Sports Information Department – 112 Dods Hall
Phone (716) 673-3100 / Fax (716) 673-3136

CONTACT: Matt Palisin,
Sports Information Dept.

DATE: Fri., Feb. 29, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Baseball Preview

Devils look to be the SUNYAC hammer

FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Heading into the 2008 campaign, the Devils return all conference selections at each infield spot, including two at catcher. The Devils also had their top recruiting class in recent memory. The team hopes this combination of experience and new blood will continue a trend of ascending in the SUNYAC standings.

Offensively the Devils posted some stellar numbers in ’07. The Devils ranked second to eventual conference champion Cortland in batting average (.315), slugging percentage (.425), and runs (98, 7.0 per game) in SUNYAC-only games. Eleven times the team scored nine or more runs in a game – including topping the 20-run plateau twice.

In addition, the Devils played one of the toughest schedules in the country playing 19 games against schools that either won their conference or recently participated in the NCAA Tournament.

This year’s group is ready for the challenges that the season brings. A look at the 2008 edition:

INFIELD

The catching tandem of Rob Herrmann (2007 All SUNYAC) and Dan Murphy (2006 All SUNYAC) provide solid bats and defensive play. Herrmann was one of the top power hitters this fall. He has continued to improve after an impressive freshman season.

Murphy is the left-handed part of the duo. He has posted a career average of over .300 in his first three seasons, as well as being named a team captain for the second consecutive season. He also showed improvement in his power this fall.

Returning at first base will be Jim Kunkemoeller. ‘Kunk’ has a .370 career average, including a school record .467 in 2006. That same year, he led the SUNYAC with a .512 average in conference play.

He will combine with Kevin Malaney to fill the DH/first base role. Malaney was one of the top bats in the SUNYAC last season, batting .390 and ripping 15 extra base hits. Malaney batted .460 in SUNYAC-only games, ranking fifth in the conference. He led the league in hits, runs, and triples and finished among the leaders in homeruns, RBI, and total bases.

A pair of juniors anchor the left side of the infield. Dan Taurisani continued to show a strong bat this fall after batting .333 a year ago. John Hamilton is known for his defense and strong arm, but did post a .312 average out of the nine-hole in ’07. Both were named all SUNYAC.

Second base will be manned by freshman Jarrod Surine. Surine had a stellar fall with the bat and the glove. He has also shown great leadership and work ethic.

Senior Brandon Miller provides a depth and a power bat. Miller has compiled a .404 career average, but has been slowed by injuries.

A strong group of newcomers will also push for time while preparing for the future. Joe Kephart – who received a medical redshirt in ’07 -- provides a left-handed bat off the bench. Sophomore transfer Josh Greco provides a solid glove in the middle, and can fill in at catcher. Greco has shown a good, short stroke and the ability to adjust quickly. Freshman catcher Mark Majka was all catholic as a junior at St. Francis H.S. He is coming off a hand injury that limited his time as a senior.

Freshman Tommy Dee led the team in stolen bases and played errorless ball this fall and can impact the game in many ways. Andy Dlugosz and Taylor Gahagen will take over the first base duties next year, but both could see plenty of time this year. Dlugosz, who will also pitch, showed tremendous power in the fall. At 6’2’’, Gahagen plays a nifty first base and knows the game well.

“We feel that we are much stronger all the way around with our infield play this year,” said Palisin. “We have six infielders that have been all SUNYAC at some point in their careers. They are a hungry group, and will push each other all season long.”

OUTFIELD

The outfield lost three starters from a year ago. However, the Devils still return a great deal of experience. Junior Jordan Basile was the team’s DH and has posted a .354 average as the leadoff hitter in his first two seasons. He has also seen plenty of action in centerfield, and will move full time into that role.

He will be flanked by junior Pete Lusk and sophomore Donny Kirsch. Lusk has shown tremendous power and a consistent stroke. He was the team’s top hitter in Florida last year and had a great fall at the plate. He has appeared in 50 games in his first two seasons.

Kirsch’s bat will find its way into the lineup via right field. A converted shortstop, he is one of the team’s most improved players.

Sophomore transfer Bryan Bongiovanni and junior Jeremy Borst provide depth and a pair of left-handed bats. Bongiovanni comes from a winning background, having won the New York State Championship while at Fredonia High School. Borst was a pitcher-only last season, but after a strong fall with the glove and the bat, will battle his way into the lineup.

“Losing your entire starting outfield can be tough,” said Palisin “However, we do feel we that we should continue to get the same production this season, though. Lusk and Basile are a pair of experienced juniors that are impact players and have seen plenty of time the past two seasons. Donny is one of the best all-around athletes on the team in addition to being a hard-nosed individual. I’m excited to see what this group can do.”

PITCHING

The Devils return a veteran corps on the mound. Seniors Matt Bauman, Jeremy Hulbert and Miller are the team’s senior hurlers.

Bauman has been a workhorse out of the pen, leading the team in appearances over the past three seasons. During that span, he has compiled seven wins, including victories in all three career starts. He continued to throw well this fall. He has also gained experience in quality summer leagues. In 2006, he was named an all star for the Orlando Hammers of the Florida Collegiate League. He named an all star again this past summer, this time with the Weyburn Beavers of Saskatchewan, Canada. Hulbert had a strong fall, winning game three of the Blue-White Series with a 2-1 nine-inning victory. He has been used as a starter and reliever since his freshman year, and provides depth in both roles.

As with his hitting, Miller hopes to bounce back to form. He saw limited action last season, but wrapped up his sophomore season with one-hit and two-hit complete game victories. He posted a 4-1 record in 52 innings prior to shoulder surgery. Junior lefty Ricky Carlson topped the team with a 3.30 ERA last year and led the team in appearances with 12. He made two starts, including a complete game shutout and got stronger as the season moved on. He finished second in the SUNYAC with a 1.17 ERA in seven appearances.

Junior Tom Hausler will anchor the staff. Hausler has been in the starting rotation since his freshman year, and was elected as a team captain this season. He has consistently thrown well since opening his career with a shutout in his first start as a Blue Devil.

Sophomore Justin Nowak will return to the bullpen. He did make a couple of late season starts last year, and is expected to step up this season.

Newcomer Matt Saeva will battle for a spot in the rotation. Saeva transferred from Erie Community College where he was team captain and participated in the 2006 JUCO World Series. He can throw in the mid-80’s and has the ability and physical makeup to go deep into games.

Dlugosz, a two way player, was very consistent this fall and will be used a lot, whether in a starting role or out of the pen. A gritty competitor, everything he throws has movement.

A pair of 6’3’’ freshmen, Eric Vohwinkel and Alan Schoeneck, round out the staff. Vohwinkel, a righty, throws everything around the plate and has a great deal of movement. Schoeneck tosses from the left side, and throws a lot of strikes.

“Our staff has better depth this year, and we will pound the strike zone as a team,” said Palisin. “We lost a pair of quality seniors from last year in Noah Huard and Joe Webster, but we brought in four pitchers that are capable of being top-notch starting pitchers at this level.”

OUTLOOK

“Talent-wise,” said Palisin, “we have continued to get better every season. Looking at this year’s roster, we return players that have had significant success at this level in every position.”

The Devils know they can control their own destiny in 2008. Last season saw the team let a ninth-inning lead slip away at Oneonta in a 13-12 loss. A win would have jumped them two spots in the standings put the team in the SUNYAC Tournament.

“Letting one inning slip away still burns in our memory,” said Palisin. “Two more outs, and our entire season changes.”

“We feel top to bottom – pitching, hitting and defense – that we are a better team this year. We have a hard-nosed group and the talent to go with it. We’re looking forward to getting back on the field and taking care of business this season.”

The Devils open up with a trip to Pittsburgh, Pa. to play Waynesburg on Saturday March 15 and a double-dip at St. Vincent on March 16, before heading to Ft. Myers on March 19.

The Devils open up SUNYAC play at Oswego on Sat., March 29.

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