02/26/2009
2009 Baseball Season Preview

Everyone knows, "Home is where the heart is." And the 2009 Clark University baseball team hopes home is where the wins are too.

"We have been shooting to achieve a .500 record for the past couple of years," said head coach Jason Falcon, "but we also want to win more home games than we have in the past, as well as get to a point where we are hosting a game in the NEWMAC Tournament."

"If we win more games at home, that will give us an opportunity to accomplish both goals: reaching the .500 mark and hosting a game in the conference tourney."

Last year's 11-22 (4-8 NEWMAC) squad certainly proved their potential against the powers in the conference with come-from-behind victories over Springfield College (12-7) and top-seed Babson College (12-11) in the first round of the NEWMAC Tournament, to go along with a win over eventual conference champs Wheaton College during the regular season.

Although Falcon must set about the task of rebuilding an infield, replacing an All-NEWMAC catcher and filling a few holes in the pitching rotation, the 10th year skipper is confident this year's team will find its identity early.

"We brought in 11 freshmen this year," Falcon said, "all of which are going to have an opportunity to see some significant playing time. That's only going to help us build confidence. At the same time, I expect us to start off a little bit rough. By the time we get out of Florida, we'll have a pretty good idea of who we are."

One of Falcon's biggest challenges will be replacing two-time All-NEWMAC catcher Joseph Silva '08. Sophomore Kevin Kopec (.306 BA, 10 RBI), who saw limited action behind the plate last spring, looks to take over, while freshman Joseph Krahe, an All-Division player from Fairfield Warde (Conn.) High School, will back him up.

Turning to the infield, Falcon will utilize several talented newcomers to revamp the middle. Shawn Lamothe, a two-year league all-star out of Bellingham (Mass.) High, and four-year Amherst High (Mass.) School standout Jeremy Gerber will compete for the starting nod at shortstop. After sitting out last season due to injury, sophomore Peter Lewis and rookie Mitch DeLorenzo, a two-time Most Valuable Player at West Hartford (Conn.) High, will split time between second base and short, when needed. Veteran Ron Bathrick (.319 BA, 1 HR, 27 RBI) was penciled in at first base until he suffered a pre-season injury; in the meantime, freshmen Nick Kellogg and Tom Robbins will battle it out. Junior Brendan Solecki (.213 BA, 15 RBI) will provide solid defense at third base.

Leading the list of returning players are sophomore Scott Hollingsworth, juniors Steve DeMartino and Phil DiMarco, and senior captain Matt Tillo. Converting from second base to right field this season, Hollingsworth led the NEWMAC at the plate with a .388 batting average and topped the squad in hits (47), runs scored (24), triples (4), total bases (65) and slugging percentage (.537) en route to a contract with the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League last summer. A quick and athletic outfielder, DeMartino (.282, 1 HR, 14 RBI) will cover a lot of ground in centerfield, while DiMarco (.296, 1 HR, 9 RBI), who also provides a potent bat, will platoon left field. One of the aces of last year's pitching staff, Tillo (.352 BA, 2 HR, 20 RBI) will also split time between outfield and designated hitter duties.

"We've got a much stronger defensive team than I've ever had in the past," Falcon said. "Our team defense is going to be our strongest point. We have a lot of athleticism in the outfield and our additions on the mound will be helpful."

Tillo and junior Jon Merritt, who set a new Clark mark for fewest walks per 9 innings (1.75) last season, are back to anchor a potentially strong pitching rotation that includes senior captain Greg Long and newcomers Jeff Van Steenberg, Mike Lamothe and Nick Winchell. One of the top relievers in the NEWMAC, senior tri-captain Dave Gagnon will serve as the team's top closer.

"Last year, we gave up too many bases as a pitching staff," said Falcon. "Despite the fact that we are young on the mound, we're going to work on limiting the number of free bases that we give up."

Falcon knows every game will be a challenge in the highly competitive conference, but hopes that the spring trip to Florida will help establish the team's character and prepare them for the slate ahead.

"We are going to start off young and raw," he said. "I'm not going to base who we are after the first day; we'll need those first three double headers to get an idea of what we can do, make some adjustments on the fly and, by the time we get home, have a pretty good idea of where we stand."