy guy that will give them my best effort every day. I want them to know this is their program, just as much as it is mine. I want them to see their full potential.   “There are no limits for Cornell College baseball. We can take this thing as far as we want to go. I want our players to believe that.”

Fleckenstein comes to the Hilltop after serving 11 years as head baseball coach of the Iowa City Youth Select Program (ages 8-14). He guided teams to World Series runner-up finishes in 2014 and 2015, while also qualifying for the 2012 World Series. Fleckenstein was a two-time all-state performer at Dubuque Hempstead High School, where the Mustangs reached the Class 4A Iowa State Tournament his final two seasons in 1990 and 1991. In the spring of 1991, Fleckenstein was selected as an outfielder in the 41st round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. After a brief stint with the Brewers, he enjoyed a successful playing career at St. Ambrose University from 1992-96. Fleckenstein was a four-year starter for the Fighting Bees, playing third base, first base and catcher. Fleckenstein helped St. Ambrose to a runner-up showing in the 1994 NAIA College World Series, which marked the first World Series appearance in program history. The 1994 squad finished the season 38-25. The Fighting Bees returned to the World Series in 1996, placing third during Fleckensteins final collegiate season. That team finished the year 42-19. In 2013, Fleckenstein and members of the 1994 and 1996 teams were inducted into the St. Ambrose Athletics Hall of Fame.    In the summer of 1996, Fleckenstein spent three months in the Kansas City Royals organization before ending his professional playing career. Fleckenstein earned his bachelors degree in Design from St. Ambrose in 1996. He currently serves as Senior Project Manager for Communications Engineering Company out of Hiawatha. Fleckenstein and his wife Sandra reside in Mount Vernon. Mike has twin children, Nicholas and Grace, 15.     Shulista is in his third season on Cornell's staff as pitching coach. Shulista has been part of a successful baseball run at Solon High School as assistant coach since 2007. The Spartans have made six appearances in the Iowa State Tournament under Shulistas guidance, highlighted by state championships in 2010 (Class 2A) and 2011 (3A). Solon reached the state semifinals in 2016, 2009 and 2008, while also qualifying in 2014. Shulista has helped send six of his pitchers to collegiate programs, including two at the Division I level. In 2011, he was named Southeast District Assistant Coach of the Year by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. Shulista was a four-year letterwinner and pitcher at Mount Mercy College. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1987. Shulista and his wife Karen reside in Solon. They have two sons: Brandon and Aaron.

Konicek was named assistant baseball coach at Cornell College in July 2025. Konicek returns to his alma mater, where he was a four-year member of the Rams baseball program and earned his degree in kinesiology in 2023. Prior to his return to Mount Vernon, Konicek served as a graduate assistant coach at NCAA Division II Southwest Minnesota State University. He was responsible for developing the catchers group, assisting with hitters and recruiting, and coaching first base.  Konicek gained NCAA Division I experience as the Director of Baseball Operations at Utah Valley University during the 2023-24 season. There, he led all aspects of team operations, managed travel logistics, assisted in recruiting coordination, and prepared scouting reports. In the 2025 summer, Konicek served as the head coach of the Omaha Filthballers in the Corn Belt League.  Konicek has also coached at the high school level, most recently with Pleasant Valley (Iowa) High School, helping guide the program to a 2023 Mississippi Athletic Conference title and a 2024 state tournament berth. He also served as an assistant at Mount Vernon High School during the 2022 season.  

Fishler joined Cornell's baseball staff in Fall 2022 after serving as hitting coach/third base coach at Grinnell College for eight years. Fishler was Cornell's head baseball coach for eight seasons (2002-09) and ranks No. 2 on the program's all-time coaching list for wins with 140. Fishler's 2003 Cornell team set a school record for wins in a season with a 27-15 mark and finished second in the Iowa Conference. During his first stint at Cornell, Fishler also served as assistant football coach and was an instructor in the physical education department.  Prior to his time in Grinnell, Fisher was assistant baseball coach for five seasons at Mount Mercy College, including one year as interim head coach.   Fishler was also head baseball coach for eight seasons at Midland High School in Wyoming, Iowa, and assisted his alma mater, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, for four seasons. He and his wife, Meg, reside in Mount Vernon with their son, Gunnar.

Soper returned to Cornell’s baseball staff in Fall 2023, after serving as an assistant for the Rams from 2006-09.   Soper was head varsity baseball coach at Monticello High School from 2011-18, earning River Valley Conference Coach of the Year accolades in 2017 and 2018. He was selected Ed Thomas Coach of the Week during the 2016 season.   Soper was pitching coach at NAIA’s Mount Mercy University (2013-15) and head varsity coach at Midland High School (2007-09). While at Midland, he was voted 2008 Big East Conference Coach of the Year.   Soper resides in rural Jones County with his wife, Adriel, son, DJ, and golden retriever, Buddy.  

Robbie Dombrowski was named Cornell College's head baseball coach in July 2022.    Dombrowski, a 2018 St. Norbert College graduate and three-year starting catcher for the Green Knights, comes to the Hilltop following successful NCAA Division I coaching stints at University of Evansville and Central Michigan University.   For a young coach, this is an unbelievable opportunity and I cant wait to get started, said Dombrowski, a native of Delafield, Wis. I cant imagine walking into a better situation with administration who care about the program. The people are passionate about Cornell athletics. The closeness of the campus community is also a big thing for me.   Dombrowski served as hitting coach during a break-through 2022 season at Evansville. The Purple Aces finished 32-24 overall, placed second in the Missouri Valley Conference and shattered the school record for home runs in a season with 77. Evansville ranked among the league leaders in all offensive categories and landed four all-MVC players under Dombrowskis guidance.   We are very excited to have Robbie join our team at Cornell, said Cornell Interim Director of Athletics Jeff Meeker. Robbies collection of coaching experiences, his coaching philosophy and familiarity with Midwest Conference baseball stood out. Most impressive is his energy and enthusiasm for leading our baseball team. He has a clear vision for success and his approach will impact the young men in our program.   Dombrowski was Director of Baseball Operations at Central Michigan in 2020-21. CMU won the 2021 Mid-American Conference and advanced to the regional final, bowing out with a 42-18 record.   Dombrowski was a four-year letterwinner and two-time team captain at St. Norbert. As a junior, he played a key role on the Green Knights record-breaking 2017 squad that won the MWC Tournament, qualified for the NCAAs and finished 30-13. Dombrowski compiled career totals of 101 hits, 73 RBIs and 61 runs.   St. Norbert won 94 games and finished 47-17 in MWC play during Dombrowskis four playing seasons in De Pere, Wis. The Green Knights claimed MWC North Division titles in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Dombrowski played for Tom Winske, the MWCs all-time leader for baseball coaching wins.     I think my experience in the Midwest Conference is going to pay dividends, Dombrowski said. My expectation is to win the thing regularly. I know the talent is there to do it. Cornell has the foundation in place.   Dombrowski was a member of the Deans List and an academic all-MWC performer. He also earned two varsity letters in football for the Green Knights.   Dombrowski earned bachelors degrees from St. Norbert in biopsychology and communication and media studies. He obtained his masters in sports administration from Belhaven (Jackson, Miss.) University in 2020.   Dombrowski served as hitting and catching coach at Belhaven (2018-19). He returned to St. Norbert in 2019-20 as assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator.   Dombrowski was head coach for collegiate summer teams in the Dairyland Collegiate League, Ohio Valley League and Western Canadian Baseball League. His 2021 team, the Creek Mapaches, won the Dairyland Collegiate League.   Dombrowski attended Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wis. He led his prep baseball team to the 2013 state tournament and played in the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-Star Classic.    Dombrowski is motivated to continue his winning ways by instilling a fun culture on and off the field at Cornell.   I want every kid that comes through our program to feel that theyve had the most fun playing baseball in their life, Dombrowski said. They can expect a high-energy guy that will give them my best effort every day. I want them to know this is their program, just as much as it is mine. I want them to see their full potential.   There are no limits for Cornell College baseball. We can take this thing as far as we want to go. I want our players to believe that.