Midwest Surge Baseball Staff

 

 

Nick Herrin (314-853-5853)

Director, 18U Head Coach

 

Nick Herrin is the 18U Head Coach and Director for the Midwest Surge. He runs baseball operations for the program, and works around the clock to improve every aspect of the organization. He is a 2015 Maryville University graduate, majoring in Strategic Communication with a Minor in Coaching. Any inquiries regarding the Midwest Surge program should be directed to him, either via cell phone or email (Midwesturge@gmail.com)

 

As a coach, Herrin believes strongly in player accountability. Although he believes his competitivness and intensity during the game to be unmatched, he is not a coach who is known to scream at his players when they fail to meet expectations. "By the time a player reaches the Varsity level, he is to know what is expected of him," said Herrin. "A failure to meet our club's individual expectations will be met with reduction of playing time. It's just that simple. I carry a sufficient number of players on my team so that any player knows that if he doesn't adhere by team policy, someone else will replace them in the field and get their shot at meeting our standards." 

 

Read more of Coach Herrin's standards

 

 

 

Alec Logue (314-677-7575)

Assistant Director, 18U Assistant Coach

 

Logue is the Assistant Director for the program and along with Nick Herrin decides the general direction of the organization. Outside of working with Herrin in player evaluation and team placing, Logue handles team finances, field rentals, equipment responsibilities, and team uniforms.

 

As a player, Logue led the Suburban West conference in WHIP and was the clean up hitter for the Kirkwood Pioneers' Varsity team. Logue specializes in strategy, and from the dugout calls all fielding allignments. Though he had several offers to play college baseball, Logue chose to attend Truman State University and pursue a career in accounting.

 

 

 

Chris Lozano

16U Premier Head Coach, Adviser

 

Coach "Lo" Lozano played baseball locally through high school in north county during the age of wooden bats. He has coached high school summer baseball for 12 years including with the O'Fallon Spartans (independent), O'Fallon West (Legion), Meramec Valley Travelers (SLABA) and American National Eagles (SLABA). Coach Lo is also a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel with combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. A fair disciplinarian, Coach Lo's  primary focus is building a player's strength of character FIRST, rewarding effort above achievement and driving a player harder than he has been pushed before. He plays a high tempo game, emphasizing base running and contact hitting. His motto is "team above self." 

 

Danny Lozano

16U Premier Assistant Coach

 

Medically retired US Marine Corps infantryman who served and was wounded in Afghanistan. Played baseball extensively in youth before becoming an asssitant coach on MV Travelers.

 

 

 

Drake Arndt 

15U Premier Head Coach, Adviser

 

Arndt is a former pitcher at Culver-Stockton College. He is an experienced pitching coach, and provides his players with top-notch instruction. Arndt works to utilize players strengths to maximize their contributions to their team. He believes strongly in rewarding hard work.

 

 

 

Mark Masalskis

15U Premier Assistant Coach

 

Masalskis played college baseball and Lewis & Clark CC as well as Culver-Stockton College. Masalskis brings focus and a serious attitude to every coaching situation he's involved in. Masalskis has experience playing multiple positions at a high level, and naturally is able to work with many players at several different positions.

 

 

 

Davis Williams

18U Williams Head Coach

 

Williams played varsity baseball at Kirkwood High School for three years. After the Summer 2015 season he will be entering his Senior year at Truman State University. Williams was primarily a catcher but received signifcant playing time at every position besides pitcher. This gives him the unique ability to provide quality instruction for a variety of players.

 

 

 

Max Hirbe

18U Williams Assistant Coach

 

Throughout his High School Career Hirbe player for the Easton Tigers, Rawlings prospects, and Kirkwood High School. Hirbe is a student at the University of Alabama pursuing a Degree in Management Information Systems. As a coach, Hirbe believes that fundamentals are a critical part of baseball, and that every player should know how to react in certain situations. Hirbe also believes strongly that being a baseball player is not just how you perform between the white lines. Hirbe expects players know how to conduct themselves from the moment they arrive at the facility.

 

 

 

Karsten Turek

Midwest Surge Turek Head Coach

 

Always having been regarded as a player with a high baseball IQ, Turek focuses on playing "mistake free baseball." Nicknamed "Hoover" by teammates, it is no surprise that defense is an area of the game which Turek prioritizes. A quieter leader, Turek is a coach who leads by example, and has a "no-nonsense" attitude for players who cannot adhere to team rules.

 

 

 

 

Ian Coe

16U Turek Assistant Coach

 

Coe specializes in pitching and is a private pitching instructor. He believes in clearly laying out expectations prior to the season, and demands his players meet these expectations for them to receive the playing time they desire.

 

 

 

 

 

Ryan Richardson

Director of Analytics/Sabermetrics, Midwest Surge Harris Assistant Coach

 

Richardson was introduced to the Midwest Surge staff in 2015. Richardson was a former second basemen and defensive specialist before concussions ended his playing career. Prior to joining the Midwest Surge as an assistant Coach, Richardson coached from 2011-2012 with the Affton Cougars Baseball Program. Since 2012, Richardson has been conducting baseball analytic evaluations. Beginning in 2015, Richardson will begin statistical research for all high school aged Midwest Surge teams.

 

 

Andy Klinghammer

Special Adviser

 

One of the founders of the Midwest Surge, Klinghammer is a special adviser to director Nick Herrin. Through his research, Klinghammer often discovers innovative hitting, throwing, and fielding programs which Herrin will sometimes use to mold his players. He is also heavily involved in determining which tournaments the Midwest Surge play in. His wife, Melinda, plays a major role in uniform decisions.