2006 Huskies Baseball Preview
The 2006 Bloomsburg University baseball team features a new-look squad that hopes to improve upon its 18-25 record last season. This year's team features a new coaching staff, several new players and a positive attitude that should help the Huskies compete for a spot in the PSAC playoffs.
Mike Collins begins his first season as head coach of the Huskies. Collins, formerly an assistant at Binghamton University, is excited about his first season as coach of the Huskies. "I'm excited about the league this season. It should be very competitive," said Collins. "We have very young guys who show potential. It will be nice to see them develop in the early stages of their college career." Also joining the staff this season is assistant coach Phil Hopewell and pitching coach Brian Albertson.
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Collins feels the keys to a successful season are the basic goals that make any team successful. "We need to throw strikes, play solid defense, and run the bases well. If we do that week-to-week, the wins will take care of themselves."
CATCHER
Junior Vinnie James (Bristol/Bristol) will start behind the plate for the Huskies. James, one of this season's captains, batted .325 last season. "James is a solid, fundamental catcher and is a tremendous leader. He also has some power." James had a team-high 10 doubles and drove in 24 runs last season.
Backing up James will be sophomores Richard Letts (Parkesburg/Octorara) and Keith Rhinehammer (Wanamie/Nanticoke Area). "Letts is very good defensively", said Collins. "He does a nice job of controlling the running game. He should also see time on the mound in relief." Letts made seven starts last season, batting .333. Rhinehammer is a transfer from DeSales University. "Keith is a solid defensive catcher with very good arm-strength."
FIRST BASE
Sophomore Billy Manning (Nazareth/Nazareth) will platoon with freshman Kevin Ward (Upper Darby/Monsignor Bonner) at first base this season. Manning, a left-handed hitter, had an excellent fall and should contribute this season. "Ward is a big and strong and has raw power. He has lots of potential." Ward hit 24 home runs during his high school career.
SECOND BASE
The Huskies will have a number of talented middle infielders who will compete for the job. "All the guys are athletic and versatile and bring different things to the table", said Collins. Sophomore Josh Howe (Williamsport/Williamsport) is a slick fielder with good hands. "He handles the bat well and shows the ability to have quality at-bats. He really competes every time in the box." Howe hit .333 in 21 at-bats last season. Anthony Swede (Mifflinburg/Mifflinburg), a transfer-from Eastern Nazerene College, is a leadoff type hitter and good base stealer. He will see some time at shortstop as well.
SHORTSTOP
Freshman Nick Lerch (Selinsgrove/Selinsgrove) had an outstanding fall season on offense and defense and established himself at shortstop. "He is a very solid player who works very hard," said Collins.
Chris Brown (Vestal, NY/Vestal), a transfer from Cortland State, will also see time at shortstop and second base. "Physically, he is the strongest middle-infielder and has the potential to be a productive offensive player", said Collins.
THIRD BASE
Sophomore Syril Kress (Littlestown/Littlestown) will start at third base this season. "Kress has excellent power from the left side and can drive the ball to all fields. He will see time in the middle of the lineup."
Sophomore Jeremy Eck (Williamsport/Montoursville), a versatile player, will see time at third base as well as the outfield, and designated hitter (DH). Eck, hit .259 in 54 at bats last season.
OUTFIELD
Matt Robinson (York/Red Lion), an All-PSAC Second Team selection last season, will return to left field this year. Robinson batted .330 last season and scored 21 runs. "Robinson has shown the ability to spray the ball to all fields, hit behind the runner and work deep in the count."
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In center field, Andy Bucher (Littlestown/Littlestown) returns for his junior season. "Bucher is a strong, physical player and he might be the best athlete on the team," noted Collins. "He has excellent speed and has good range in the outfield." Bucher batted .309, with 20 RBI and 19 runs scored in 2005.
Freshman Keith Sacarakis (Allentown/Liberty) will take over in right field for Bloomsburg. Sacarakis, an all-conference player in high school, is a gifted athlete who will be a good college hitter. "He has an excellent arm and also shows pop at the plate, Collins said."
Rob Watlock (Plains/Alleghany CC) will see time at outfield, as well as DH this season. Watlock, a transfer from West Virginia, will hit in the middle of the lineup in 2006. "He shows good home run power to all fields and will be an RBI guy," said Collins.
Sophomore Brian Tugend (Taylor/Riverside) will also see time in the outfield this season. "Tugend will be a good stick off the bench and will have an impact as a DH or a pinch-hitter" Freshman Kevin Plott (Mechanicsburg/Cumberland Valley), will provide depth to the outfield. He will also serves as pinch runner and a defensive replacement late in games.
PITCHING
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Returning to this year's starting rotation are junior's Casey Markey (York/Dallastown) and Chace Phillips (Milton/Milton). Markey led the team in several categories last season, including wins, E.R.A, and innings pitched. "Markey has excellent command of his pitches and changes speed very well," Collins said. "He is a great competitor and will give a strong effort every time he is on the mound."
"Phillips is a crafty left hander, who keeps the ball down in the zone and does a good job of getting ahead in the count." Phillips, a two-year starter, will see significant innings again this year and will be a key member of the starting rotation.
Also joining the rotation is sophomore Dustin Johnson (Sunbury/Shikellemy). "Johnson is a deceptive left-handed pitcher," noted Collins. "He has good movement on all of his pitches. He throws a good breaking ball and has excellent command of the strike zone."
Sophomore David Rute (Milton/Milton), a left handed pitcher, will see a lot of time out of the bullpen for the Huskies. Freshman Ryan Sanders (Danville/Danville) and sophomore Mike Kelchak (Hazelton/Hazelton) will also see significant innings out of the pen. Kelchak will battle for a spot in the starting rotation as well.
Junior Jeff Withelder (Wallingford/Strath Haven) and sophomore Paul Culbertson (Dowingtown/Downingtown West) will also be key members of the bullpen. "Both will give us innings and can keep us in games as well as preserve a win," said Collins.
"Overall, we don't have a lot of power arms, but they will throw strikes," Collins added. "Our staff needs to work ahead of hitters and work both sides of the plate. If we can do that on a consistent basis we will win games."
OVERALL
The PSAC will be very competitive again this year. Mansfield, Kutztown and West Chester should be the top teams in the league. Collins feels the Huskies will need to play well on a consistent basis in order to compete for a playoff spot.
Bloomsburg will play a difficult non-conference schedule in order to prepare for conference play. The Huskies will play Georgia College, who finished last season ranked 28th by the Collegiate Baseball Magazine Poll, and USC-Aiken who were ranked 8th in the 2006 Collegiate Baseball Magazine's Pre-Season Poll. "This will be the toughest schedule in years, Collins explained. "We hope to learn from these games against some of the best programs in the country. The experience will be challenging and we hope it will pay dividends."