New look Trailblazers set to begin 2010 season
After graduating nine seniors off of a 20-15 squad a year ago, the MCLA Baseball team will look to many new faces trying to improve upon their 3rd place MASCAC finish of a year ago.
North Adams, MA- The MCLA baseball team will be sporting a new look in 2010 as their annual spring trip is just around the corner. Only 14 returning lettermen return from last year's 20-15 squad which finished third in the MASCAC, good enough to qualify for postseason play. The Trailblazers will hope to continue their winning ways with the addition of 12 newcomers this season.
Last year, MCLA was a senior laden bunch with plenty of experience. This season will be the polar opposite as they have some key players returning, with many talented players ready to assume their roles. Leading the returnees is senior captain Ken Recore (Averill Park, NY). Recore served as a captain as a junior and responded with his best season to date. He batted .337 while providing rock solid defense behind the plate. Joining Recore is 2009 All MASCAC selection junior Paul Procopio (Pittsfield, MA). Procopio led the regulars with a .365 average while he was tied for the team lead in home runs, and second in RBI's.
The Trailblazers also return three players who batted over .300 in 2009. Junior shortstop John Ripepi (Amsterdam, NY) stole 20 bases last year, while providing some clutch performances at the plate. Fellow junior Joe Parillo (West Springfield, MA) provided some pop in the middle of the order, hitting .359 with a pair of homers. Rounding out the returners is sophomore Rick Massey (Cheshire, MA). Massey took over centerfield duties by midseason by batting at a .318 clip while stealing 10 bases.
Other returners looking to make a name for themselves in 2010 will be senior Tim Burns (Pittsfield, MA), junior Bobby Beauchesne (Lowell, MA), sophomores Brenden Wyand (Pittsfield, MA), Evan Frank (Schenectady, NY), Mike Meaney (North Adams, MA) and Vince Bordino (New Paltz, NY).
The Trailblazers will look to a pair of Junior College transfers to add some stability to the offense. Juniors Eddie George (Falls Church, VA/Kingsborough CC) and Osiris Mendez (Richmond Hill, NY/Fulton Montgomery CC) should provide added speed and power in the lineup.
On the mound is where MCLA will see the most transition. Gone is All MASCAC performer Andrew Gaines, as well as two year starter Cyrus Curtis. The Trailblazers will turn to veteran James Greeley (Auburndale, MA). Greeley has been a mainstay in the rotation since his arrival to MCLA. He will be counted on to provide innings, and more importantly leadership to a young staff. Another senior, Andrew Kelly (Dalton, MA) should be one of the top pitchers out of the bullpen. He has appeared in 13+ games each of the last two seasons.
Joining Greeley in the rotation should be Ulster CC transfer, junior Sean Hermance (Elizaville, NY). Hermance had two productive seasons at Ulster and should be in the hunt for a conference slot. Sophomore Daniel Gaines (Holyoke, MA) will look to continue his progression after a solid freshmen season in which he won a pair of games in six starts.
Rounding out the staff should be sophomore two way players Brenden Wyand and Rick Massey, along with freshmen Josh Gould (Adams, MA). Junior Pat Geary (Pittsfield, MA) and freshmen Nick Mancini (Valley Stream, NY) and Dom Kalinowsky (Pittsfield, MA) should provide innings out of the pen.
MCLA begins play in the RussMatt invitational March 12-18th in Winter Haven, Fl. They will play nine games on the Southern trip. The northern schedule kicks off March 23rd when they travel to Southern Vermont. The home opener is the following day against WNEC. Conference play begins on April 2nd when MCLA hosts Framingham State.