2008 Baseball Preview

For every team and player that takes a step onto the field of competition, setting a goal for that season is a much a part of preseason preparation as is practicing. For the 2008 Bloomsburg University baseball that goal could be defined in one word... finish.

In each of the last year two years, the Huskies and head coach Mike Collins have battled hard through a long season, only to come up short in their quest for a PSAC playoff berth. In 2008, the Huskies want to finish the job and reach the conference playoffs for the first time since the 1997 season.

"Last year we were young, which impacted us finishing off some games we could have won," said Collins. "But, this year we return some guys that have logged some significant playing time. Having some veterans in the lineup will help us play better late in games."

CATCHER:

Senior Rich Letts moves into a starting role after backing up Vinnie James. Letts batted .225 in 25 games last season with 15 RBI. However, he played his best baseball toward the end of the season, which has the Bloomsburg coaching staff excited that he can pick up where he left off last year. Behind Letts are two freshmen who can contribute. Keenan McCaan, who was an All-State player at Hanover High School near Wilkes-Barre, Pa., will provide depth at the position and has the coaching staff excited after a strong showing in fall workouts. Mike Rapine also looks to push McCaan time.

FIRST BASE:

At first, Kevin Ward returns and hopes to build off a stellar season in 2007 that saw him garner a spot on the All-PSAC second team. Bloomsburg is counting on Ward to be a force in the middle of their lineup and is hoping he can get off to a fast start on the year.

Backing up Ward is freshman Tyler Gansner, a transfer from UNC-Charlotte. Ganster was an all-state selection in high school. He showed tremendous home run power in fall practices and is considered a strong candidate to be the team's DH when not playing first. "He's the type of player that if he's not hitting in the middle of the lineup, he has the kind of power to eventually become a number four hitter in this league," added Collins.

SECOND BASE:

Preston Hitchcock returns after having a breakout season a year ago. A prototypical lead-off guy, Hitchcock looks to build off a season in which he led the team in walks and stolen bases.

SHORTSTOP:

Matt Allen had a solid season as a junior and will look to build on that success and also be a team leader this season. "He can make every play defensively", said Collins. "With the game on the line, we want our opponents to hit the ball to Allen."

THIRD BASE:

In the hot corner, Paul Eckley returns with a full-year of experience under his belt. After starting slowly, Eckley continued to improve both offensively and defensively as the year went on. "Good defensive third basemen are hard to come by at this level and he's one of the best I've ever coached when it comes to defense," noted Collins.

Backing up Eckley will be freshman Kirk Duffee, who will be more of an offensive threat for the team and can hit the ball to all parts of the field.

Another key role player expected to contribute in the infield is sophomore Zach Silver, who can play second, shortstop and third. Silver is a solid defensive and is a pesky hitter who will add depth in several areas.

OUTFIELD:

In left, Bloomsburg is counting on sophomore converted infielder, Tony Donofry to start. Battling Donofry for playing time will be freshman Carlos Medina, who comes to Bloomsburg after hitting over .400 at Manheim Township High School, as well as earning all-conference honors.

In center, Chris Tressler looks to build off his freshman season and is considered one of the team's leaders and is expected to have a big year at the plate.

In right field, freshman Anthony Foreman is the projected starter after showing tremendous potential in pre-season workouts. Foreman has shown he has great speed and a solid arm in the outfield, while displaying that he can handle the bat at the plate. Battling with Foreman for playing time will be sophomore Donaven Rodriguez, who had played well during the fall.

Freshman Billy Phillips will also be competing for playing time at all three outfield spots and has shown some good baseball instincts in the early season workouts.

PITCHING:

The Bloomsburg starting pitching staff looks to rebuild itself after losing several starters to graduation. Leading the pack will be senior Dustin Johnson, who has terrific command on the mound coming from the left side.

In the number two spot on the rotation will be sophomore right-hander Grant Kernaghan who is a hard thrower with a good breaking ball and change-up. In the three-spot is senior Chace Phillips who is coming off a redshirt season. Phillips has good velocity and a good breaking ball from the left side.

The number four spot is up for grabs between senior Paul Culbertson and junior Michael Griggs. Culbertson will try to build off the season he had a year ago in which he primarily came out of the bullpen and registered a 2.31 ERA in 10 appearances with a save and a victory. Griggs, a left-hander, has good velocity on the mound and throws a strong breaking ball.

In the bullpen, freshman Mike Rossetti and Seth Pauling look to log innings from each side of the mound. Rosetti is a crafty lefty who has a good change-up, while Pauling is a big, hard-throwing righty who had a great fall and will be counted on to get strikeouts.

Sophomore Jonathan Derkits will also be called upon to get right-handed batters out, while freshman Zach Keiser will also provide help the bullpen out throughout the year.

Also, two position players in Gansner and Hitchcock will help out the cause in the bullpen. Hitchcock could be used in a closer role as the season goes on, as he has shown he can throw hard in pre-season practice.

OVERALL:

"My expectation is that we will get better as our at-bats pile up, our innings pile up and as we get deeper into the season," noted Collins. "I like the makeup and work ethic of our team. I think we have the type of guys that will compete hard and be able to reach their goals."

Like last season, Bloomsburg will have their annual spring break trip that will see the team play 12 games in 10 days against some of the top Division II baseball programs in the country. Included in this group are Coker College, Shepherd and Newberry.

"Our focus and attention is on conference play and we want to do everything we can to perform at the highest level once we get into the league," stated Collins. "One of the reasons why we have improved throughout the year is that we play tough games early. We are much more prepared for PSAC East play because of it."

"Overall though, we don't just want to just compete hard, but we want to win," said Collins. "A year ago playing hard was good enough for us. This season our main goal is to finish games, which means winning,"