By Ben Brown ’14
Photo courtesy of Athletic Communications
Lafayette baseball is ranked fifth in preseason polls, but Scott Kelleher ‘13 and the rest of the Leopard squad will do their best to dethrone defending champion Army this season. Their 2013 campaign will begin Saturday, when they travel to Davidson, North Carolina to face Georgetown.
2012 Season: 14-37-1, (7-13 Patriot League);
0-2 in Double Elimination PL Tournament (Both losses against No. 1 Army, eventual PL Champions over No. 2 Holy Cross.)
Key Players:
2B Kevin Casey ‘13
CF Andrew Santomauro ‘14
P Alex Farina ‘15
What’s changed: Gone is closer Jeff Snell ‘12, who amassed 18 saves over his Lafayette career. All-Academic PL honoree and pitcher Chris Boyce ‘12 graduated after striking out 39 in 32.2 innings of work last season. Pitcher Mike Massa ‘13 looks to return from Tommy John surgery. On the offensive side, Lafayette will be without outfielder Bobby Fargnoli ‘12, who smacked ten doubles and drove in 27 last season. Parker Hills ‘15 will take over the starting catching duties.
What’s the same: Second-Team All- Patriot League second baseman Casey highlights the returns. The outfield boasts last year’s starters from left to right: Andrew Ruck ‘13, leadoff hitter Santomauro, and Thomas Dunleavy ‘13 are returning. Head Coach Joe Kinney expects seniors such as third baseman Scott Kelleher, Ruck, and Dunleavy to return to form.
“If our seniors can do the things that we anticipate that they’ll do, we’ll be competitive for a postseason berth,” Kinney said.
Strengths: A mix of youth and experience. In spite of 22 of 35 players being underclassmen, Lafayette boasts seven returning )starters.The pitching staff is led by Farina and southpaw Toby Schwartz ‘15, both of whom posted ERAsunder 4.00 last season.
Weaknesses: Power and extra-base hit ability from the offense. Last season, the team posted just a .307 slugging percentage.
“We’re not always having a traditional, prototype four-hitter; a clear home run hitter. I’m not sure I have that going into the season based on previous performance.”
What to Watch For: See how the bullpen takes shape without Snell at the backend.
“Jeff [Snell] was kind of the security blanket,” reliever Cory Spera ‘15 said. “Us younger guys need to step up and really work off each other. We don’t have the one stud to fall back on.”
Patriot League Contenders: Army (Defending PL Champions), Holy Cross (Led by PL Preseason Player of the Year Mike Ahmed ‘14, the Crusaders boast six of the 12 spots on the Preseason All-PL Team), and Bucknell (Has reached the PL Tournament in four of last five seasons.)
Key games:
March 27 vs. University of Pennsylvania (Liberty Bell Classic)
April 6-7 vs. Holy Cross
April 13-14 vs. Army
April 27-28 @ Bucknell
The Last Word: “Ideally you keep your head above water as you head into league playand you make your bread when league play starts. Our goal is now is to get in it and advance and ultimately win the Patriot League tournament.”—Head Coach Joe Kinney