Tag: Season Preview

Continentals Hoping to Take the ‘CAC by Surprise: Hamilton Season Preview

LaShawn Ware '18 will be counted on, despite his youth, to be a workhorse for the Continentals. (Courtesy of Darryn Slover and Bates Athletics)
LaShawn Ware ’18 will be counted on, despite his youth, to be a workhorse for the Continentals. (Courtesy of Williams Athletics)

Editors’ Note: While 99 percent of the work done in these previews is credited directly to the author, the projected records are a decision made together by the editors, Adam and Joe. So if you don’t like it, blame us.

Projected Record: 0-8

Projected Starters

Offense

QB: Brandon Tobin ’18
RB: LaShawn Ware ’17
FB: Jason Nastovski ’18
WR: Patrick Donahoe ’16
WR: Charles Ensley ’17
TE: Jordan Jenkins ’17
LT: Robert McClure ’17
LG: Dylan Berardelli ’16
C: Nicholas Gustaitis’16
RG: Jeffrey Jenkins ’16
RT: Matthew Snider ’17

Defense

DE: Brent Lobien ’17
DT: Paul Green ’17 / Nick Sobczyk ’17*
DE: Tyler Hudson ’19
DL/LB: Mickey Keating ’17
LB: John Phelan ’16
LB: Cade Larabee ’16
LB: Matthew Glebus ’17
CB: Conor Powers ’17
CB: Jimmy Giattino ’17 / James Taylor ’17** (currently recovering from a hamstring injury, but will not be out long)
SS: Alex Mitko ’16
FS: Colby Powers ’19

*Green and Sobczyk figure to split time at defensive tackle
**Giattino will start while Taylor recovers from a hamstring injury, but the latter figures to takeover the starting role once healthy

Offensive MVP: RB LaShawn Ware

Ideally, QB Brandon Tobin ’18, Hamilton’s recent acquisition and the potential saving grace for the Continental offense, would be the pick. With the right man, Hamilton just might have enough leadership and tactical smarts to create a new offensive dynamic that churns out a better outcome. Realistically, LaShawn Ware will probably be the team’s MVP. He dominated the field last season and will no doubt lead Hamilton’s ground game yet again. The junior tops the team with 299 yards rushing and an average of 42.7 yards per game. Consequently, he boasts some impressive NESCAC rankings: Ware ranked second in the conference for rushes and 10th for yards per game. With his history on the squad, the RB has the experience and skill to launch the Hamilton offense into a more successful season than in past years.

Defensive MVP: LB John Phelan.

The senior finished seventh in the NESCAC with 68 tackles and 8.5 tackles per game and second for fumble recoveries. One never would have guessed that the Chicago-native was recruited by former head coach Steve Stetson as a quarterback. Phelan has led Hamilton’s defense since he became a starter in his sophomore year and, with his impressive resume and grueling dedication, will no doubt continue to (literally) crush the opposition.

Biggest Game: Hamilton’s home opener vs. Tufts (Sept. 26)

Last year the Continentals dropped their season opener—a game they anticipated winning—against the Jumbos, who until then held a sorry 31-game streak of losses.

“We can’t forget Tufts … We need to think about it every day,” Murray admitted.

The coaches and players alike certainly can’t ignore the ultimate result of their cockiness and mental mistakes that day. To be fair, Hamilton statistically out-played Tufts: the defense surrendered just 12 first downs and 236 total yards, while the offense gained 416 yards. But the Continentals struggled with their return game and were penalized 12 times for 117 yards, mistakes that could easily have been avoided with better ball safety and communication. In pre-season camp, Hamilton has deliberately focused on returns with the Tufts debacle in mind. Murray believes the Continentals are a different team this year, and hopefully they can prove their growth in the upcoming rematch.

QB Colin Pastorella '16 has an uphill battle if he is going to earn reps over incumbent Chase Rosenberg '17 and transfer Brandon Tobin '18.
QB Colin Pastorella ’16 (14) has an uphill battle if he is going to earn reps over incumbent Chase Rosenberg ’17 and transfer Brandon Tobin ’18.

Summary: Hamilton hasn’t won a game in nearly three years, when they just barely outscored Bowdoin. Ever since, the team has consistently trailed behind other NESCAC schools in rankings: Last year alone, Hamilton placed ninth in scoring, points per game, total offense, and yards per game, among other categories. Though the Continental defense was only sub-par in conference standings, it is clear that the offense sunk far below standards.

Yet, the looming threat of being cut from the squad sparked motivation and progress away from the seemingly accepted pattern of defeat. Between returning players and recruits, approximately 90 players filled the Hamilton roster at the end of last year, far above the 75-player limit. What more: No one, with the exception of recruited freshman, was safe. Though handfuls of upperclassmen left the team prior to camp, several players are still at risk for the chopping board before the season begins in two weeks.

The season’s hot button topic, however, is unquestionably the quarterback battle between Colin Pastorella ’16, Chase Rosenberg ’17 and Brandon Tobin ’18. Though Rosenberg has been the designated QB1 since the second week of his freshman year, two inconsistent seasons with a 0-16 record raises a few eyebrows. Pastorella was thrown into the game various times last season in attempts to save the Hamilton offense, but it seems that the current forerunner for the coveted spot is D-II Pace transfer Tobin. Tobin started three games at quarterback for Pace and before that was the Section I-AA Offensive MVP for New York. Coach Murray emphasized that creative skills in actual game settings—rather than seniority or loyalty based upon Hamilton experience—determined who starts against Tufts, but nothing is permanently set in stone.

“The bottom line is we’re looking for … someone who will do more than just not make bad plays,” Murray explained.

Aside from the QB controversy, much of Hamilton’s lineup remains steady under the captainship of Dylan Berardelli ’16 and Pat Donahoe ’16 on offense and Cade Larabee ’16 and Alex Mitko ’16 on defense. Offensively, the team believes that a new QB will create a different—more successful—dynamic with familiar team members. The offensive line lost All-NESCAC tackle Nick Noonan ’15, but the returning players—Berardelli, Jeff Jenkins ’16, Rob McClure ’17 and Matt Snider ’17 will continue to hold the line alongside Nicholas Gustaitis ’16 as center. Nick Caso ’16, Charles Ensley ’17 and Donahoe return at wide receiver, and Ware, the Continentals’ leading rusher and remaining running back from last year’s squad should be better than ever. Jason “Bane” Nostovski ’18, nicknamed for his intimidating figure and prowess, will take the majority of the snaps at fullback.

No player can truly replace all-NESCAC recipient Michael de Percin ’15, but Hamilton’s defense has much potential for a strong season. Phelan leads the pack of linebackers with by Matt Glebus ’17 and Larabee. Jimmy Giattino ’17 will take up CB while James Taylor ’17 recovers from an injury. The Continentals have showcased some of their best talent on the defensive end of the ball, and it’s doubtful this season will be an exception.

Already, Hamilton has shown improvement. In their scrimmage against D-I Cornell on Sept. 12, the Continentals defeated their opponents 7-0 (Cornell scored a touchdown, but the points were revoked due to excessive celebration). With any luck, the momentum built from this success will remain going into conference competition.

Biggest Surprise of Camp: Inevitable team cuts certainly scared players into mental and physical shape. Pre-season tests show that the players are stronger, faster, and generally fitter than last season.

“We actually look like a football team now,” Murray said.

The coaches and captains agree that competition has made everyone better, both on the field and in the locker room. “Practices are more intentional and more focused,” Captain Berardelli added. Players have expressed stronger commitment to the program, creating positive atmosphere among teammates. Should growth continue, it can and will ultimately benefit the culture of football at Hamilton and improve the team’s reputation from recent seasons.

 

Best Tweet of the Offseason: OL Coach Matt Wright

Wesleyan Team Preview – Same Team, Greater Expectations

2013 Record: 7-1

Returning Starters: 19 (eight offense, 10 defense, one specialist)

Offensive Overview:

You won’t find a more complete team on either side of the ball in the NESCAC. Eight All-NESCAC honorees return to the Cardinal lineup, four on offense. The Cardinals will lean heavily on the run, as they rushed 353 times last year compared to just 174 pass attempts. LaDarius Drew ’15 ran for 94.5 yards per game last year, and his “back-up,” if it’s fair to call it that, Kyle Gibson ’15 earned Second Team honors by rushing for 73.4 yards per game. If miraculously either of those two workhorses stumble, Lou Stevens ’17 averaged 5.9 yards per carry over his 40 touches. Quarterback Jesse Warren ’15 wasn’t an All-NESCAC recipient, but he had the highest completion percentage and yards per attempt in the league and was second to Mac Foote in TD passes. His only three interceptions came in the season finale at Trinity. Josh Hurwitz ’15 and Jay Fabien ’15 are both in their fourth years as starting receivers. Tight end Jonathan Day ’15 is another All-NESCAC honoree. He serves primarily as a run blocker but was fourth on the squad in receptions last year. The offensive line is stacked as well. Pat DiMase ’15 (Second Team) and Blake Cunningham ’16 line up at tackle, while there is some competition for starting time on the interior, although Taylor Bishop ’15, Shane Scannell ’15 and Austin Frank ’15 are the frontrunners and each has game experience.

Defensive Overview:

The returning depth on the defensive side might even be more impressive than that of the offense. Linebacker Myers Beaird graduated, but starters are back everywhere else. Furthermore, the Cardinals like to rotate players on defense and keep legs fresh, so players up and down the roster have in-game experience. Nik Powers ’15 and grad student Jordan Otis line up at defensive end. Ibraheem Khadar ’15 and Mitch Godfrey ’15 will be on the interior. A host of others will rotate through the defensive line, including Alex Sakhno ’15, Greg Blaize ’16 and Jordan Stone ’17. The linebacking corps is a strength, with leading tackler Alex Daversa-Russo ’16 and Gregg Kelley ’15 back. The third spot will be filled by Jake Siciliano ’15, who opened 2013 as the starter but it was then discovered that he had a stomach tumor. Siciliano’s injury made room for Daversa-Russo in the line up, and having both on the field in 2014 will make the Wesleyan defense that much scarier. In the defensive backfield, grad student Jake Bussani will make a run for his fourth straight All-NESCAC First Team award. Vincent Davis ’15 will be the opposite corner. At safety, two-sport stud Donnie Cimino ’15 returns and is joined by Justin Sanchez ’17 who started in 2013. Lastly, Devon Carrillo ’17 will be on the field as a safety-linebacker hybrid. Carrillo was the team’s second-leading tackler, and was awarded All-NESCAC honors as a return man for his 25.7 yard average on kickoffs. In reality, the defense has more than 10 starters returning. Add Siciliano and Carrillo to the tally, and there are 12 players back who could be considered starters.

Courtesy of Wesleyan Athletics
Clockwise from top left: Donnie Cimino; Jonathan Day; Jay Fabien; Jake Bussani – Courtesy of Wesleyan Athletics

Three Big Questions

1. Can Wesleyan Win the Big One?

After rolling through the first half of the season, outscoring its opponents 163-22, Wesleyan saw some stiffer competition in the final four weeks, and squeaked out victories over its Little Three rivals by a total of eight points. Then disaster struck, Warren failed to take care of the ball as he had all season, the defense imploded, and Trinity closed out its season with a 40-10 beat down of the would-be outright champs. The Cardinals are out to prove that they have become the preeminent program in the NESCAC, and that they can beat big brother down the road in Hartford.

2. Will the Little Three Crown Stay in Middletown?

After a 43-year drought, Wesleyan finally defeated Amherst and Williams in the same season, earning the Little Three championship. Though as mentioned above, the victories were slim. Amherst essentially threw away that matchup with three interceptions and a fumble lost, allowing the Cardinals to get out of Amherst with a 20-14 win, while a late field goal was the difference in Wesleyan’s 16-14 defeat of Williams. Wesleyan will be the favorite in both games but victories will not come easily.

3. Who Steps in for Departed Placekicker Sebastian Aguirre?

Aguirre was arguably the best placekicker in the NESCAC last year, and indeed made the All-NESCAC Second Team for his efforts, and as noted above he kicked the game winner that sealed the Little Three title for the Cardinals. Options to replace Aguirre include backup QB Ike Fuchs ’16, who came into camp atop the depth chart, Corey Phillips ’17 and newcomer John Henry-Carey ’18.

Team MVP: LaDarius Drew. You know that the Cardinals are going to pound opponents with the run game, and Drew will be the team’s workhorse. Expect both him and Gibson to be at the top of the leaderboards in every rushing category. Oh by the way, if healthy Drew will easily become the school’s all-time leader in rushes, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

Biggest Game of the Year: Nov. 8 against Trinity

Is there any doubt? These are probably the two best teams in the conference, they are a 25-minute drive up 91 apart from one another, and Wesleyan still has a sour taste in its mouth from last year when the Bantams took the Cardinals’ NESCAC title and divided it into three parts. It’s not impossible that both teams could be undefeated heading into this game.

Best Tweet of the Offseason: The Wesleyan Football Twitter account (@Wes_Football) kept its followers up to date on what a lot of the Cardinals were doing this summer. Kyle Gibson interned at JPMorgan and was offered a full-time job upon graduation, Josh Hurwitz worked with the Celtics organization and Mitch Godfrey was with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod League. But our favorite has to be this series of tweets about how LaDarius Drew spent his summer.

The Cardinals are locked and loaded. Anything short of a NESCAC title will be a disappointment for Wesleyan.

Williams Team Preview – The Defense Knows Howe to Win

2013 Record: 2-6

Returning Starters: 17 (seven offense, eight defense, two specialists)

Offensive Overview: 

One thing is certain about the Williams offense. Number 22 is going to see a lot of carries. Fifth-year running back Alex Scyocurka saw 155 of the team’s 261 carries in 2013, and that percentage will likely rise as the Ephs plan to ride the workhorse back. Where there is less certainty is the quarterback position, where returners Tom Murphy ’15 and Mark Pomella ’16 are competing with Boston College transfer Austin Lommen ’17. Lommen redshirted his first year at BC and didn’t see the field in year two, but that’s a similar story to that of a pretty successful quarterback who left his mark on the program up in Middlebury over the last couple years. Neither Murphy or Pomella had consistent success in 2013, so the door stands open for the newcomer.

Whoever is under center (or behind, as head coach Aaron Kelton intends to spread the field a bit more this season) will have experienced targets at his disposal. Steven Kiesel ’15 and Darrias Sime ’16 saw starter-like reps last year and were second and third on the team in receptions, and starting tight end Alex Way ’16 returns. The offensive line should be a strength. Led by Alan Felix ’15, the entire o-line will have starting experience.

Defensive Overview:

Williams’ 4-3 defense was slightly above average in 2013, but one area where the Ephs excelled as pass defense, allowing the second-fewest pass yards per game of any team in the conference. This is due in part to the work done by All-NESCAC First-Teamer James Howe ’16 at defensive end, arguably the best returning defensive player in the league. Howe racked up 10 sacks and 17 tackles for loss, and remarkably led the team in total tackles. All-NESCAC Second Team safety Tom Cabarle ’15 and company benefited from the pressure created by Howe and others. Both starting corners are back from last year, and fifth-year man Andre Lafontant will return from an injury that kept him out most of 2013 and should slot in next to Cabarle at safety. The Ephs return their entire starting linebacker core with Antonio Blanco ’15, James O’Grady ’16 and John Bond ’16 as well as Jack Ryan ’16 who has plenty of experience. The defense should improve in 2014 and will benefit if the offense can do a better job with time of possession.

Three Big Questions:

1. Can the offense sustain long drives?

The defense was better last year than most people realize, allowing the third-fewest yards per play in the NESCAC. But the offense did little to help out, putting up the worst time of possession in the league. Despite seeing so much time on the field, the defense was able to hold the league’s top four offenses to 21 points or less. So for Williams to turn its record around in 2014, the offense will need to show marked improvement. Much of that responsibility lies with the quarterback position, as there is experience and production returning at every other position.

2. Can Scyocurka stay healthy?

The feature back has struggled with injuries over the course of his career, which explains why he’s earned an extra year of eligibility. As a freshman Scyocurka carried the ball 67 times, but then only played in six games between 2011-12. Reports were that Scyocurka was healthier than ever entering camp. If he can combine his 2013 durability (59 percent of the team’s carries) and his 2012 explosiveness (5.3 yards per rush), Scyocurka might make a surprise push for Offensive Player of the Year.

3. Can James Howe elevate his game?

Howe already put up great numbers in 2013, earning 2.5 more sacks than the next most prolific pass rusher. But he can’t become complacent. So much of the defense’s success depends on his getting pressure on the quarterback and plugging holes against the run. It’s a long shot, but Williams has a Player of the Year candidate on both sides of the ball.

Team MVP: James Howe. He was probably the team’s best player last year, and even if he only repeats those numbers he would still be a logical choice. One could also look to the aforementioned Scyocurka or Felix as possible candidates, but Howe’s production from defensive end is so far above his peers that there’s really no debate.

Biggest Game: Nov. 8 at Amherst

The Biggest Little Game in America lives on for its 129th edition in 2014. No matter the records, this game is the most important on both teams’ schedules. Williams holds the historical advantage having gone 71-52-5, but the Lord Jeffs have won three straight. It’s possible that one (or both) of these teams will still be playing for a title in Week 8, which adds even more drama to this already emotionally-charged game.

Best Tweet of the Offseason: This is from back in March. Wide receiver Darrias Sime and former Williams basketball center Mike Mayer took some time to read to a class of first graders at South Elementary School.

Improved quarterback play should give the Ephs a good chance at competing for a spot near the top of the NESCAC in 2014. The defense will be strong again and the offense will lean heavily Scyocurka. If everything clicks the Ephs will be a surprise team this season.

Baseball Team Previews

To make things a little easier, below are links to in-depth capsules for every team in the NESCAC. Each capsule includes our picks for the team’s Most Valuable Player, Pitcher of the Year, what the team lost from 2013, and finally the overall outlook for the season. Enjoy!

Amherst

Bates

Bowdoin

Colby

Hamilton

Middlebury

Trinity

Tufts

Wesleyan

Williams

Trinity Season Preview

Trinity (27-19, 8-4 in 2013)

What they lost:

The losses of Joe Papa and Alex Almeida will be huge for the offense, and departed outfielder Marc Crowley also hit over .300 in 2013. This offense will need a number of juniors to step up with only two senior position players on the roster, both of which saw limited time last year. Ben Goldberg, the only graduating pitcher, will be missed, but Trinity certainly has enough talent to fill that spot with the combination of Peter Burrows ’14, Scott Huley ’15 and Sean Meekins ’15. While Trinity is still young, they did not lose a lot in the offseason and should be looking forward to a tight-knit, experienced team this spring.

2014 MVP: P/OF Scott Huley ’15

A two-way player at pitcher and outfielder, Huley led the team with an outstanding .500 OBP last year, and placed third with a .371 batting average. With Papa graduating, Huley will likely move from the 5-spot to the 3-spot in the lineup. He also led the team in batting average against and was third in ERA on the mound. He will look to fill the void left by Papa and Almeida, who both bested him in batting average last year. If Huley can add some power to his 6’4’’ 175 lbs. frame, Trinity will remain atop the league in average in 2014.

2014 Pitcher of the Year: Peter Burrows ’14

After a junior campaign in which he led the team in innings pitched, strikeouts, and complete games, the senior captain will look to improve upon a 3.38 ERA in 2014. The powerful righty will replace Goldberg as the team’s ace and will look to improve on allowing 60 hits in 50 innings pitched in 2013. He is leading a young staff that struggled a bit last year, so he will have to have confidence to start off 2014 in the right way.

Season Outlook:

The coaching change is the biggest news for Trinity as Bryan Adamski, a former assistant at Amherst, replaces last year’s interim coach, Mark Lambert. Regardless of who is at the helm, Trinity should have another great year. Look for the Bantams to make a run for their third straight finish atop the East standings this spring. Offensive production may be a problem early on, but Trinity should quickly rebound on the heels of experienced pitching. Huley’s two-way abilities are certainly their largest asset, and they should capitalize on five returning starters that batted over .270 last season.

Hamilton Season Preview

Hamilton (16-21, 4-8 in 2013)

What they lost:

Gabe Klein will certainly be missed as he left with the best career on base percentage (.469) in Hamilton history. Thankfully, he and Sam Fuentes are the only starting position players that left the team, meaning Hamilton has an experienced group of everyday players this spring. Hamilton is only losing two pitchers, Mike Williams and Steve Wright, who both struggled with ERAs over 7.00 in limited action last year. Other than Klein, Hamilton has not lost a lot which means their entire team should be used to playing together which will only help in terms of chemistry.

2014 MVP: SS Zack Becker ’16

Starting in 29 games last year, Hamilton’s sophomore phenom is looking to build on an impressive batting average of .323 to go along with a .434 on-base percentage. With the loss of Klein, Becker will have to step up and lead the team into 2014. That can be a daunting task for a sophomore who will likely move up from fifth to third in the lineup this year. However, Becker’s previous stats show he’s up to the challenge. He will set the pace for an offense that does not hit a lot of home runs (only five total last year, four by Klein), and focuses on average and base running to score. Look for Hamilton to move up in the standings if Becker can pick up where he left off.

2014 Pitcher of the Year: J.J. Lane ’15

Lane had a tough freshman year, going 2-6 with a 7.80 ERA over nine starts. He gained confidence and turned everything around in his sophomore campaign, at 1-2 with a 1.46 ERA over eight starts. While some falling off is expected, anything near Lane’s 2013 dominance would be impressive. He will head up an experienced rotation that includes fellow junior Alex Pachella ’15 along with senior Colin Henneberger ’14 and sophomore Cole Dreyfuss ’16. If Hamilton’s offense can improve their run support, Lane should win most of his starts this year.

Season outlook:

Despite four straight finishes at last or tied for last in their division, Hamilton has improved it’s NESCAC record each year from 1-11 in 2010 to 4-8 last year. They won one game against each NESCAC opponent, and will look to change that into winning serieses in 2014. The season hinges on a number of juniors who will need to step up in their first year as upperclassmen. Production from Becker and Lane should be expected, but players such as Andrew Jaffoni ’15, Tyler Reinhold ’15 and Alex Pachella ’15 could make or break Hamilton’s season.

 

Tufts Season Preview

Tufts (22-13, 7-5 in 2013)

What they lost:

The Jumbos have a huge level of talent on their roster, but they were not immune to offseason losses. Shortstop Scott Staniewicz was probably the most important offensive force for Tufts last year, hitting .344 with 22 RBI and a fantastic .452 OBP. He also stole 11 bases. Outfielder Nate Izzo batted .322 with 16 RBI and also stole 11 bases. The departure of these two table setters leaves Tufts with significant worries about who can get on base in front of sluggers Wade Hauser ’15 and Matt Freccia ’14.  They will probably bank on Nick Barker ’15 continuing his 2013 success, and on improvement from junior speedster Connor McDavitt ’15, who already gets on base at a .437 clip. Staniewicz and Izzo would be difficult to replace for any team, but if there’s a team with the talent to do it, it’s Tufts.

2014 MVP: Wade Hauser ’15

Tufts has several dangerous hitters in their lineup, with three returning players who hit over .300 last year. But one slugger stands a cut above the rest in their lineup, and that is junior infielder Wade Hauser.  Last year, as a sophomore, Hauser hit .358, with three homers and 24 RBI.  He also posted an impressive .925 OPS.  This was enough to earn him a 2nd team all-NESCAC nod. For these next two years, we can expect only more of the same from Hauser, which is a scary thought for the pitchers of NESCAC. In addition to Hauser, first baseman Freccia (.379 with 16 RBI) and catcher Barker (.344) will make up the middle of the order, replacing Staniewicz and Izzo.

2014 Pitcher of the Year: Andrew David ’16

One would be hard pressed to find a more dangerous pitching staff in NESCAC than the one Tufts is trotting out this season. An astounding six pitchers from last year’s staff had an ERA under 3.00, with four of them returning this season. Indeed, it is difficult to choose a pitcher who truly stands out in Tufts’ staff, as there is so much talent across the board. But Andrew David ’16 gets the nod because of his youth and versatility. David made six starts in his 13 appearances, tossing two shutouts. In his 54 innings pitched, he only walked 9, while striking out 47. Allow me to reiterate: that was his freshman year. In addition to David, ace closer Matt Moser ’16 (1.96 ERA) returns, and appropriately named lefty Kyle Slinger ’15 (2.71 with 4 wins) is back as well.  To the dismay of the rest of NESCAC, Tufts’ staff vaguely resembles the Orioles of the ’70’s, and should remain dominant for the foreseeable future.

Season Outlook:

To be blunt, this team is loaded. The offense will step back slightly without Staniewicz and Izzo, but Hauser, Freccia and Barker will keep it highly dangerous.  And honestly, any offense would be adequate with the pitching staff Tufts has lined up. The ceiling for this team is getting higher every day, and only injuries will keep them from being in heavy contention for the NESCAC title.

Middlebury Season Preview

Middlebury (12-19, 4-8 in 2013)

What they lost:

Despite heavy losses in the offseason due to graduating seniors, the most devastating blows to Middlebury’s lineup came just this last week. Hunter Merryman ’15 and Dylan Sinnickson ’15, the two best offensive players on the team, both made the decision not to go out this year.  Merryman and Sinnickson, who both also play basketball, tied for the team lead in average last year at .379, and Sinnickson led the team in pretty much every major offensive category. Among the graduating seniors were the top three RBI men on the team in Mike Morris, Tom Driscoll, and Tom Rafferty. If you add Merryman and Sinnickson to that list, that’s five of the top six. Morris, Driscoll, Sinnickson and Merryman all hit well over .300, and Morris added a team leading 13 steals. In terms of the rotation, Noah Bakker ’15, despite posting a sub-4.00 ERA in 2013, will not be with the team in 2014 by the coaches’ decision. To make up those losses, Middlebury will need not only established players like Eric Truss ’15 and Alex Kelly ’14 to continue playing well, but for a bevy of sophomores and first-years to step up and do what they can to fill the gaps.

2014 MVP: Outfielder Alex Kelly ’14

With Sinnickson and Merryman gone, a huge offensive burden falls onto senior captain Alex Kelly.  Kelly batted .316 last year with 14 RBI.  He didn’t have any home runs, but he still slugged at a .447 clip, showing solid gap to gap power. It is unclear where Coach Bob Smith will employ Kelly’s talents. Kelly has decent speed and could be an effective lead-off man, given his uncanny knack for fighting off pitches and making pitchers work. If the NESCAC tracked pitchers per plate appearance, there is no doubt that Kelly would be one of the leaders in that category. On the other hand, Smith may decide to drop Kelly into the heart of the order in the three or four slot. Kelly’s leadership and talent will be imperative if Middlebury hopes to weather these disappointing losses.

2014 Pitcher of the Year: Eric Truss ’15

The pitching staff will also be crucial for a comeback, as the lineup will probably be weakened.  And for the first time in several years, pitching appears to be the strength of the Panthers.  The (admittedly heavy) losses that Middlebury sustained in the offseason were primarily position players, leaving the majority of the staff intact. The return of Matt Leach ’15, who had an inspiring freshman campaign, from Tommy John surgery brings a new weapon to the rotation. Tri-captain Dylan Kane ’14 and Logan Mobley ’15 should make larger contributions than was the case last year, and Mark Dickerson ’15 was very effective out of the bullpen last year, posting a 1.02 ERA in 10 appearances. But, as is the case with the lineup, only one returner can truly be counted on at this point, and that is tri-captain Truss. Last year, Truss made the leap to the ace of the staff, leading the starters in ERA (3.54) and wins (three). Using his excellent control (only 9 walks in 48 innings), Truss could be ready to make another leap, into all-NESCAC territory.  A dangerous pitching staff has not exactly been a staple of recent Panthers teams, but this year’s incarnation appears poised to break the mold.

Season Outlook:

This is a very young team. Along with the stats, Sinnickson, Merryman and the departing seniors are taking away much of the seniority. At most, two upperclassmen will be in the starting lineup when the team heads to Arizona to begin the season. To be competitive this year, the Panthers will have to play smart, fundamentally sound baseball. The rotation should be good enough to keep the games close, so the offense will have to be able to scrape out enough runs to back them up. This should be the team that writers like me get to wear out clichés on. The Panthers might not have the talent this year to really compete for a NESCAC title, but the experience that these young players get this year be huge in preparing them for the coming years. And who knows, maybe the Panthers will get hot and make a title run, and then we can get a great sports movie out of it.

 

Amherst Season Preview

Amherst (27-13, 9-3 in 2013)

What They Lost:

There is one major difference between this year’s team and the 2013 version that had a program-record 27 victories and won the NESCAC championship; 1B/DH/P Bob Cook posted a NESCAC-leading 0.95 ERA on his way to earning Pitcher of the Year honors in 2013 (a year after being named NESCAC Player of the Year) and still found time to hit .368/.487/.484 in 76 at bats, but this year will be on the bench as an assistant coach. Adding to the void is the loss of Nolan Stewart, the team’s top qualified hitter from 2013. However, Amherst is one of few squads in the NESCAC with the bevy of talent to replace such dynamic players.

2014 MVP: P/OF Mike Odenwaelder ’16

Odenwaelder garnered Rookie of the Year honors last season by slashing .331/.538/.383. It’s that middle number that really stands out. His .538 slugging was good for third in the NESCAC last season, and three bombs tied him for third in the league, as well. Odenwaelder manned rightfield for most of 2013, and should continue to anchor an offense that was neck-and-neck atop the NESCAC with Wesleyan last season in almost every offensive category. Odenwaelder brings speed as well. He tallied 10 stolen bases last year and five triples. And just in case your jaw hasn’t hit the floor yet, Odenwaelder has been competing for a spot in the starting rotation, in which case he would likely move to DH, allowing a tandem of Alex Hero ’14, Jonathan Ramirez ’16 and Tyler Jacobs ’15, in his return from injury, to man the outfield.

2014 Pitcher of the Year: Dylan Driscoll ’14

Cook is out, but that doesn’t mean this staff is without the talent necessary to capture another NESCAC crown. Captain Dylan Driscoll fronts the rotation. Driscoll posted a 2.76 ERA last season and an absurd 34:4 K:BB ratio, good for eighth in the nation, while his 0.58 BB/9 ratio was good for fourth in all of Division-III. Driscoll tossed one shutout and two complete games in his nine starts last year, and should be one of the league’s most durable hurlers, as he was one of three pitchers to surpass the 60 IP threshold in 2013.

Season Outlook:

Amherst returns nine hitters who played at least 19 games last season. All but one hit .304 or better. Rookie of the Year Mike Odenwaelder should improve, Defensive Player of the Year Taiki Kasuga ’14 will continue to vacuum up everything hit his way at shortstop, and Andrew Vandini ’16, who posted the third-best average in NESCAC games last season, will continue to quietly produce. Senior centerfielder and three-year starter Alex Hero should not be overlooked, too. Hero started 24 games and triple-slashed .333/.475/.352 while stealing 12 bases, and will again be in the running for best surname in the NESCAC. Leftfielder Jonathan Ramirez ’16 posted a Votto-like .430 OBP in 2013, and the versatile Brendon Hardin ’15 hit .304/.365/.372, while swiping 13 bags, one less than his teammate, Kasuga. Hardin will likely return to 2B after playing outfield for most of last season. Connor Gunn ’16 and David Cunningham ’16 both garnered at bats behind the dish last year. Gunn started 37 games on his way to batting .328. Last but not least, corner infielder Eric West ’15 got 20 starts last year and slashed .364/.530/.434, leading the Jeffs in slugging. Additionally, OF Tyler Jacobs ’15 returns after missing all of 2013 due to injury. Jacobs hit .244 his freshman season and has a shot to start in 2014.

As for the pitching staff, losing Bob Cook hurts, but his younger brother John Cook ’15 will get the first chance to lock down the third spot in the Jeffs rotation behind the formidable 1-2 of Driscoll and Frank Shepard ’14. While Cook started six games and recorded a 4.29 ERA, Driscoll and Shepard started nine and 10 games, respectively, and were each dominant with ERAs hovering around 3.00. Eric Kotin ’14 returns as the team’s best combination of effectiveness and reliability in the bullpen. Kotin tossed 24.0 innings in relief and posted a 3.38 ERA in 2013. The Jeffs’ other top bullpen arms graduated from last year, but a deep first-year class of hurlers could immediately bolster the Amherst pen.

All told, Amherst will once again be in contention for a NESCAC title.

Wesleyan Season Preview

Wesleyan (25-15-1, 9-3 in 2013)

What They Lost:

Bottom line, not much. Rightfielder Steve Moran played all but one game last season and hit a robust .348, but his bat, though solid, is replaceable. Moran was seventh among qualified hitters on the team in OBP and slugged a paltry (when compared to his average) .385. Captain Chris Bonti has also moved on, who spent most of last season as the team’s designated hitter at the top of the lineup. Bonti was a table-setter of the sabermetric mold, boasting a .443 OBP and rarely striking out (10.3%) while not being known for his speed (1-1 SB). The 2013 Cardinals’ only other two seniors had minimal impacts.

2014 MVP: CF Donnie Cimino ’15

This is an easy call. Cimino, an all-NESCAC football player, has been one of the league’s best ever since he hit .400 as a freshman, and has led the NESCAC in hitting the last two years. Cimino was so good that he worked his way into the 3-hole by the end of that season, and remained there throughout 2013, when he slashed .399/.467/.486. In conference games last season, Cimino was in the top five in AVG, SLG, hits, RBI and runs. Cimino headlines what could be the best offense in the NESCAC this year.

2014 Pitcher of the Year: Jeff Blout ’15

Blout and classmate Nick Cooney started 19 games between them last season, and each posted an ERA of 3.05 or below. Blout was almost a run better than Cooney on the year, finishing with a 2.06 ERA, a 5-2 W-L in nine appearances, all starts, and a 45:16 K:BB ratio. Among starters, Blout ranked fourth in ERA in 2013. The top two in that category (Cook of Amherst and van Zant of Bowdoin) have graduated, so the ERA crowd could come down to Blout and fellow junior JJ Lane of Hamilton. In four in-conference starts, Blout really excelled, posting a 0.75 ERA, and hurling two of his three shutouts in the NESCAC, but he wasn’t at his best come tournament time, giving up 13 hits and four runs in eight innings against Amherst in the finals of the winners’ bracket of the NESCAC tournament.

Season Outlook:

The Cardinals made the postseason last year after a two year hiatus, and are poised to return this season with a chance to claim a NESCAC title and repeat as Little Three champs. The outfield will be a strength for the Cardinals, with Cimino again aiming for a NESCAC batting crown. Jon Dennet ’15, who hit .340 last season and had one of the Cardinals’ two home runs in 2013, will man left field. Second baseman Andrew Yin ’15 and Sam Goodwin-Boyd ’15 each return looking to repeat their All-NESCAC performances from 2013. Goodwin-Boyd tallied the fifth-best slugging percentage in the NESCAC at .525. Third baseman Ben Hoynes ’15 and shortstop Guy Davidson ’16 make up one of the best defensive left sides in the NESCAC. Eric Jones ’16 will handle the duties behind the dish. He played in 34 games last year, and while he was mediocre offensively, he led the NESCAC in runners caught stealing (18) and held would-be base stealers to the lowest stolen base success rate (.679) among starting catchers. First-year Ellis Schaefer is a natural infielder, but will get at bats in right field as long as he continues to hit, while also spelling Davidson and other infielders at times.

The top-ten ERA-leaders from the Cardinals’ 2013 squad return. Blout and Cooney each earned second-team All-NESCAC honors in 2013, and could easily repeat that in 2014. Sam Elias was a dominant reliever in 2013, posting a 2.94 ERA, and could be considered for a starting spot in 2014, though the front-runner for the third weekend slot is Chris Law ’14. Overall, the Wesleyan staff posted a 3.69 ERA in 2013, and could improve on that number this season.

Again, the Lord Jeffs will likely be Wesleyan’s biggest competition for a NESCAC West title, and the two teams could rematch for a NESCAC championship come early May.