| Mar. 03, 2008 |
FALCONS LOOK TO MAKE NOISE IN GNAC THIS SEASON
The Albertus Magnus College Baseball Team is set to open the 2008 season against Polytechnic University in Brooklyn, NY on Saturday before heading out west to Arizona for their spring trip. Coach Leighton is entering his fourth season at the helm of the Falcons and is very excited about the team's chances this season. "We were very fortunate to have a strong recruiting class and have added depth at all positions while expanding the roster to 35 players this season. A transfer class of 3 Division II players and 1 junior college player helped to solidify an already strong freshman class. The competition has served the team well with all players having to battle for playing time this season," Coach Leighton said.
BREAKDOWN OF FALCONS BY POSITION
The Outfield returned all starters this season with 2nd Team All Conference senior Jeff King (New Haven, CT) and 1st Team All Conference and 3rd Team All New England junior Mike Damiani (New Haven, CT) along with two year starter Chris Noske (South Windsor, CT). Last year's starters will see competition from juniors Brandon Fleming (New Haven, CT), Dan Doria (West Haven, CT), sophomore Derrick Birdsong (East Hartford, CT) and freshman Kyle Calechman (North Haven, CT) and Chris Dady (East Haven, CT). "The outfielder's have worked extremely hard all year long and their progress so far this season demonstrates this," stated Coach Leighton.
The Infield returned every starter and again will be anchored by senior shortstop Steve Carosella (Waterbury, CT) and senior 2nd Team All Conference 1B J.R. Bagley (Middletown, CT). Sophomore Erik Suraci will again man the hot corner this season. Slick fielding Division II transfer Nick Roeder (Berlin, CT) will take over the duties at 2B this season. Division II 1B transfer John Stavola (East Berlin, CT) and junior college junior 1B Dave Smith (Falnders, NJ) will also add some pop to the Falcons lineup this season. Sophomore 2B Cameron Giordano (Hamden, CT), freshman shortstop Brett Balzi (Brookfield, CT), 1B Jeff Crisafi (North Haven, CT), Utility Kyle Long (Danielson, CT), 1B Mark Misbach (New Haven, CT), and 3B Dave Pollack (Chesire, CT) all look to contribute and gain time on the field this season. "Our infield defense was our achilles heel last season and I believe that it has significantly improved over last season. Every single infielder on our roster can do something to help the team win and that has certainly shown in practice," Leighton said.
The Catching position lost the only starter in Ray Ricker (Torrington, CT) to graduation and will see a platoon type of set-up this season. Junior Robert Boscarino (Windsor Locks, CT), sophomore Matt Rondinone (East Hartford, CT), senior Luis Rosario (New Haven, CT) along with freshman utility player Kyle Long (Danielson, CT) will be battling for innings this season. "Boscarino has exemplified hard-work and sacrifice and has improved tremendously from over a year ago. Rondinone brings a toughness and competitiveness behind the plate while Rosario is a spark-plug anywhere on the field as his energy is infectious. Long is a versatile player that can play anywhere in the infield and provides depth at our thinnest position," stated Leighton.
The Mound will be the deepest it has ever been under Coach Leighton's watch and has Coach Leighton excited about it's potential. "I am extremely pleased with the development of the pitching staff this season. Coach Hickey has done an outstanding job with the many new faces that will toe the rubber this season. It will certainly be fun to watch these young men develop and grow," he said.
The Starters will consist of two-way players; seniors Jeff King (New Haven, CT) and J.R. Bagley (Middletown, CT), juniors Dan Doria (West Haven, CT) and Mike Damiani (New Haven, CT), and sophomore Division II Transfer John Stavola (East Berlin, CT). Newcomers sophomore Anthony Zumstag (Fairfield, CT), freshman Charles Chancio (Oxford, CT) and Matt Baker (Danielson, CT) round out the rotation for the Falcons.
The Bullpen will be much deeper this season starting with Division II transfer and sophomore closer Jim Maule (Kensington, CT). Senior returners Luis Rosario (New Haven, CT), Craig Emmons (Torrington, CT), and junior returners Brandon Fleming (New Haven, CT), Steve Harding (Brookfield, CT), and Pat Macoy (Bethel, CT) along with sophomore Brendan Hickey (Canaan, CT) help to provide depth in the pen. Freshman Cullen Burnell (Litchfield, CT), Jared Golino (Hamden, CT), and Adam Platner (Northford, CT) will all push for innings in the pen this year.
"We expect big things this season. We believe that if we take care of the little things this season then the big things will soon follow. The players and coaches have worked extremely hard all year long to improve and get better everyday and it is time to go out and execute that hustle and hard-work out on the field. Many of these players gained valuable game experience last year and we believe that there will be a carry-over effect this season. Our goal is to contend for the league title and to be playing on April 27th in the GNAC Finals," stated Coach Leighton.
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