Kent State University Men's Baseball

Duncan was named the head coach of Kent State baseball on June 25, 2013, by Director of Athletics, Joel Nielsen, following numerous years as a collegiate assistant coach and a lauded playing career. In eight years of college coaching, Duncan has worked with 16 position players who have been selected in the MLB Draft, including 2012 Big Ten Player of the Year Kevin Plawecki who was drafted in the first round and currently plays for the New York Mets. Duncan guided the Golden Flashes to a 31-21 record in 2015 including a Mid-American East Division title as the Flashes went 18-9 in conference play. Three of his players earned All-MAC recognition while two were named All-Region. Additionally, the team had eight Academic All-MAC students, the most for the program since the award was first given out in 1972. Sophomore Jared Skolnicki led the way in the classroom as he earned Academic All-America honors, just the third student to be named such in program history. In his first year at the helm, Duncan led Kent State to a 36-23 season and a NCAA postseason apperance after a four-game sweep of the Mid-American Conference Tournament.  His offense belted 22 triples, tying the most in any single season dating back to 1970.  Four Golden Flashes earned All-MAC honors while two were named All-Region.  Duncan also developed senior Cody Koch into a MAC Tournament MVP and NCAA All-Tournament honoree. Three three-year players were drafted in the 2014 MLB Draft. In the classroom, Kent State continued its academic success. Six student-athletes were named Academic All-MAC.  Duncan also had a student earn All-District Academic honors while the team maintained a cumulative grade point average above 3.1.  The team posted its third-best spring semester GPA in recorded history. Before coming to Kent State, Duncan spent four seasons at Purdue, helping lead the team to a school-record 45 wins in 2012, including a Big Ten Regular Season Championship, Big Ten Tournament Championship and a NCAA Regional Host.  He was named associate head coach in September of 2012.  Duncan was named the assistant in the Big Ten most ready for a head coaching job by College Baseball Insider and was listed as one of the top assistant coaches in the nation by Baseball America.   While a part of the Boilermakers program, Duncan served as the hitting, base running and outfield coach and also as the recruiting coordinator.  He signed three recruiting classes that were ranked nationally by Collegiate Baseball Magazine.  He helped lead the Purdue program to 133 wins in his four years on staff.   Prior to Purdue, Duncan was an assistant coach at Auburn University from August 2008-September 2009 where he served as the third base coach and assisted with the team's offense and outfielders.  While there, he coached nine position players that were drafted by Major League Baseball and helped the team set a single-season record of 103 home runs.   Duncan played baseball professionally for nine seasons in the Mets, Padres, Blue Jays and Dodgers organizations.  He spent two of those years at the Major League level with the Mets during the 2003 and 2004 seasons.  Duncan was also a three-time All-Star selection while in the Minor Leagues.  He was drafted twice: in the seventh round by the Mets in 2000 and in the 1997 MLB Draft by the Cubs out of high school.   Before going pro, Duncan played baseball at Arizona State.  Batting .360 in his career as a Sun Devil, Duncan was captain of the 2000 team that went on to win a PAC-10 Championship.   Duncan and his wife Lauren have a son, Bryce, and daughter, Shea. What They Are Saying About Jeff Duncan:   "I am looking forward to the opportunity to work side-by-side with Coach Duncan as we move this program to greater heights.  Jeff was a terrific player in his collegiate and professional careers and has transitioned into a highly respected coach who has demonstrated a tireless work ethic in regards to evaluating, recruiting and developing student-athletes.  He has a strong passion for baseball and I am very excited about the future of this program with Coach Duncan as the head coach" Mike Birkbeck Kent State associate head coach   "I am thrilled that Kent State has decided to hire Jeff Duncan as their next head baseball coach.  He was an excellent player and I believe he is an even better coach.  The Golden Flashes will continue to be championship contenders under the direction of Coach Duncan." Scott Stricklin Georgia head coach Kent State head coach, 2005-2013   "Jeff will do an outstanding job leading the Kent State baseball program.  He has a wealth of baseball experience, is a tireless recruiter, and one of the best persons and competitors that I have been around." Doug Schreiber Purdue head coach   "Jeff's track record recruiting high quality student-athletes and developing them on the field speaks for itself.  I have seen first-hand the outstanding work he has done at Purdue University.  The coach in me knows this is a great hire and the alum in me is excited to see that the history and tradition of Kent State Baseball in good hands." Greg Beals Ohio State head coach   "I think he's one of the finest young assistant coaches in college baseball.  He is very deserving of this opportunity and will make a fine head coach for Kent State." Mac Seibert Regional Scouting Supervisor, New York Mets   "Jeff Duncan will join a long list of outstanding coaches at Kent State.  I believe he will do a tremendous job and continue the great tradition of their baseball program." Dave Keilitz Executive Director, American Baseball Coaches Association   "Jeff is a guy who reached the highest level as a player, and as good of a player and coach as he is, he's an even better person.  Everyone who's known him as a coach knows what a great job he'll do." Mike Rooney College baseball analyst, ESPNU Arizona State assistant coach, 1998-2004   Jeff Duncan Head Coach Jeff Duncan was named the head coach of Kent State baseball on June 25, 2013, by Director of Athletics, Joel Nielsen, following numerous years as a collegiate assistant coach and a lauded playing career. In eight years of college coaching, Duncan has worked with 16 position players who have been selected in the MLB Draft, including 2012 Big Ten Player of the Year Kevin Plawecki who was drafted in the first round and currently plays for the New York Mets. Duncan guided the Golden Flashes to a 31-21 record in 2015 including a Mid-American East Division title as the Flashes went 18-9 in conference play. Three of his players earned All-MAC recognition while two were named All-Region. Additionally, the team had eight Academic All-MAC students, the most for the program since the award was first given out in 1972. Sophomore Jared Skolnicki led the way in the classroom as he earned Academic All-America honors, just the third student to be named such in program history. In his first year at the helm, Duncan led Kent State to a 36-23 season and a NCAA postseason apperance after a four-game sweep of the Mid-American Conference Tournament.  His offense belted 22 triples, tying the most in any single season dating back to 1970.  Four Golden Flashes earned All-MAC honors while two were named All-Region.  Duncan also developed senior Cody Koch into a MAC Tournament MVP and NCAA All-Tournament honoree. Three three-year players were drafted in the 2014 MLB Draft. In the classroom, Kent State continued its academic success. Six student-athletes were named Academic All-MAC.  Duncan also had a student earn All-District Academic honors while the team maintained a cumulative grade point average above 3.1.  The team posted its third-best spring semester GPA in recorded history. Before coming to Kent State, Duncan spent four seasons at Purdue, helping lead the team to a school-record 45 wins in 2012, including a Big Ten Regular Season Championship, Big Ten Tournament Championship and a NCAA Regional Host.  He was named associate head coach in September of 2012.  Duncan was named the assistant in the Big Ten most ready for a head coaching job by College Baseball Insider and was listed as one of the top assistant coaches in the nation by Baseball America.   While a part of the Boilermakers program, Duncan served as the hitting, base running and outfield coach and also as the recruiting coordinator.  He signed three recruiting classes that were ranked nationally by Collegiate Baseball Magazine.  He helped lead the Purdue program to 133 wins in his four years on staff.   Prior to Purdue, Duncan was an assistant coach at Auburn University from August 2008-September 2009 where he served as the third base coach and assisted with the team's offense and outfielders.  While there, he coached nine position players that were drafted by Major League Baseball and helped the team set a single-season record of 103 home runs.   Duncan played baseball professionally for nine seasons in the Mets, Padres, Blue Jays and Dodgers organizations.  He spent two of those years at the Major League level with the Mets during the 2003 and 2004 seasons.  Duncan was also a three-time All-Star selection while in the Minor Leagues.  He was drafted twice: in the seventh round by the Mets in 2000 and in the 1997 MLB Draft by the Cubs out of high school.   Before going pro, Duncan played baseball at Arizona State.  Batting .360 in his career as a Sun Devil, Duncan was captain of the 2000 team that went on to win a PAC-10 Championship.   Duncan and his wife Lauren have a son, Bryce, and daughter, Shea. What They Are Saying About Jeff Duncan:   "I am looking forward to the opportunity to work side-by-side with Coach Duncan as we move this program to greater heights.  Jeff was a terrific player in his collegiate and professional careers and has transitioned into a highly respected coach who has demonstrated a tireless work ethic in regards to evaluating, recruiting and developing student-athletes.  He has a strong passion for baseball and I am very excited about the future of this program with Coach Duncan as the head coach" Mike Birkbeck Kent State associate head coach   "I am thrilled that Kent State has decided to hire Jeff Duncan as their next head baseball coach.  He was an excellent player and I believe he is an even better coach.  The Golden Flashes will continue to be championship contenders under the direction of Coach Duncan." Scott Stricklin Georgia head coach Kent State head coach, 2005-2013   "Jeff will do an outstanding job leading the Kent State baseball program.  He has a wealth of baseball experience, is a tireless recruiter, and one of the best persons and competitors that I have been around." Doug Schreiber Purdue head coach   "Jeff's track record recruiting high quality student-athletes and developing them on the field speaks for itself.  I have seen first-hand the outstanding work he has done at Purdue University.  The coach in me knows this is a great hire and the alum in me is excited to see that the history and tradition of Kent State Baseball in good hands." Greg Beals Ohio State head coach   "I think he's one of the finest young assistant coaches in college baseball.  He is very deserving of this opportunity and will make a fine head coach for Kent State." Mac Seibert Regional Scouting Supervisor, New York Mets   "Jeff Duncan will join a long list of outstanding coaches at Kent State.  I believe he will do a tremendous job and continue the great tradition of their baseball program." Dave Keilitz Executive Director, American Baseball Coaches Association   "Jeff is a guy who reached the highest level as a player, and as good of a player and coach as he is, he's an even better person.  Everyone who's known him as a coach knows what a great job he'll do." Mike Rooney College baseball analyst, ESPNU Arizona State assistant coach, 1998-2004   Jeff Duncan Head Coach Jeff Duncan was named the head coach of Kent State baseball on June 25, 2013, by Director of Athletics, Joel Nielsen, following numerous years as a collegiate assistant coach and a lauded playing career. In eight years of college coaching, Duncan has worked with 16 position players who have been selected in the MLB Draft, including 2012 Big Ten Player of the Year Kevin Plawecki who was drafted in the first round and currently plays for the New York Mets. Duncan guided the Golden Flashes to a 31-21 record in 2015 including a Mid-American East Division title as the Flashes went 18-9 in conference play. Three of his players earned All-MAC recognition while two were named All-Region. Additionally, the team had eight Academic All-MAC students, the most for the program since the award was first given out in 1972. Sophomore Jared Skolnicki led the way in the classroom as he earned Academic All-America honors, just the third student to be named such in program history. In his first year at the helm, Duncan led Kent State to a 36-23 season and a NCAA postseason apperance after a four-game sweep of the Mid-American Conference Tournament.  His offense belted 22 triples, tying the most in any single season dating back to 1970.  Four Golden Flashes earned All-MAC honors while two were named All-Region.  Duncan also developed senior Cody Koch into a MAC Tournament MVP and NCAA All-Tournament honoree. Three three-year players were drafted in the 2014 MLB Draft. In the classroom, Kent State continued its academic success. Six student-athletes were named Academic All-MAC.  Duncan also had a student earn All-District Academic honors while the team maintained a cumulative grade point average above 3.1.  The team posted its third-best spring semester GPA in recorded history. Before coming to Kent State, Duncan spent four seasons at Purdue, helping lead the team to a school-record 45 wins in 2012, including a Big Ten Regular Season Championship, Big Ten Tournament Championship and a NCAA Regional Host.  He was named associate head coach in September of 2012.  Duncan was named the assistant in the Big Ten most ready for a head coaching job by College Baseball Insider and was listed as one of the top assistant coaches in the nation by Baseball America.   While a part of the Boilermakers program, Duncan served as the hitting, base running and outfield coach and also as the recruiting coordinator.  He signed three recruiting classes that were ranked nationally by Collegiate Baseball Magazine.  He helped lead the Purdue program to 133 wins in his four years on staff.   Prior to Purdue, Duncan was an assistant coach at Auburn University from August 2008-September 2009 where he served as the third base coach and assisted with the team's offense and outfielders.  While there, he coached nine position players that were drafted by Major League Baseball and helped the team set a single-season record of 103 home runs.   Duncan played baseball professionally for nine seasons in the Mets, Padres, Blue Jays and Dodgers organizations.  He spent two of those years at the Major League level with the Mets during the 2003 and 2004 seasons.  Duncan was also a three-time All-Star selection while in the Minor Leagues.  He was drafted twice: in the seventh round by the Mets in 2000 and in the 1997 MLB Draft by the Cubs out of high school.   Before going pro, Duncan played baseball at Arizona State.  Batting .360 in his career as a Sun Devil, Duncan was captain of the 2000 team that went on to win a PAC-10 Championship.   Duncan and his wife Lauren have a son, Bryce, and daughter, Shea. What They Are Saying About Jeff Duncan:   "I am looking forward to the opportunity to work side-by-side with Coach Duncan as we move this program to greater heights.  Jeff was a terrific player in his collegiate and professional careers and has transitioned into a highly respected coach who has demonstrated a tireless work ethic in regards to evaluating, recruiting and developing student-athletes.  He has a strong passion for baseball and I am very excited about the future of this program with Coach Duncan as the head coach" Mike Birkbeck Kent State associate head coach   "I am thrilled that Kent State has decided to hire Jeff Duncan as their next head baseball coach.  He was an excellent player and I believe he is an even better coach.  The Golden Flashes will continue to be championship contenders under the direction of Coach Duncan." Scott Stricklin Georgia head coach Kent State head coach, 2005-2013   "Jeff will do an outstanding job leading the Kent State baseball program.  He has a wealth of baseball experience, is a tireless recruiter, and one of the best persons and competitors that I have been around." Doug Schreiber Purdue head coach   "Jeff's track record recruiting high quality student-athletes and developing them on the field speaks for itself.  I have seen first-hand the outstanding work he has done at Purdue University.  The coach in me knows this is a great hire and the alum in me is excited to see that the history and tradition of Kent State Baseball in good hands." Greg Beals Ohio State head coach   "I think he's one of the finest young assistant coaches in college baseball.  He is very deserving of this opportunity and will make a fine head coach for Kent State." Mac Seibert Regional Scouting Supervisor, New York Mets   "Jeff Duncan will join a long list of outstanding coaches at Kent State.  I believe he will do a tremendous job and continue the great tradition of their baseball program." Dave Keilitz Executive Director, American Baseball Coaches Association   "Jeff is a guy who reached the highest level as a player, and as good of a player and coach as he is, he's an even better person.  Everyone who's known him as a coach knows what a great job he'll do." Mike Rooney College baseball analyst, ESPNU Arizona State assistant coach, 1998-2004   Before coming to Kent State, Duncan spent four seasons at Purdue, helping lead the team to a school-record 45 wins in 2012, including a Big Ten Regular Season Championship, Big Ten Tournament Championship and a NCAA Regional Host.  He was named associate head coach in September of 2012.  Duncan was named the assistant in the Big Ten most ready for a head coaching job by College Baseball Insider and was listed as one of the top assistant coaches in the nation by Baseball America.   While a part of the Boilermakers program, Duncan served as the hitting, base running and outfield coach and also as the recruiting coordinator.  He signed three recruiting classes that were ranked nationally by Collegiate Baseball Magazine.  He helped lead the Purdue program to 133 wins in his four years on staff.   Prior to Purdue, Duncan was an assistant coach at Auburn University from August 2008-September 2009 where he served as the third base coach and assisted with the team's offense and outfielders.  While there, he coached nine position players that were drafted by Major League Baseball and helped the team set a single-season record of 103 home runs.   Duncan played baseball professionally for nine seasons in the Mets, Padres, Blue Jays and Dodgers organizations.  He spent two of those years at the Major League level with the Mets during the 2003 and 2004 seasons.  Duncan was also a three-time All-Star selection while in the Minor Leagues.  He was drafted twice: in the seventh round by the Mets in 2000 and in the 1997 MLB Draft by the Cubs out of high school.   Before going pro, Duncan played baseball at Arizona State.  Batting .360 in his career as a Sun Devil, Duncan was captain of the 2000 team that went on to win a PAC-10 Championship.   Duncan and his wife Lauren have a son, Bryce, and daughter, Shea. What They Are Saying About Jeff Duncan:   "I am looking forward to the opportunity to work side-by-side with Coach Duncan as we move this program to greater heights.  Jeff was a terrific player in his collegiate and professional careers and has transitioned into a highly respected coach who has demonstrated a tireless work ethic in regards to evaluating, recruiting and developing student-athletes.  He has a strong passion for baseball and I am very excited about the future of this program with Coach Duncan as the head coach" Mike Birkbeck Kent State associate head coach   "I am thrilled that Kent State has decided to hire Jeff Duncan as their next head baseball coach.  He was an excellent player and I believe he is an even better coach.  The Golden Flashes will continue to be championship contenders under the direction of Coach Duncan." Scott Stricklin Georgia head coach Kent State head coach, 2005-2013   "Jeff will do an outstanding job leading the Kent State baseball program.  He has a wealth of baseball experience, is a tireless recruiter, and one of the best persons and competitors that I have been around." Doug Schreiber Purdue head coach   "Jeff's track record recruiting high quality student-athletes and developing them on the field speaks for itself.  I have seen first-hand the outstanding work he has done at Purdue University.  The coach in me knows this is a great hire and the alum in me is excited to see that the history and tradition of Kent State Baseball in good hands." Greg Beals Ohio State head coach   "I think he's one of the finest young assistant coaches in college baseball.  He is very deserving of this opportunity and will make a fine head coach for Kent State." Mac Seibert Regional Scouting Supervisor, New York Mets   "Jeff Duncan will join a long list of outstanding coaches at Kent State.  I believe he will do a tremendous job and continue the great tradition of their baseball program." Dave Keilitz Executive Director, American Baseball Coaches Association   "Jeff is a guy who reached the highest level as a player, and as good of a player and coach as he is, he's an even better person.  Everyone who's known him as a coach knows what a great job he'll do." Mike Rooney College baseball analyst, ESPNU Arizona State assistant coach, 1998-2004  

Birkbeck, a former major league pitcher, was promoted to Associate Head Coach in July, 2004. The 2016 season marks his 20th season as pitching coach for the Kent State program. Prior to coming to Kent State, Birkbeck spent 14 years playing professionally.  His last 10 seasons were spent at the AAA or major league level.  He also spent parts of two seasons playing in the Japanese major leagues with the Yokohama Baystars in Yokohama, Japan. In 2015 Birkbeck helped guide a young Golden Flashes pitching staff to 31 victories, the 17th consecutive year of 30 or more wins, and the Mid-American East Division title. The staff included two All-MAC selections in in First Team honoree Eric Lauer and Second Team honoree Nick Jensen-Clagg.  Jensen-Clagg led the MAC in wins with eight and strikeouts with 108. Also in Birkbeck's arsenal was 2015 Academic All-American Jared Skolnicki, just the third player to receive such honors in program history. 21 Kent State pitchers have earned Academic All-MAC accolades during Birkbeck's tenure. His 2014 squad of hurlers maintained dominance as they finished the season with a 3.71 ERA with 418 strikeouts and 193 walks.  Closer Eric Dorsch's ten saves ranks 7th-best in a single season while he ranks 4th all-time in career saves. Birkbeck's pitching staff combined for one one-hitter, one two-hitter and six four-hit games on the season. The 2013 pitching staff boasted a 3.87 ERA with 446 strikeouts compared to 200 walks under Birkbeck's guidence. Aces Taylor Williams and Tyler Skulina, both JR. RHP starters, each reached 100 strikeouts in 15 appearances to go on to be drafted in the fourth round by the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs, respectively. SO. LHP Brian Clark followed his Freshman All-American season with another lauded year, posting a 1.38 ERA with ten saves. In 2012, Birkbeck helped guide a young, retooled Golden Flashes pitching staff to a school-record 47 victories, the Mid-American Conference championship, MAC Tournament title, NCAA Gary Regional crown, Eugene Super Regional title and a berth in the schools first-ever College World Series.  Birkbeck was named 2012 Baseball America/American Baseball Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year in November 2012 for his successes. The 2012 pitching staff featured three professional draftees; JR. RHP Ryan Bores, JR. LHP Michael Clark and SR. LHP David Starn.  2012 All-MAC selections as pitchers included first teamer and MAC Conference Pitcher of the Year SR. David Starn.  Starn was also selected as the MAC Tournament Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive season.  In addition, JR. Ryan Bores, FR. Brian Clark and SO. Tyler Skulina were selected to the All MAC Second Team.  Starn and Brian Clark were also selected as postseason All-Americans by Collegiate Baseball magazine. The Golden Flashes have now won seven MAC regular season titles, nine MAC tournament crowns and have appeared in nine NCAA Regional Tournaments during Birkbecks tenure, including fourteen championships in the last sixteen seasons.  In Birkbeck's 19 seasons, KSU has won 687 games, an average of 36 wins per year and have now won 30 or more games in season seventeen consecutive campaigns.   Birkbeck has worked with 43 student-athletes who have been drafted or signed into professional baseball, including 2011 First Round Draftee Andrew Chafin. Six of his former hurlers, Matt Guerrier 99 (Twins), John VanBenschoten 01 (Pirates), Dirk Hayhurst 03 (Padres),Andy Sonnanstine 04 (Devil Rays), Chris Carpenter 08 (Cubs) and Chafin '11 (Diamondbacks) have all appeared in the major leagues.  In addition, he has mentored 34 All-MAC, 16 All-MAC Tournament, ten All-Region and nine All-American honorees.   Several Golden Flash pitchers have broken single-season or career pitching records under his guidance.  2007 saw RHP Jason Seelman author the best single-season ERA in Kent history, allowing three earned runs in 33 innings for a .82 ERA. Other notable record setting performances include:  Justin Gill 11, career appearances (97); Kyle McMillen 11, who smashed the single-season and MAC single-season saves record (18), Dan Adams 2000 career saves mark (29) and single season appearances (31); and Andy Sonnanstine 04, single-season wins (11) and single-season innings pitched (125) in 2004.  In addition, the 2012 pitching staff established a new school record for strikeouts with 543 and SR. LHP David Starn eclipsed the single-season strikeout mark with 127 and he tied the single-season wins record (11) along with SO. RHP Tyler Skulina (11) .  Starn also established new career records in wins (29), innings pitched (341) and strikeouts (347) supplanting former Flash major leaguer Dirk Hayhurst 03 in the latter two categories. Birkbeck assists in the evaluation and recruitment of pitchers and is directly responsible for the pitching staffs off-season winter individual throwing workout programs.  He also coordinates the Flashes winter and summer youth pitching camps and assists with the throwing portions of all other camps. Coach Birkbeck is a member of the Orrville Sports Hall of Fame, University of Akron Sports Hall of Fame, Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame, the Richmond Braves  10th anniversary All-Diamond Team and Richmonds All-Century Team.  In summer 2001 he also was inducted into the Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame and the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame. In 2012 he was handed the prestegious ABCA/Baseball America Division I National Assistant Coach of the Year award. In January 2016 he was inducted into the Greater Canton Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame. Birkbeck, a 1985 graduate of Akron University with a degree in Business Administration/Marketing, was a four-year letter winner, two-time captain, the 1982 Ohio Valley Conference MVP and an All-American with the Zips.  He still holds the Akron career victories record with 24 wins and is also a member of the Ohio Valley Conferences All-Time team. A native of Orrville, Ohio, Birkbeck, his wife Suzanne and son John, live in Plain Township, Canton, Ohio.  John completed his career as a right-handed pitcher for the Golden Flashes in 2015 and is currently serving as a student assistant for the team. Mike Birkbeck Associate Head Coach Mike Birkbeck, a former major league pitcher, was promoted to Associate Head Coach in July, 2004. The 2016 season marks his 20th season as pitching coach for the Kent State program. Prior to coming to Kent State, Birkbeck spent 14 years playing professionally.  His last 10 seasons were spent at the AAA or major league level.  He also spent parts of two seasons playing in the Japanese major leagues with the Yokohama Baystars in Yokohama, Japan. In 2015 Birkbeck helped guide a young Golden Flashes pitching staff to 31 victories, the 17th consecutive year of 30 or more wins, and the Mid-American East Division title. The staff included two All-MAC selections in in First Team honoree Eric Lauer and Second Team honoree Nick Jensen-Clagg.  Jensen-Clagg led the MAC in wins with eight and strikeouts with 108. Also in Birkbeck's arsenal was 2015 Academic All-American Jared Skolnicki, just the third player to receive such honors in program history. 21 Kent State pitchers have earned Academic All-MAC accolades during Birkbeck's tenure. His 2014 squad of hurlers maintained dominance as they finished the season with a 3.71 ERA with 418 strikeouts and 193 walks.  Closer Eric Dorsch's ten saves ranks 7th-best in a single season while he ranks 4th all-time in career saves. Birkbeck's pitching staff combined for one one-hitter, one two-hitter and six four-hit games on the season. The 2013 pitching staff boasted a 3.87 ERA with 446 strikeouts compared to 200 walks under Birkbeck's guidence. Aces Taylor Williams and Tyler Skulina, both JR. RHP starters, each reached 100 strikeouts in 15 appearances to go on to be drafted in the fourth round by the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs, respectively. SO. LHP Brian Clark followed his Freshman All-American season with another lauded year, posting a 1.38 ERA with ten saves. In 2012, Birkbeck helped guide a young, retooled Golden Flashes pitching staff to a school-record 47 victories, the Mid-American Conference championship, MAC Tournament title, NCAA Gary Regional crown, Eugene Super Regional title and a berth in the schools first-ever College World Series.  Birkbeck was named 2012 Baseball America/American Baseball Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year in November 2012 for his successes. The 2012 pitching staff featured three professional draftees; JR. RHP Ryan Bores, JR. LHP Michael Clark and SR. LHP David Starn.  2012 All-MAC selections as pitchers included first teamer and MAC Conference Pitcher of the Year SR. David Starn.  Starn was also selected as the MAC Tournament Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive season.  In addition, JR. Ryan Bores, FR. Brian Clark and SO. Tyler Skulina were selected to the All MAC Second Team.  Starn and Brian Clark were also selected as postseason All-Americans by Collegiate Baseball magazine. The Golden Flashes have now won seven MAC regular season titles, nine MAC tournament crowns and have appeared in nine NCAA Regional Tournaments during Birkbecks tenure, including fourteen championships in the last sixteen seasons.  In Birkbeck's 19 seasons, KSU has won 687 games, an average of 36 wins per year and have now won 30 or more games in season seventeen consecutive campaigns.   Birkbeck has worked with 43 student-athletes who have been drafted or signed into professional baseball, including 2011 First Round Draftee Andrew Chafin. Six of his former hurlers, Matt Guerrier 99 (Twins), John VanBenschoten 01 (Pirates), Dirk Hayhurst 03 (Padres),Andy Sonnanstine 04 (Devil Rays), Chris Carpenter 08 (Cubs) and Chafin '11 (Diamondbacks) have all appeared in the major leagues.  In addition, he has mentored 34 All-MAC, 16 All-MAC Tournament, ten All-Region and nine All-American honorees.   Several Golden Flash pitchers have broken single-season or career pitching records under his guidance.  2007 saw RHP Jason Seelman author the best single-season ERA in Kent history, allowing three earned runs in 33 innings for a .82 ERA. Other notable record setting performances include:  Justin Gill 11, career appearances (97); Kyle McMillen 11, who smashed the single-season and MAC single-season saves record (18), Dan Adams 2000 career saves mark (29) and single season appearances (31); and Andy Sonnanstine 04, single-season wins (11) and single-season innings pitched (125) in 2004.  In addition, the 2012 pitching staff established a new school record for strikeouts with 543 and SR. LHP David Starn eclipsed the single-season strikeout mark with 127 and he tied the single-season wins record (11) along with SO. RHP Tyler Skulina (11) .  Starn also established new career records in wins (29), innings pitched (341) and strikeouts (347) supplanting former Flash major leaguer Dirk Hayhurst 03 in the latter two categories. Birkbeck assists in the evaluation and recruitment of pitchers and is directly responsible for the pitching staffs off-season winter individual throwing workout programs.  He also coordinates the Flashes winter and summer youth pitching camps and assists with the throwing portions of all other camps. Coach Birkbeck is a member of the Orrville Sports Hall of Fame, University of Akron Sports Hall of Fame, Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame, the Richmond Braves  10th anniversary All-Diamond Team and Richmonds All-Century Team.  In summer 2001 he also was inducted into the Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame and the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame. In 2012 he was handed the prestegious ABCA/Baseball America Division I National Assistant Coach of the Year award. In January 2016 he was inducted into the Greater Canton Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame. Birkbeck, a 1985 graduate of Akron University with a degree in Business Administration/Marketing, was a four-year letter winner, two-time captain, the 1982 Ohio Valley Conference MVP and an All-American with the Zips.  He still holds the Akron career victories record with 24 wins and is also a member of the Ohio Valley Conferences All-Time team. A native of Orrville, Ohio, Birkbeck, his wife Suzanne and son John, live in Plain Township, Canton, Ohio.  John completed his career as a right-handed pitcher for the Golden Flashes in 2015 and is currently serving as a student assistant for the team.