SIOUX FALLS – Cincinnati Reds draftee Layne Somsen will serve as co-pitching coordinator with current assistant coach Derek Fischer for the University of Sioux Falls Baseball Team in 2015-16, according to an announcement today by USF head baseball coach Matt Guiliano.
Both Somsen of Yankton, S.D., and Fischer of Brandon, S.D., had standout collegiate careers (South Dakota State University, USF, respectively) at in-state schools and bring sterling resumes to the position.
“The dual pitching coaches of Layne (Somsen) and Derek (Fischer) will provide the kind of leadership and expertise that will help our young staff,” said Guiliano, who pointed out that Somsen will join the staff this fall after his season with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos ends. “I am very excited for our program to have these two talented individuals leading our pitching staff,” said Guiliano.
As for Somsen and Fischer, who is already transitioning to pitching duties, baseball is in their blood and both relish this opportunity with the Cougars program.
“I have always enjoyed the game of baseball and coaching will allow me to stay active in the game during my offseason and after my career is over,” said Somsen, who is pitching with Pensacola, the Reds' AA affiliate in the Southern League. “I've learned a lot about pitching from several knowledgeable minds and look forward to working with the USF program, which is on the rise. When I worked out with the team this winter, I noticed a good vibe and team chemistry. I look forward to working with Coach Fischer and coach Guiliano, the staff and the team,” he said.
Like Somsen, Fischer, will play professional ball this summer, recently inking a contract with the independent team, Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League.
“To be able to work with Layne, Coach Guiliano and our team is something I really feel is a great opportunity for me. As a former Cougar, I believe I can parlay my experiences into helping our staff. I believe we can do some really good things with this team,” said Fischer.
Somsen, 25, who was a three-sport standout at Yankton High School, starred at SDSU where he was 2013 Summit League Pitcher of the Year, leading the Jacks to the NCAA Division I Tournament for the first time. At the Summit League Tournament, Somsen started the first game and then came back to earn a save in the championship game which advanced SDSU to the DI tourney. In recording his only save of his career at SDSU, Somsen worked two innings, registering four strikeouts among the six batters he faced as SDSU defeated NDSU, 1-0.
In 2013 with SDSU, Somsen was 4-5 with a 1.87 ERA as a senior, when opponents hit just .196. In 2013, Somsen had 91 strikeouts in 91 1/3 innings. He finished his career at SDSU ranking among the school leaders in starts (4th, 38), strikeouts (4th, 180) and innings pitched (4th, 215).
In that same year (2013), Somsen was drafted in the 22nd round by Cincinnati. At Pensacola, he has a 0-0 record and a 1.80 ERA with seven strikeouts in five innings. Somsen has a minor league career record of 7-4 with a 2.43 ERA in 51 games. He has allowed 84 hits in 107.1 innings with 111 strikeouts and four saves. Minor league batters are hitting just .218 against him.
After a standout career with the Cougars, Fischer joined the coaching staff at the start of the 2014-15 season. While pitching for the Cougars, Fischer had a 19-17 record, including three seasons of .500 or better. He was 4-1 as a freshman, 5-3 as a sophomore, 5-8 as a junior and 5-5 as a senior. He pitched in 52 games, making 35 starts and finished with a 4.07 ERA. Fischer had 13 complete games and five shutouts. He also appeared in relief, recording five saves. In total, he threw 230.1 innings and recorded 198 strikeouts. As a junior, he had the 14th best ERA in the NSIC at 3.23. Fischer, who was named an NSIC Pitcher of the Week as a junior, was third in the league in strikeouts with 79. As a senior, he was eighth in the league in appearances with 16 and 12th in strikeouts per game (7.15).
The University of Sioux Falls Baseball Team is 15-23 overall this season with a 12-10 record for sixth place in the NSIC.
Located in Sioux Falls, S.D., University of Sioux Falls is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
