Trailblazer baseball eager to begin Mike Gladu era this Friday in RussMatt Invitational

2016 Video Preview with Coach Gladu

2016 Schedule

2016 Roster

North Adams, MA- With the mild winter in Berkshire County, it's no surprise that the MCLA Baseball team is ready to go.  The Trailblazers, along with new head coach Mike Gladu, will open their 2016 season this Friday in the RussMatt invitational in Winter Haven, Fl. when they challenge SUNY Poly in a doubleheader. 

The Trailblazers return their top three starters from a year ago, but will have to replace the majority of the lineup.  MCLA went 11-18 a year ago, which included a 3-11 MASCAC record. The Trailblazers were selected to finish 8th in the MASCAC preseason poll.  Here's the outlook for the 2016 Trailblazers ahead of the opener:

Off the mound-

MCLA sported a respectable 4.71 ERA in 2015 and return many key arms that should make them formidable in conference play.  Returning starters for the Trailblazers include seniors Robert Jutras and Todd Hunt, along with sophomore Liam Nolan.  Jutras and Hunt combined to start 14 games last season with Hunt sporting a 3-1 record and a 4.27 ERA.  Jutras logged 36.1 innings, which was third best a season ago.  

Nolan transferred into MCLA last spring and was a welcomed addition.  The hard throwing right hander went 2-3 with a pair of saves, but led the Trailblazers with a 2.17 ERA.  He closed out the season in style by earning a complete game win over MASCAC champion Massachusetts Maritime.  Rounding out the rotation could be a question mark for Coach Gladu as first year Brendan Kelly looks poised to grab a spot.

The bullpen could be another asset for Gladu as he returns top relievers Eamonn Andre and Nate Alibozek.  Andre set a school record by appearing in 18 games last season.  The submarine righty also had a 3.22 ERA and walked just 3 batters in his 22+ innings.  Alibozek appeared in 9 games out of the bullpen and earned a pair of victories for MCLA.  Another control guy, Alibozek issued just 6 free passes and had a 3.92 ERA for the season.

Other Trailblazers looking to make an impact out of the pen include transfer left hander Frank Rickus.  Andrew Lavelle, who is also a member of the basketball program, could also see some opportunities.  

Around the infield-

MCLA graduated 3/4 of the infield as well as their starting catcher from a year ago.  While some new faces will populate the diamond, the Trailblazers do welcome back senior shortstop Ryan Shook.  The rangy veteran will look to provide solid defense up the middle while providing a spark on offense.  Shook hit a respectable .286 last season including a pair of doubles.

Competing for starting slots in the infield will be sophomore Andrew Casteel (3B), senior Nate Gutmann (2B), transfer Joe DiMassimo (2B/Utl), sophomore Brett Labonte, and freshmen Brenden Wincek and Matt Tobin.  Casteel showed flashes of offensive talent last season in a limited role, while Gutmann was an opening day starter before injuring himself.  DiMassimo, Labonte, Wincek, and Liam Nolan will all be competing for starting jobs in the infield.  Tobin has the ability to play multiple positions in the infield which should make him an asset.

Behind the plate, MCLA will turn to a pair of young backstops in sophomore Nick DiSanti and first year player Antonio Archina.  DiSanti saw limited action a year ago, but is a dependable backstop who has improved defensively.  Archina is an athletic freshman who has shown an ability to hit during the fall and spring practice seasons.  Both should see ample time behind the plate.

Around the outfield-

The Traiblazers return a pair of veterans in Alibozek and Myles Candelet to the outfield. Alibozek had 66 at bats last season and hit .227.  The left handed hitter should be a mainstay in the lineup and patrol centerfield.  Candelet is a speedy outfielder who can play left or center.  He saw action in 18 games last year while earning 49 at bats.  The junior had a pair of doubles and swiped a couple bags in 2015.

Competing for the starting nod in right field are a host of players including Slayter Aubin, Billy Pulasky, and Ben Harvish.  Aubin is a senior left handed hitter who drove in 5 runs last season.  Pulasky is a sophomore who appeared in 16 games last season.  He may also see some time in the infield.  Harvish saw limited opportunities last season, but returns as a senior.

2016 Schedule-

Beginning in March, MCLA will welcome the Gladu era as the new head coach will lead the troops to central Florida for the RussMatt Invitational.  The opening nine game swing in the sunshine state begins with the annual doubleheader against SUNY Poly (3/11), who is coached by MCLA alum Kevin Edick.  Following the opener, the Trailblazers will take on FDU-Florham (3/11).  A doubleheader with Becker (3/14) is next followed by a nine inning affair with Dickinson (3/16) and another doubleheader with Colby-Sawyer (3/17).  The annual trip concludes with a matchup against Utica (NY) on March 18th.

Upon returning North, the Trailblazers will open with road tilts at Lasell (3/22) and a doubleheader on the turf at Eastern Nazarene (3/26).  MCLA is scheduled for its home opener on March 31st with local rival Southern Vermont before turning their attention to league play.

The MASCAC schedule kicks off with MCLA traveling to defending champion Salem State on April 2.  After a home non league doubleheader with Norwich the following day (4/3), MCLA will travel to Union and New England College on the 5th and 7th respectively. 

MCLA will then play thirteen of their next 15 games at home beginning with a seven game homestand slated from April 9-16th as the Trailblazers will welcome MASCAC foes Framingham State (4/9) and Fitchburg State (4/16), sandwiched in between a twinbill with Anna Maria (4/10) and Skidmore (4/12).

After a road trip to Cape Cod to battle Mass. Maritime on Patriots Day, the Trailblazers return home to host Elms (4/21) followed by a MASCAC DH against Bridgewater State (4/23).  MCLA will take on Springfield College on the 25th and host rival Westfield State (4/26) the following day.  A doubleheader at Worcester State on April 30th will wrap up the conference slate while a non league tilt with Williams on May 3rd ends the regular season.

The MASCAC playoffs are slated to open on Thursday, May 5th.