Baseball

Strong Nucleus Set to Lead Warriors Baseball in 2003

A strong and experienced starting pitching nucleus and five returning starters give the East Stroudsburg baseball squad high hopes of heading to the upper ranks of the Pennyslvania State Athletic Conference in 2003.

"The true strength of our team this year has to be our starting pitching. The group has the ability to hold the team in every game," explains head coach Roger Barren.

The pitchers will guide the team after compiling a 20-29-1 mark a year ago and tied for sixth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division. The Warriors will look to move up the ranks of the division where the team's best finish in recent years was in both 1998 and 2000 with third places. The pieces are in place this season to equal those finishes and better them with how wide open the race will be in 2003.

Senior hurlers Gordy Kocher and Jason Ryan are the leaders of the staff. Kocher possesses the best curveball on the staff and used it to fan 66 batters a year ago. He also posted his second five win season in a row and a career 3.83 earner run average. Ryan returns after missing last season with an injury. He has the best control on the staff and posted a 5-4 record including a no-hitter in 2001.

Adam Swavely and Ryan Amey complete the Warriors four experienced starters. Swavely struck out 59 last year with a quality slider while Amey recorded 54 strikeouts of his own.

"Our starters are very similar in their strengths with good fastballs and all can throw their off speed pitches for strikes. They are just a sound experienced group," adds Barren.

Ryan Pugliese returns to guide the bullpen after leading the team in appearances (16), saves (2) and earned run average (3.06).

Three newcomers will join Pugliese as relievers in Ryan Loose, Jay Grobelny and Nick D'Aulerio. Loose provides the team with a left handed arm with good velocity.

Grobelny has great ability an 85 miles-per-hour with a plus curve while D'Aulerio has the tools to be the team's closer.

Barren likes the high velocity of the relievers and feels the success of the pen will be its ability to consistently fire strikes.

Veteran backstop Jeff Dahl will again handle the pitching staff. He continues to improve and throw better as the starting catcher.

Freshman Chuck Scheibener, who will see time this season, has already made good strides in his progress as the other backstop.

"The catchers have shown the ability to throw out potential base stealers," points out Barren. "It is an area we need to improve this season."

Joe Sobeski, Ryan Hatfield and Jeremy Miller give the Warriors three solid starters and quality bats in the infield. Sobeski will man first base and is expected to have a dynamite season. He is now healthy and will be counted upon to again display his assets as a power hitter. The senior has hit in 64 runs and holds a .333 average in three seasons.

Kevin Rutan and Josh Johnson will back-up at first. Rutan batted .450 at West Milford, NJ High School and can drive the ball with power to the gap. Johnson will not only give depth at first but also hold the same spot for ESU at third.

Miller returns to handle third after a solid season hitting .357 with 56 hits and 15 doubles.

Hatfield, a four-year starter, handles second base. Solid defensively, the senior carries just as potent a bat with a three-year .331 average, 146 hits, 10 home runs and 78 RBI.

Juniors Jim Sohns and Daniel Gonzalez will take care of shortstop. Sohns is a strong armed transfer from Keystone College with all the tools to be great at the position. Gonzalez is a flexible athlete who can play both shortstop and second and continues to improve in all areas.

Blake Martin will roam centerfield for the second year while Nick Farkas and transfer Ryan Murphy look to replace the departed Bryan Yagel in right field. Martin is an extremely fast and great defensive outfielder. Farkas was the PSAC East "Rookie of the Year" in 2001 while Murphy from Northampton Community College has one of the team's most powerful bats.

Newcomer Matt Orner from Keystone College will start in left field. Orner batted over.400 with eight triples in 2002.

John Molyneux, a talented left handed stick, will battle for playing time in the outfield and see some action on the mound.

"We have a good chance to be right there in the league race. Staying healthy will be a big key for us but we will be better on both offense and defense. If we can get some breaks, there is no reason we can't make a run at the playoffs," said Barren.