Baseball Coach Ryan Kragh

Ryan Kragh

Kragh is currently entering his seventh season as a member of the Bethany Lutheran College coaching staff and fourth as head coach. Prior to taking over the reins of the program in 2005, Kragh was the Vikings' pitching coach for three years, working with squads that combined for a 71-52 record, including back-to-back NJCAA Region XIII Championships. This past season in only Bethany's second year of UMAC play, the Vikings finished third with a record of 12-9.

Kragh's baseball history is a rich one. The Minot, N.D., native was a four-year letterwinner at the University of North Dakota, where his name appears in the top 10 of numerous pitching categories and his school record for career pitching wins was just recently broken.

After earning his bachelor's degree in physical education and elementary education, he pitched professionally with the Thunder Bay Whiskey Jacks of the Northern League. An injury cut his playing career short and he returned to his alma mater, coaching pitchers for three seasons. Under Kragh's tutelage, three pitchers were drafted and went on to play professionally. Kragh also headed up the American Legion baseball program for Jamestown, N.D., leading the Blue Jays to a fifth-place finish in the State A Tournament.

Kragh's dedication to the game of baseball is clearly evident from his community involvement. He directs Bethany baseball camps throughout the year and spends his summer months involved in clinics and camps throughout southern Minnesota. Kragh also finds time to umpire many amateur and high school games in the Mankato area.

Coach Kragh is currently pursuing a master's degree at Minnesota State, Mankato. His wife, Ruthann, is the registrar at Bethany. The Kraghs and their two children, Mariah and J.D., make their home in Mankato.

Assistant coach Andrew Dollerschell

Coach Dollerschell is in his second season coaching at Bethany. Dollerschell transferred to Bethany after attending Minnesota State, Mankato for three-and-a-half years. After becoming a Viking, Dollerschell made an impact becoming a two-year starter for BLC. During his two years, Dollerschell earned all-conference and all-region honors, as well as winning the teams' Gold Glove Award in his senior season. Dollerschell, a native of Olivia, Minn., attended BOLD High School where he was a three-sport athlete and earned all-conference honors in football and baseball. Dollerschell is now in his senior year at Bethany where he plans to graduate in the spring with a history degree. During his last four summers, Dollerschell has spent time being the assistant coach for the BOLD Legion baseball team. Coach Dollerschell will be working with the catchers and hitters.

Assistant coach Brady Grohs

As a first-year assistant coach, Brady Grohs looks forward to continuing his efforts as part of the Bethany baseball program. Grohs a right-handed pitcher, pitched for the Vikings for two years earning conference and team recognition. In his junior campaign he was named All-Conference 1st Team as well as All-Region 1st Team. In his final season playing for the Vikings, he was named team captain. Grohs, a Maple Grove, Minn., native, has also made great strides as Bethany’s first strength and conditioning coach in the past year. Grohs plans to continue with his strength and conditioning training as well as working with the Viking pitching staff.

Assistant coach Andy Stolt

Coach Andy Stolt is in his first season coaching baseball at Bethany. Stolt, a native of New Ulm, was named both All-Conference and All-Region in while playing baseball at New Ulm Public High School. He became a Bethany Viking and was runner up for the MCCC Player of the Year in 2002. After two years of Bethany baseball, Stolt played at the University of North Dakota before coming back to finish his college career at Bethany. In his final season as a pitcher for the Vikings, Stolt was named All-Conference, 1st Team and had 10 complete games. Stolt will use his pitching experience to work primarily with the pitchers while also helping with recruiting efforts.