Mercy College Baseball Touts Deep Pitching and Strong Lineup Heading into 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Mercy College Baseball Touts Deep Pitching and Strong Lineup
Heading into 2009
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Matt Anzivino |
DOBBS FERRY, NY - Whether the wind is blowing in or out from the Hudson River, the Mercy College baseball team will be throwing a solid starting pitcher at opponents in 2009. With an improved defense and a stronger lineup, the Mavericks will look to compete for a spot in the East Coast Conference (ECC) baseball playoffs.
Sophomore co-captain Stephen Marsar (Seaford, NY) is one of several starting pitchers that will look to go deep into games. Last season Marsar led the Mavericks in wins and tied for the team lead in starts with nine. Senior co-captain Matt Anzivino (Miami, FL) and junior Steve Merslich (Flushing, NY) bolster the rotation, while senior Matt Moreno (Harrison, NY) will also start after serving as the team's closer last year.
Newcomers to the program, freshman Billy Dring (Mahopac, NY) and junior Kenny Tyson (Miami, FL), will also have an impact on conference play immediately. Dring's best pitches are his fastball and slider, while Tyson as a lefty will count on his intelligence and command to get batters out.
"Any one of these guys can be our number one pitcher. They all have tremendous up-side and whoever is pitching that day will be our number one," Head coach Bill Sullivan said. "Matt needs to be in the rotation for us this year. His presence there will really help the club."
Sophomore Matt Walsh (Staten Island, NY) and freshman Charles Dehart (Staten Island, NY) will share closing duties for the Mavericks. Freshmen Walter Kowalczyk (Valhalla, NY) and Raymond Thaisz (Staten Island, NY) will be the primary set-up pitchers and will find themselves in some tight spots.
"Walt and Ray will be counted on to get out of jams and put an end to opponent rallies," Sullivan said.
Junior Frank DeRosa (West Harrison, NY) and sophomore Keith Kreig (City Island, NY) will be Sullivan's long men out of the pen, while sophomore Karl Ackerman (Montgomery, NY) will add even more depth to the staff.
Tyson and Walsh will also serve as two of the top hitters for the Blue & White. Last season Walsh was named to the ECC All-Conference Second Team and hit .297. He led the team in runs scored with 23 and stole 18 bases in 21 attempts.
"Walsh is arguably one of the best pound-for-pound athletes in the conference. He can run, he can hit, he has some pop and can pitch effectively for us too," Sullivan said.
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Chris Pannullo |
Walsh will play the outfield with sophomore Graig Lauricella (North Massapequa, NY), junior Vincent Tesoriero (Glen Head, NY) and senior Chris Pannullo (Dix Hills, NY). All will be in the line up on a regular basis, with the odd man out likely serving as the designated hitter. Freshman Mike Gianzero (Highland Mills, NY) will also help out in the outfield and can pitch.
"Regardless of what combination we go with, we have one of the better defensive outfields in the conference," Sullivan said.
Tyson will platoon with junior Michael Grassano (Valley Stream, NY) at first base. Both athletes can provide some punch for the Mavericks' line up and have the potential to be consistent run producers.
Sophomore Michael Ferrante (Long Beach, NY) will see time all over the infield at second, third and shortstop. Taking most of the starts at shortstop will be junior Justin Muscarella (Plainedge, NY), while Dehart will play the hot corner and senior captain Ken Mundy (Valley Steam, NY) will play second base. Junior Julio Torres (Harlingen, TX) will also see time in the infield.
Junior Marc Dern (Valley Stream, NY) will handle the catching duties with senior Luis Bido (Bronx, NY) competing for time behind the dish.
The Mavericks will get their 2009 season started in Myrtle Beach, SC with games against Bloomfield, Felician, Briarcliffe and West Chester from February 27 - March 1. The Blue & White will open up at home on March 9 against St. Thomas Aquinas at 3 p.m., beginning a 24-game ECC slate.
The Mavericks will also make their annual Florida trip from March 21 - 24, where they will take on the likes of Southeastern, Mt. Vernon Nazarene, Tennessee Temple, and Barry. Other non-conference opponents that highlight this year's schedule include UMass-Lowell, Southern Connecticut State, Nyack, and Post University.
Mercy College will be looking to take the next step for the program with an ECC Tournament bid which begins May 6. The top six teams in the regular season standings will advance to the playoffs with an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on the line.
