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Last season Folek guided the Colonels to an overall record of 24-12, their sixth straight winning campaign, and the squad's first Freedom Conference championship. Wilkes also earned the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time since 1978. For his efforts Folek was named the Freedom Conference Coach of the Year. In 2004, Folek's squad fashioned an overall record of 28-15-1. The 28 wins was the most in school history, and the squad advanced to the Freedom Conference championship game for the second consecutive year, while also earning a berth in the ECAC Championships. In 2002, Folek was named the Freedom Conference's Coach of the Year after leading Wilkes to a 24-17-1 record and berths in both the Freedom Conference and ECAC playoffs. Prior to his stint as head coach, Folek served for six seasons as an assistant coach for the Colonels. In 1994, he served as third base coach for the Blue and Gold as they captured the Middle Atlantic Conference championship. A 1988 Wilkes graduate, he earned four varsity letters as a member of the baseball team, while playing for former major league player Bob Duliba. Since Folek joined the coaching ranks at Wilkes, the Colonels have had five players drafted or signed to professional contracts. This list includes former Wilkes hurler Kevin Gryboski, who pitched for three-plus seasons with the Atlanta Braves and is now in the Washington Nationals organization. Folek, whose father Walter played for the Colonels in the late 1950's, is currently employed by the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. He earned his master's degree in Special Education from Marywood University, and is currently teaching special education at Meyers High School.
Coach Folek always refers to Klinetob as the unsung hero of the Wilkes baseball coaching staff. Despite holding down a full-time job, Klinetob handles a variety of on and off the field duties that have greatly aided in the success of Wilkes baseball. Klinetob has played an integral role in helping Wilkes post six straight winning campaigns. During that same time span the Colonels have earned a berth in the Freedom Conference playoffs five times and also earned invitations to play in the ECAC Southern Baseball Championship in both 2002 and 2004. The 2003 and 2004 teams not only earned Freedom Conference playoff berths, but both teams advanced to the conference championship game, while the 2007 squad won the Freedom Conference title and earned a berth in the NCAA Division III Championship. Klinetob, his wife Carina, and their son Kolby reside in Pittston. Jerry Bavitz, Pitching Coach
Jerry Bavitz is entering his 36th year being affiliated with the Wilkes baseball program. During that time, the former four-year Wilkes standout has done just about everything, including a stint of four years as the team's head coach. As an assistant coach from 1976 through 1978, Bavitz was head coach Gene Domzalski's right-hand man. He helped lead the Colonels to three consecutive NCAA regional playoff appearances, while also helping the Blue and Gold earn a berth in the NCAA College World Series in 1976. The 1977 team also captured the Middle Atlantic Conference championship. Bavitz, who is a featured speaker on pitching at numerous baseball camps throughout the area, has had great success as a pitching coach at Wilkes. Eight of Bavitz's former hurlers have signed major league contracts. A former pitcher for the Colonels, Bavitz is a 1975 Wilkes graduate, receiving a degree in Mathematics. Upon graduation he became a teacher in the Nanticoke Area School District. He currently coaches junior high basketball at Nanticoke Area, while also serving as the Athletic Director.
Mike Toomey, Assistant Coach
Toomey, who is in his second season as an assistant coach with the Colonels, was a four-year member of the Wilkes baseball team as a starting pitcher. During his career the left-hander appeared in 37 games on the hill, including 32 as the squad's starting hurler. Toomey compiled an overall record of 15 wins and 15 losses during his pitching career at Wilkes. He tossed 10 complete games and won four constests by shutout. Toomey also posted an earned run aveage of 5.72 and struck out 102 hitters in 165 innings of work. Toomey graduated from Wilkes in 2006 with a degree in Elementary Education. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in Education at Wilkes. Nate Lipton, Assistant Coach
Lipton is back for his fourth season as an assistant coach with the Colonels. A 2000 graduate of Wilkes, Lipton earned four varsity letters as a pitcher for the Colonels. During his career he fashioned an overall record of 20-13, which included one no-hitter. He also posted a solid 3.77 earned run average. Lipton had 14 complete games during his playing days and struck out 174 hitters.
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