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Baseball Opens 2015 Season at South Alabama on Friday
2/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Under the guidance of first-year head coach Grant Achilles, the Brown University baseball team kicks off the 2015 season on Friday, February 27 when the Bears open a four-game series at South Alabama at 7:30 p.m.
The Bears welcome back 21 letterwinners from last year's squad and also add eight talented rookies to the lineup this season. After coming on strong during the second half of league play last season, the Bears will look to put it all together in 2015 and challenge a tough Ivy League slate for a title this spring.
"We have a lot of guys coming back who played a significant role last year," said Achilles. "If we can continue to build each day at practice and every game, I see this team as a contender for an Ivy League Championship. That will always be our goal. Our goal is to play in May."
PITCHERS
Despite a season-ending injury to sophomore Christian Taugner, the Bears will have no shortage of capable arms this season, starting with Dave St. Lawrence at the top of the weekend rotation. The senior started eight games as a member of the rotation last season. He also paced the club with five complete games, highlighted by a 1-0 complete game shutout over Harvard.
Fellow senior Eddie Fitzpatrick is set to join the rotation after missing all of last year due to injury, while rookie Reid Anderson has carved out a starting spot and has the potential to make a immediate impact this spring. The Texas native is coming off an impressive senior season at Aledo High School, where he went 12-1 with a 0.72 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 70 innings en route to First Team All-District honors.
Juniors Kevin Guthrie and Austin French, along with sophomore Max Ritchie, will all be in the mix for the final weekend slot after the trio made strides as reliable options out of the bullpen last season.
"On the mound, we have a lot of innings returning and a number of young guys who will play important roles for us this spring," said Achilles. "Also our bullpen shows more depth than we've had in the past."
Seniors Taylor Wright and Chris Smith will continue to anchor the bullpen this season. Wright paced the Bears with 13 appearances in 2014 and has shown the ability to come in and provide shutdown relief, while Smith had 11 stints as a versatile option in key situations. Freshman Dante Bosnic, who put together an outstanding senior campaign in high school and continued his development into the fall and early spring, will offer consistency in a long relief role.
Senior Will Marcal will play a significant role on the mound this year in addition to offering a potent bat in the middle of the lineup. Returnees Samuel Hauser, Jake Spezial and Nathan Mann will bolster the bullpen, while rookie lefties Morgan Gray and Grant Greeno will also provide solid relief.
CATCHERS
After spending some time behind Wes Van Boom last season, sophomore Joshua Huntley will look to step into a leadership role behind the plate for the Bears. Huntley had a pair of home runs, five doubles and 15 RBIs in limited action as a rookie in 2014.
Freshman Mark Sluys will see more time at catcher as the season progresses after a successful career at Gig Harbor High School.
OUTFIELDERS
Marcal will return to right field and the middle of the lineup this season. The former All-Ivy selection came on strong during league play in 2014 and heads into his senor campaign with 131 career hits.
Sophomore Robert Henry gained valuable experience as the primary centerfielder as a rookie. He started all 37 games in center with exceptional defense and provides stability at the top of the lineup.
Junior Jake Levine and rookie Sam Grigo will battle for the starting role in left field, while Cam Wilkie can step in to a variety of outfield positions.
INFIELDERS
"Our infield is as experienced as any infield in the Ivy League, with some quality newcomers to contribute as well," said Achilles.
Dan Kerr will be back as the primary first baseman and gives the Bears power in the middle of the order, while Noah Shulman and Tim McKeithan take over at second base and shortstop, respectively. Marc Sredojevic returns to third base after a promising rookie campaign, when he started 35 games and provided a patient yet powerful bat with the potential for timely hits.
Senior Nick Fornaca will also compete for time at third base, while rookie shortstop Brian Ginsberg provides versatility at every position and a solid bat in the lineup. Guthrie will also see time at designated hitter and first base, and freshman Jimmy Grossman will compete for playing time in the infield.
After Brown opens up at South Alabama, the Bears return to New England the following weekend when they play Northeastern and Central Connecticut State in New Britain, Conn. Brown will play its first home game on Tuesday, March 31 when they play host to intrastate rival Bryant at 3 p.m.
