Alexander to set high standards for baseball

The baseball office’s voicemail still has a recorded message on it from Jake Boss Jr., who left in July after one year as the manager of Eastern Michigan to take the same position at Michigan State.

Soon it will play the voice of Jay Alexander, who was announced as the new manager on Aug. 8, making it three in three years for EMU as Roger Coryell retired in October of 2007.

Alexander coached Wayne State the past six seasons, leading his team to a school-record 34 wins last season. He was the 2008 and 2005 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference Coach of the Year.

WSU eventually lost in the championship of the NCAA North Central Regional to Ashland.

Alexander, who is the first African-American coach in school history, said he likes aggressive-style baseball, “stealing a lot of bases.”

“I love fast players,” he said. “Athletic players, versatile players.”
The Warriors stole 80 bags last season, compared to only 21 home runs, but Alexander said he’ll coach according to the type of players he has.

“If I have guys that will steal bases, we’ll steal bases,” he said. “If I have players that will hit home runs, we’ll hit home runs. It’s all about recruiting.”
Alexander is a native of Detroit and has a lot of ties in the Metro area, but will also look to recruit outside of the state, like Ohio.

The Eagles (25-34, 15-8 Mid-American Conference) won the MAC Tournament last year and played in an NCAA Regional, but lost to the more talented and experienced Kentucky and Arizona.

“You got to keep moving forward,” Alexander said about building on the team’s recent success.

Alexander said his main goal, aside from winning, is to make sure his players are good quality individuals. He wants them to work hard and said he’ll hold them to a high standard.

“I’m extremely excited to coach at a prestigious university like EMU,” Alexander said. “It’s a great opportunity for me and my family.”
Alexander has yet to announce who will make up his coaching staff.

Former assistants, Mark Van Ameyde and Del Young, are no longer with Eastern Michigan. Van Ameyde joined Boss’ staff at MSU, and Young is now an assistant at Oakland University.

EMU returns sophomore Zack Leonard, who hit .348 with nine home runs and 56 RBIs last season, and senior Kyle Rhoad, who hit .331 with eight home runs, 29 RBIs and 19 stolen bases.

Senior Sean Hoffman should head the pitching staff. Hoffman was 5-3 and led the team with 56 strikeouts last season.