September 11, 2023 | by Taylor Pill

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Maranatha Baptist University Athletic Department is pleased to announce Tim Mielke as the interim head coach of the Maranatha Baseball Program for the 2024 season.

Mielke played four years of collegiate baseball at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College from 2003-06 and was named as the team's Rookie of the Year ('03) and the team MVP his junior and senior years. Mielke's batting average his senior season was an impressive .409, which included a grand slam in the long list of hits to get there. Mielke led the team as team captain during his junior and senior seasons, and he went on to fill the role of assistant coach at Pillsbury in the 2007 season.

Fast forward to 2023, and Mielke stepped in to fill the assistant coach role for the Sabercats this past spring, adding the coaching load to his role as professor at MBU.

"I had always enjoyed MBU baseball but never thought I would have the opportunity to coach due to my teaching responsibilities," said Mielke. "Teaching guys the strategy of the game has made me think that coaching is something I would love to do. I am honored to make an impact on the next generation of young men through the game of baseball. I look forward to helping teach my players life skills that make them better husbands, fathers, and leaders for the rest of their lives."

Mielke takes over the reins from Gary Garrison, who coached his final season in 2023 after 43 seasons as a baseball coach. Mielke steps into the role with the stamp of approval from Maranatha Baseball's former leader.

"I had the opportunity to work with Tim last baseball season," Garrison said. "He demonstrated a love for the game and a genuine love for the players. Tim played his college baseball at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College and now will have the opportunity to give back to the game. I'm excited for him as he enters this new challenge."

For more on the Maranatha Baseball program, go here.