Shane Davis, a Youngstown native, will be in his sixth season as the pitching coach for the Youngstown State baseball program in 2023-24. In addition to serving as YSU's pitching coach, Davis added the duties of recruiting coordinator following the 2021 campaign.
Davis, who has mentored multiple MLB Draft picks, has helped two different players be named Horizon League Pitcher of the Year during his tenure at YSU. After playing collegiately at Eastern Michigan, Davis joined the Eagles as an assistant before moving on to coach at Cleveland State and Western Illinois. He and Head Coach Dan Bertolini were teammates at Poland Seminary High School in 2002.
Most recently in 2023, Davis helped guide YSU to a 19-36 overall record and a 13-16 mark in Horizon League play to achieve double-digit Horizon League wins in three straight seasons for the first time in program history. With 10 road victories in 2023, Youngstown State has also recorded double-digit road wins in three straight seasons for the first time since 2005-07.
The 2023 campaign was highlighted by the program’s longest winning streak in 18 years. YSU won eight straight games from April 25 to May 9 to put together its longest winning streak since the 2005 season. The Penguins won 12 of their final 16 games while earning four consecutive Horizon League series victories to close out the regular season. With two wins at Baylor in early March and a victory at Pitt on April 10, YSU has now earned five victories against Power Five opponents over the past two seasons. YSU's 7-5 victory at Baylor on March 3, 2023, marked the program's first win over a Big 12 opponent since 2013.
Fifth-year senior right-hander Travis Perry anchored a young and inexperienced pitching staff that was also hit hard by injuries in 2023. Serving as YSU's primary Friday starter, he finished the season with a 5-7 record, a 4.79 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 73.1 innings pitched over 14 starts. Perry was named Horizon League Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 28 after allowing one run on two hits with a career-high 10 strikeouts over six innings to power the Penguins to a 6-2 series-opening victory at Memphis on Feb. 24, 2023. He was awarded the weekly honor for the third time in his career. Perry ranked fourth in the Horizon League with a .251 opponent batting average and seventh with five wins, a 4.79 ERA and 73.1 innings pitched.
Davis guided true freshman left-hander Braden Gebhardt to a spot on the Horizon All-Freshman Team in 2023. The Howland, Ohio, native posted a 3-3 record, a 6.29 ERA, one save and 54 strikeouts in 63 innings pitched over 21 appearances and nine starts. Gebhardt's 54 strikeouts are the most by a YSU freshman since Collin Floyd had 58 in 2016. He became just the fourth YSU freshman to record at least 50 strikeouts since YSU joined the Horizon League in 2002.
After making 29 relief appearances in 2022, senior right-hander Casey Marshalwitz made a career-high 30 appearances out of the bullpen in 2023. Marshalwitz's 30 appearances are tied for the second most in a season in program history. The Gibsonia, Pa., native made the most pitching appearances by a Penguin since Kevin McCulloh set the single-season school record with 32 appearances in 2012. Marshalwitz became just the third player in YSU history to make at least 30 appearances on the mound in a single season.
Marshalwitz's six saves in 2023 are tied for the sixth most in a season in program history. The senior's six saves also ranked second in the Horizon League. Marshalwitz earned a save in three straight games from April 25-April 30. He also saved back-to-back YSU wins on May 19-20.
In 2022, Davis helped guide YSU to a 21-36 record to achieve back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 2005-06. The Penguins won 13 road contests for the second straight season in 2022 to reach double-digit road wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2006-07. Youngstown State earned a pair of road wins over Power Five opponents in 2022. YSU defeated ACC member Pitt 5-2 on March 16 before beating Big Ten member Penn State 2-1 on March 22. The win against Penn State marked YSU's first win over a Big Ten opponent since 1996. YSU placed third in the 2022 Horizon League Baseball Championship, which was its best finish since winning the tournament in 2014. The Penguins also won multiple games in the tournament for the first time since that championship season.
Davis coached junior right-hander Matt Brosky to a breakout season in 2022. In his first season as a starter, Brosky was named Horizon League Pitcher of the Year and First-Team All-Horizon League. He recorded a 6-7 record, a 2.65 ERA, 102 strikeouts, 22 walks, five complete games and a .231 opponent batting average in 98.2 innings pitched over 15 starts. Brosky's 102 strikeouts rank as the fourth most in a season in program history. He became just the fourth player in school history to record at least 100 strikeouts in a season. Brosky's 98.2 innings pitched rank as the fifth most in a season in program history, and his 2.65 ERA is the ninth-lowest single-season mark in school history. Brosky led the Horizon League in ERA and innings pitched while tying for the league lead in strikeouts. He tied for the league lead with six victories and he ranked second in opponent batting average. The junior also paced the league and ranked second in the nation in complete games.
Brosky became the second consecutive Penguin under the guidance of Davis to win the Horizon League’s Pitcher of the Year award after his former teammate Collin Floyd claimed the honor in 2021. He also joined Floyd as just the second YSU pitcher since Phil Klein in 2009 to be named First-Team All-Horizon League. Brosky became the first Penguin since 2014 to be named to the Horizon League All-Tournament Team, and he was selected to the ABCA/Rawlings East All-Region Second Team. On July 18, 2022, Brosky was selected by the Texas Rangers with the 229th overall pick in the eighth round of the MLB Draft. He became the first Penguin to be drafted since 2015 and the first YSU pitcher to be selected since Klein was picked by the Rangers in 2011.
Senior right-hander Jon Snyder was named a National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper on March 21 for his stellar performance in YSU's 4-0 victory over Purdue Fort Wayne on March 18. In addition, Snyder was named the Horizon League Co-Pitcher of the Week on March 22. Snyder allowed just one hit and struck out a season-high 10 batters over 6.1 scoreless innings to earn his first win of the season. He did not allow a hit until a one-out single in the bottom of the sixth inning. Junior left-hander Nathan Ball led the Horizon League and ranked 36th nationally with nine saves in 2022. Ball's nine saves are tied for the second most in a season in program history. He is just the third player in school history to record at least nine saves in a season. Ball became the first Penguin to record at least nine saves in a season since Andy Svitak had nine in 2007.
As a team on the mound, the Penguins led the Horizon League with a .258 opponent batting average while ranking second with a 5.44 ERA, 434 strikeouts and 11 saves. YSU's 434 strikeouts as a pitching staff rank as the second most in a season in program history. It marked just the fifth time in school history that the Penguins have recorded at least 400 strikeouts in a season. The Penguins set the school record with 447 strikeouts as a team in 2021, meaning the top two strikeout totals in school history have come with Davis as YSU’s pitching coach. YSU's 11 saves rank as the second most in a season in program history, and they are the most since the Penguins set the school record with 14 saves in 1995.
In 2021, YSU went 32-24 to post its best record in 26 years. The Penguins reached the 30-win plateau for just the second time in program history and for the first time since going 37-17 in 1995. Youngstown State also reached the 20-win plateau for the first time since 2010.
The Penguins went 24-16 in Horizon League play to set a new program record for Horizon League and conference wins. The previous record of 16 Horizon League wins was set in 2006 while the previous mark of 18 conference wins was set in 1995. YSU finished the season with a winning record for the first time since 2005, and it secured a winning record in league play for the first time since 2008.
Youngstown State finished the 2021 season with a 19-4 record at Eastwood Field to set a new program record for home wins. The previous mark of 18 home wins was set in 1977. YSU also won 13 road games in 2021, which was its most since winning 14 in 2006. It marked the first season since 2010 in which the Penguins won at least 10 road contests.
Davis coached senior left-hander Collin Floyd to Horizon League Pitcher of the Year honors in 2021. Floyd became just the fourth player in school history and the first since Aaron Swenson in 2008 to be named conference Pitcher of the Year. Floyd put together one of the greatest seasons by a pitcher in YSU history. He was the only pitcher in the league to be named Horizon League Pitcher of the Week three times in 2021. Floyd led the Horizon League with nine wins, a 2.58 ERA, 108 strikeouts, 101.1 innings pitched and six complete games. Floyd also tied for the league lead with a .202 opponent batting average. His six complete games ranked third nationally while his 108 strikeouts ranked 40th in the nation.
Floyd tied the single-season school record of nine wins that was set by Joe Herubin in 1989. His 2.58 ERA ranks as the seventh-lowest mark in school history and the lowest since Dave Dravecky had a 2.21 ERA over 61 innings in 1977. Floyd's 108 strikeouts rank as the second most in a season in school history, and they are the most by a YSU pitcher since Brad Hennessey set the single-season school record with 126 in 2001. He became just the third player in program history to record 100 strikeouts in a season. Floyd also set a new single-season school record with 101.1 innings pitched, surpassing the previous mark of 99.2 innings that was set by Swenson in 2010. Following the season, Floyd was named to the ABCA/Rawlings East All-Region First Team. He ended his career as YSU’s all-time leader in strikeouts (323) and games started (57). Floyd’s 323 career strikeouts also rank second in Horizon League history.
Davis also helped Jon Snyder earn Second-Team All-Horizon League honors after a breakout season in 2021. Snyder finished the season with a 6-2 record, a 2.76 ERA, 88 strikeouts and a .202 opponent batting average in 71.2 innings over 15 appearances and 14 starts. Snyder tied for the Horizon League lead in opponent batting average while ranking second in ERA and fourth in strikeouts. He also recorded 11.05 strikeouts per nine innings pitched, which ranks as the sixth-best mark in school history and the highest since Brad Hennessey posted 12.79 K/9 in 2001. Snyder's 88 strikeouts are tied for the seventh most in a season in program history while his 2.76 ERA ranks as the 10th-lowest mark in school history.
In the first game of a doubleheader against Purdue Fort Wayne on March 7, Snyder did not allow a hit and struck out a career-high 12 batters over six innings in a no-decision. He was named Horizon League Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 24 after allowing one run on three hits and striking out six batters over five innings in a 4-2 win at Troy. Following the season, Snyder was named to the 2020-21 Academic All-District® Baseball Team, selected by CoSIDA, for his combined performance on the field and in the classroom. He is one of seven players in program history to earn the distinction.
Davis also coached right-hander Nick Perez to a spot on the Horizon League All-Freshman Team in 2021. Perez earned postseason recognition after an impressive debut season that saw him serve as YSU’s Sunday starter for the majority of the campaign. Perez posted a 3-3 record, an 8.54 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 52.2 innings pitched over 14 appearances and 11 starts. Perez’s 11 starts were the most by a YSU freshman since Floyd started 13 games in 2016.
Davis’ pitching staff set a new school record with 447 strikeouts in 2021. The Penguins surpassed the previous mark of 431 that was set in 2003. It marked just the fourth time in program history that YSU recorded at least 400 strikeouts in a season. In addition to Floyd's impressive 108 strikeouts, Snyder had 88 punch outs and senior left-hander Colin Clark recorded 72. It marked the first time in program history that three different pitchers struck out at least 60 batters in the same season. All three Penguins were named the Horizon League Pitcher of the Week in 2021.
Youngstown State paced the Horizon League with six Pitcher-of-the-Week awards in 2021. Snyder was named Horizon League Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 24, Floyd earned the honor three times (March 10, March 30, April 13), Clark won the award on May 4 and Travis Perry earned the distinction on May 24. The Penguins were the only team in the league to have four different pitchers earn weekly honors in 2021.
In 2020, YSU went 7-7 before the season was ended prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Penguins won three of their first four weekend series and a midweek contest at ACC member Pitt for their best start since 2010. YSU won two out of three games at preseason No. 35 Houston on opening weekend to begin the season 2-1 for the first time since 2001. Youngstown State had the most wins and the best winning percentage in the Horizon League when the season came to an end.
The Penguins allowed only 6.04 hits per nine innings — good for 11th in the nation — and led the league in ERA (4.58), WHIP (1.16), strikeout-to-walk ratio (1.79), wins (7) and a saves (3). YSU’s 4.58 ERA was more than a run better than the next closest team in the league, and it was more than three runs better the team's 2019 ERA. The Penguins tied for the league lead with 109 strikeouts while allowing the fewest hits, runs and walks. YSU also paced the Horizon League with a opponent batting average of just .187. The team's 1.16 WHIP ranked 37th nationally.
Youngstown State's pitching staff put together an impressive streak of 22 consecutive scoreless innings that spanned three contests from Feb. 28 to March 4. The Penguins blanked Abilene Christian over the final 17 innings of a three-game series before holding Pitt scoreless over the first five innings of their meeting on March 4.
A Penguin claimed Horizon League Pitcher-of-the-Week honors three times in four weeks during the shortened 2020 campaign. Floyd, Chad Coles and Colin Clark each earned weekly league recognition. Clark led the league in strikeouts (26) and innings pitched (26.2) while Floyd ranked second in strikeouts (25) and third in innings (23.0). In addition, Gary Clift Jr. led the conference with two saves and Joel Hake paced the circuit with 10 appearances.
In his first season with the Penguins, Davis oversaw an extremely young pitching staff that showed promise and improvement throughout the campaign. YSU pitchers recorded 324 strikeouts in 2019; that total ranks as the 11th most in a single season in program history. Colin Clark made a team-high 13 starts and led the Penguins with 72 innings pitched and 51 strikeouts as a sophomore. He ranked in the top 10 of the Horizon League in innings and strikeouts.
Davis also helped true freshman right-hander Travis Perry enjoy an impressive debut season on the mound in 2019. He ranked second on the team with 62.2 innings pitched, nine starts and two victories while ranking third with 42 strikeouts. Perry ranked 13th in the league in innings pitched, and only one freshman logged more. His 62.2 innings were the most by a YSU freshman since 2012. He ranked tied for 15th in the league in strikeouts, and only three freshmen had more punch outs.
Perry was named Horizon League Pitcher of the Week after allowing just three hits and striking out a career-best eight batters over a career-high 7.2 innings in a win over Northern Kentucky at Eastwood Field on April 19. He was also named a National Top 30 Performer by D1Baseball.com for April 19.
Before returning home to the Mahoning Valley, Davis served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Western Illinois from 2012-17. During his time with the Leathernecks, he coached a pair of pitchers who were selected in the Major League Baseball Draft.
After recording a school-record nine saves, Brian Loconsole was selected in the 20th round of 2013 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels. Tyler Willman, who became the first WIU pitcher to receive first-team all-conference honors since 2006, was selected in the 12th round of the 2014 draft by the San Francisco Giants.
Under Davis' guidance, senior Tyler Owings became the program's all-time saves leader and earned Second-Team All-Summit League honors in 2015 while true freshman Ian Koch was named to the league's second team in 2016.
During the 2014 season, Davis' pitchers earned four Summit League Pitcher-of-the-Week awards, the most in program history. He also played a major role in the development of Aaron Michel, who was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and finished the 2013 season with a school-record 1.23 ERA.
During his first season in Macomb, Davis served as the recruiting coordinator and aided in the recruitment of several players who became major contributors as freshmen for the Leathernecks in 2012.
Prior to joining the Western Illinois staff, Davis spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Cleveland State. He helped coordinate the Vikings' recruiting efforts in the Midwest while also assisting with summer ball placement, travel and scheduling. He also served as an associate scout for the Texas Rangers after Cleveland State's baseball program was dropped in May 2011.
Davis arrived at Cleveland State after serving as an assistant coach at the United States Air Force Academy, where he worked primarily with the bullpen and catchers, while also assisting with hitters. During his stint at Air Force, the team's catchers ranked first or second in the Mountain West Conference in every defensive category.
Davis has also served as the co-head coach of the Stark County Terriers, an elite 18-and-under summer league team that qualified for the ABCA Midland regional. He also coached the Varsity Shop Training Center Bullets, an 18-and-under team based out of Detroit, during the summer of 2008.
Additionally, he worked as an assistant coach at his alma mater Eastern Michigan in 2008, coaching outfielders and assisting with hitters. He also served as a student assistant at EMU in 2007, working with pitchers and catchers.
During his time at EMU, he was part of a coaching staff that went 36-12 in the Mid-American Conference, including a regular season championship and tournament runner-up finish in 2007. The group won the MAC West Division title and the MAC Tournament championship in 2008 to earn a berth in the Ann Arbor Regional.
Davis was a four-year letterwinner as a catcher for Eastern Michigan, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in secondary education. He earned his master's degree in communication from Western Illinois in 2015.
