By Lynn Saternow

Herald Sports Editor

FORMER GROVE CITY High baseball star Jim Jaskowak had a great season on and off the field at Baldwin-Wallace College this past season.

Jaskowak recently was named to the 2008 Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference baseball team. A business administration and accounting major, who carries a 3.57 grade average, was the ace of the pitching staff. 

In 11 mound appearances, including 9 starts, Jaskowak compiled a 5-2 record with a 4.73 earned run average in 51 1/3 innings.  He earned OAC Pitcher of the Week honors on April 14 following a 1-0 complete game-shutout win against Otterbein College. He had 4 complete games and 2 shutouts.

For his career, Jaskowak has an 8-4 record in 25 appearances with 5 complete games and 69 strikeouts in 100 and two-third innings pitched.

In the classroom, he is a Dean's List student.

“Jim had a solid junior season and was the ace of our pitching staff,” praised head coach Bob Fisher in a news release. Fisher, who has won 669 career games in 40 years at B-W, added, “When we played a tough opponent, we put the ball in Jim's hands and had confidence in his ability. During each of the past two seasons, he has been a key player for us and we look forward to having him back next season.

“Jim also embodies the philosophy of Division III athletics,” stated Fisher. “He excels both in the classroom and on the field and is an outstanding team leader. We are extremely proud of Jim's efforts.”

Jaskowak is a son of Mark and Linda Jaskowak of Grove City.

ä Claire Vellente, former Hickory High softball standout, is making a mark at LaRoche College. This past season as a sophomore, she was named to the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference second-team.

The centerfielder was a web-gem specialist in the field, but also one of the team leaders at the plate. She was the only LaRoche player named to the first or second teams by the conference coaches.

She is a daughter of John and Stephanie Vellente, Hermitage. Her sister Jonna plays for the current Hickory team.

ä Geneva College has a new athletic director. The Beaver Falls school announced that Dr. Kim Gall, who served as head women’s basketball coach and tennis coach at Geneva from 1980-94, has been named to the post.