Former Lehman catcher Chad Miles hit .341 with five home runs for Temple College this season. He helped lead Temple to the Junior College World Series in 2010 and recently signed to continue his baseball career at West Texas A&M University. (Photo by Bruce Ruckel)
by JASON GORDON
As the current crop of Lehman baseball players continue to build the foundation of a strong program for years to come, two former Lobos are excelling at the collegiate level.
Thomas Kellner, a 2007 Lehman graduate, recently pitched Oklahoma Wesleyan University to the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Conference World Series title. Chad Miles, a 2008 LHS grad, just finished up a strong season at Temple College, where he helped the team to a 2010 Junior College World Series appearance, and recently signed a Division II baseball scholarship with West Texas A&M University.
“I’m really proud of both of these guys,” Lehman head baseball coach Toby Robinson said. “They were a huge part of our program here and it’s great example for our current players to see our former athletes doing so well at the next level.”
Kellner’s path to success was paved with many roadblocks.
He first signed with Cisco College out of high school where he developed a bone spur in his elbow that required surgery.
After rehabbing his arm he made a short stop at Sul Ross University before finally finding a baseball home at Wesleyan in the spring of 2010.
After a solid season in 2010, Kellner thrived this year, going 9-5 with a 2.31 earned run average.
He saved his best performances for last as Kellner pitched two complete games in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Conference World Series. He was on the hill in the series-clinching 4-1 victory against defending national champion North Greenville University pitching on only two days rest.
“After my surgery at Cisco, things weren’t looking too good,” Kellner said. “But I stuck with it and things are going great now. There were times when I doubted I would ever make it back, but I found a place I really like and we helped put our school on the map.”
Kellner is looking forward to his senior season at Wesleyan next year and hopes to hear his name called during next June’s Major League Baseball draft.
“I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what our team can accomplish after the great season we just had,” Kellner said. “From a personal standpoint, I think I have a shot to get to the next level and play professionally. If it doesn’t happen, I have made a lot of great contacts the last couple of years and will definitely look to become a pitching coach at the collegiate level.”
Miles batted .341 and smacked five home runs as Temple’s full time catcher this past season.
He said playing under Temple College head coach Craig McMurtry was a blessing.
“I learned so much there,” Miles said. “McMurtry’s a former Major League Baseball player and he taught us all so much about the game.”
Miles said getting to the Junior College World Series in 2010 was also a big confidence booster.
“The College World Series was a great experience,” he said. “I really enjoyed everything about my time playing at Temple.”
Miles also has big league aspirations and hopes his time at West Texas A&M will lead him closer to that opportunity.
“I think there’s a possibility I’ll get drafted next year and if that happens it would be awesome,” he said. “It’s something I’ve dreamed about for a long time.”
Miles said he still keeps up with the program Coach Robinson has continued to build at Lehman.
“Coach Robinson has done a heck of a job,” Miles said. “I’m so proud of the success they’ve had recently and will always be proud to have been part of the Lehman baseball program.”
Robinson said he isn’t surprised both Kellner and Miles have done this well on the college level.
“When I think of a competitive baseball player, I think of Thomas Kellner,” Robinson said. “He lives and breathes baseball. I remember when he was in high school he’d have four or five teammates out there year round until dark just trying to get better. Chad has always been a student of the game and has always tried to absorb as much coaching as he can wherever he is. I think he will be a great asset to the West Texas A&M program.”
