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WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – After a long, cold winter, the Hartford baseball team is primed and ready to get back on the field and start playing. They will get a tough test right off the bat when they open their schedule on Friday on the other side of the continent against Oregon State. The Beavers are the 2006 and 2007 national champions, and are receiving votes in this week's USA Today/ESPN Top 25 coaches' baseball poll. The Hawks open with a single game against Oregon State on Friday, followed by a doubleheader Saturday and the series finale on Sunday.
The Hawks' 2011 roster is a mixture of new and familiar faces, with 11 freshmen set to suit up for their first collegiate games, and seven seniors preparing for their final season in the scarlet and white.
“We're a relatively young club,” head coach Jeff Calcaterra remarked. “We're going to have a blend of older experienced guys and a lot of younger players that will make a big impact for us this year.”
Just getting on the field will be a step in the right direction for Hartford, which has had to battle the elements since returning to campus on January 19. With the harsh winter weather in Connecticut, the Hawks spent much of their individual conditioning drills and opening weeks of practice indoors. In mid-February, Hartford was finally able to get outside and practice on the turf of Al-Marzook Field, adjacent to Fiondella Field.
“We've been able to get some double duty work in these past couple weeks,” explained Calcaterra. “That brought a little more energy and spark to the guys. Plus, it's different being outdoors. You fatigue a little different breathing in the air. We've been able to do some hitting and pitching indoors and do some groundball and fly ball work outdoors, so it's been good.”
One of the most experienced areas of the team for the Hawks is the outfield, anchored by senior center fielder Rodger Wilmot. Also expected to see time in the outfield is senior Andy Drexel, who split time between left field and catcher last season and should do the same in 2011. Drexel, who is just four doubles shy of setting a new University of Hartford career record, finished tied for second in the America East last season with 12 home runs.
Joining Wilmot and Drexel in the outfield will be Chris Suchy, a sophomore who missed last season with an arm injury. Freshman Ryan Lukach will see time in the outfield as well, although he will also be fighting for a spot on the mound with the Hawks. Brendan Behm and Mark Sorbara are two left-handed hitting freshmen who will also fill a role in the outfield this season.
In the infield, the Hawks will welcome back junior Simon Kudernatsch, who was off to a blistering fast start in 2010 before a broken hand sidelined him for all but the first nine games of the year. Kudernatsch, who was named the America East Player of the Week during the Hawks' opening week last season, will be the team's primary shortstop. His keystone partner will rotate during the course of the season. Senior Jason Freethey, described by Calcaterra as the team's “über utility guy,” will be joined by sophomore Erik Figueredo and freshman Brian Estevez at second base.
Seniors Mike Aldrich and Matt Walker will both see time at first base this season, with one – likely Aldrich – expected to spend a substantial amount of time as a designated hitter. Freshman Alex Gouin, who will also see time on the mound, is a power hitter who will spell Aldrich and Walker at first.
At third, junior Victor Santana will ultimately be the team's starter. Calcaterra described Santana as “the team's most consistent hitter” in 2010 who has “a swing reminiscent of Tony Gwynn.” A rotator injury may limit him to designated hitter duties during the early days of the season, so freshman Brian Hunter will likely be the Hawks' opening day third baseman. Hunter, who was recruited as a catcher, is a very versatile player who could also serve a role as a closer due to his strong arm.
Behind the dish, Drexel will be joined by freshman James Alfonso, a strong fundamental catcher who has developed a good relationship with the pitching staff. Junior Alex Bulger can back the duo up, although he has spent the offseason transitioning from his catching role to a spot in the Hawks' pitching staff. Freshman Dylan Hardy will also back up the Hawks' catchers.
Hartford's pitching staff will be led by sophomore Anthony Mannuccia and junior Mike Thatcher. The Hawks' most experienced starters coming back, Mannuccia and Thatcher are expected to start Games One and Two against Oregon State this weekend.
The Hawks' young pitching staff does features one senior, Vincent Fiore, who will fight for a spot in the starting rotation. Beyond that, Hartford's staff is very young, with Hunter Englehart, Tyler Corsi, Kevin Veilleux, Brian Rice, and Gouin all expected to fight for starting spots. Zach Ferris, Myles Kelly, Andrew Mannello, Charlie Moran and Lukach are slated to start the season in the bullpen.
“Everything that we do here at Hartford is to try and win the America East title and move on to regional play,” Calcaterra summarized. “We are going to have a very tough test right out of the gate [in Oregon State]. I think that is all in preparation for our kids to get ready to play in the conference tournament. If we learn how to pitch against that lineup and make adjustments against their pitching staff, that will benefit us in the long run.”
The 2011 season gets underway for Hartford on Friday evening, with first pitch from Corvallis scheduled at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time. The Hawks and Beavers will play a doubleheader on Saturday, with games scheduled for 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The series will conclude on Sunday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
