2007 Baseball Preseason Newsletter 2007 Season Outlook

2007 Captains

2007 Schedule

2007 Season Outlook

After guiding the Clark University baseball team to a new school mark for victories in a season (17) two years ago, eighth year head coach Jason Falcon enters the 2007 campaign with a positive outlook. And why shouldn’t he? Although the Cougars faltered last spring posting a 9-24 overall mark and 2-10 record in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC), the squad returns 21 lettermen, including 11 seniors, ready to step up to the plate and go out on top.

“Our team leadership is much more evident this season,” said Falcon. “The team wants to bounce back from last year’s setback and is playing with a renewed sense of determination and dedication.”

“The seniors want to get back to where they were two years ago.”

The Cougars welcome back a core group of players that led the squad to records in hits (319), RBIs (190), at-bats (1,119) and putouts (837) during that record-breaking 2004-05 spring. For starters, All-Conference player Gunnar Hagstrom (.337 BA) and Joe Silva (.286 BA), return to battle for the top job behind the plate. Both dual-sport athletes at Clark, Hagstrom, a tri-captain, will split time between receiver, outfield and designated hitter roles, while Silva may also fill in the outfield. Senior James Mancuso will also handle catching chores.

Right field is secure with the return of two-year starter Cole Osburn (.205 BA, 10 RBI, 3 HR) whose arm strength will wreak havoc for opponents, while senior Robert Muollo and junior Eric Dufour (.269 BA) will get first consideration at left field and center field, respectively. Speedy newcomer Phillip DiMarco, a Bellingham High (Mass.) first-team conference All-Star, and versatile recruit Stephen DeMartino, who may also see time behind the plate, will make a contribution.

Clark’s infield remains virtually intact. Nicholas Tapper (.302 BA, 3 HR), who led the team in RBI (17), is back at first base to provide a solid bat in the Cougars’ order. The double play duo of second baseman Jon Godin and shortstop Kyle Breindenstine, a senior tri-captain, remains a solid defensive tandem. In addition to his defensive prowess, Breindenstine (.288 BA) is a consistent contact hitter. Senior Joe Pasciucco will assume the starting position on the corner, while rookie Brendan Solecki (Portsmouth, R.I.), a two-time All-Conference All-Star, will serve as back-up. Junior Matthew Adams will add depth to the infield and first-year David Kanter should see playing time as a reserve at both second and short.

While two-time All-Conference pitcher Scott Archibald and David Hanley will be missed, Coach Falcon is confident in the Cougars’ pitching potential. Returning as the team’s top strikeout pitcher, Matthew Tillo (2-3, 4.26 ERA, 24 K’s) will be complemented by Timothy Simokonis, Daniel Simokonis and Miles Whitlock for a formidable foursome on the mound. D. Simokonis and Whitlock move into the rotation after their relief and closer roles, respectively. Four-year player Michael Levy and top freshman Jonathon Merritt, who earned 19 career wins at East Bridgewater High, will also battle for a starting position on the staff. Senior tri-captain Mike Pritchard will be given the ball for occasional starts and can work at first base and outfield, while Jeremy Strom, Gregory Long, David Gagnon, Angelo Guisado, and lefty Erik DiMarco, a 2005 Bay State Games participant, will handle relief work.

Playing in a conference that boasts the number two team in the nation - Wheaton College - Coach Falcon believes consistency will be the name of the Cougars’ game. ““We need to play consistent from one game to the next,” said Falcon. “We are going to treat every game like a conference game to mentally prepare ourselves for the strength of our NEWMAC schedule.”

“We have some key members on the bench than can help us in crucial situations,” he said. “But in the end, it’s going to come down to our consistent pitching and timely hitting.”

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2007 Captains

#8 Kyle Breidenstine Career Stats: .277 BA 36 R 71 H 4 2B 20 RBI	#20 Gunnar Hagstrom Career Stats: .336 BA 28 R 40 H 14 2B 15 RBI	#10 Mike Pritchard Career Stats: .250 BA 16 R 19 H 10 RBI 1-4, 27 IP

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2007 Schedule

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Baseball Office
Jason Falcon, Head Coach, 508-421-3832
Email: jfalcon@clarku.edu