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

CONTACT: Dan Mullen,
Sports Information Dept.

DATE: Mon., March 12, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Baseball

Season preview

FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Coming off a fifth-place finish last season, the Blue Devils will look to earn an elusive post-season berth that hasn't been accomplished since 1990.

"We always focus on making the SUNYAC playoffs," head coach Matt Palisin said. "Our conference is one of the toughest in Division III, and earning a playoff berth would go a long way towards establishing Fredonia State as a top program in a competitive region."

To earn a berth, the Devils will need to finish in the top four of the eight-team SUNYAC field. The Devils will look to a veteran group of players to accomplish that task. They lost four seniors to graduation and return most of the starting lineup in tact. The Devils also hope to build on a strong finish.

"Last year, we played our best baseball during the second half of the season - that's something that should carry over. We can be competitive with any team we play. If we play our best game we're as good as anyone in the conference."

Last year the Devils struggled in Florida, going 3-8 on the trip. They started the season just 3-12.

"Getting off to a better start would be a key to the year. We also need to get more production from the bottom of our order, which we should get because the lineup is much improved from last year."

In addition, the Devils expect to progress with a pitching staff that features a mixture of veteran and new arms. Last season, the pitchers had a combined ERA of 5.29. With an additional year of experience and a productive fall season, they look to improve on that.

"The pitchers threw very well in the fall. If we lose this year it will be because other teams beat us, not because we beat ourselves. When our pitchers throw strikes, we are tough to beat. Players have worked hard in the off-season. We have good depth, no one has a position locked up, there is competition for every position."

Pitching

The pitching staff will have to overcome the loss of a couple veteran starting pitchers, Craig Heath and Shawn Ridgway.

"Craig was our No. 1 starter -- he opened up our conference weekends. We return five veteran pitchers and added a transfer, Eric Dietrick, to fill in his shoes. Also, Brandon Miller hasn't played in two years, but was our most consistent hitter and pitcher in 2004. Coming off shoulder surgery he could be a pleasant surprise."

The Blue Devils starting rotation is anchored by junior Noah Huard. Huard went 3-0, posting a 1.19 ERA in conference games last season. Overall, he posted a 3.63 ERA, leading the team in strikeouts with 33. Huard features a strong fastball coupled with a devastating slider and has the makeup of your classic power pitcher.

Senior Joe Webster was second on the team with a 3.94 ERA, striking out 25 batters in 29.2 innings. Webster features three pitches, including a sharp curveball and changeup.

Juniors Matt Bauman and Jeremy Hulbert are versatile pitchers who both have experience starting and coming out of the bullpen. Bauman struck out 24 batters while walking just five in 26.2 innings last year. The lefty tied for the team lead in wins with three and led the Devils in appearances with 11. Hulbert was 2-3 last year, posting a 6.75 ERA. The right-hander will look to regain his 2004 form when he led the team in appearances and posted a 3.82 ERA.

Sophomore Tom Hausler looks to improve on a successful freshman season as he posted a 4.78 ERA, earning six starts while tying Huard for the team-high with two complete games. A control pitcher, he can throw three different pitches for strikes to keep hitters off balance.

Junior transfer Eric Dietrick adds another strong arm to the mix. He was a member of the Erie Community College team that participated in the 2005 JUCO World Series.

Miller went 3-1 with two complete games and a 3.18 ERA in 2004. He struck out 29 batters in 22.2 innings.

Sophomore transfers Jeremy Borst and Ricky Carlson give the Devils a pair of left-handers. Both are control pitchers with a good assortment of off-speed pitches.

Infield

The Devils return the entire starting infield from a year ago. They lost backup second baseman and DH Shane Morrison to graduation. Morrison was the team's best base-runner and hit .328 last season. Backup first basemen and lefty bats Dave Ickowski and Matt Baudo will also be missed. Baudo hit .346 in 52 at-bats last season.

Senior Jim Kunkemoeller will again be the team's starting first baseman. Last year he batted .467, cracking nine doubles and two home runs. Named to the All-SUNYAC First Team, Kunkemoeller led the conference in hitting with a .537 (22 for 41) average in SUNYAC games. Kunkemoeller also led the team in slugging percentage at .667 and on-base percentage at .522 while driving in 16 runs. Junior Kevin Malaney can also play first base and is a solid bat off the bench.

Senior third baseman Mike Austin, a team captain, led the team with 18 RBIs last year, and is a very consistent line-drive hitter. Sophomore Dan Taurisani saw considerable action as a freshman playing the hot corner.

The Blue Devils should be strong defensively up the middle. Senior Bryan Recchia will start at second base. He is coming off an All-SUNYAC season, hitting .297 while tying for the team-lead in stolen bases with seven. Sophomore shortstop Sam Tuzzeo is a smooth defender and a patient hitter. Recchia and Tuzzeo should be a formidable defensive tandem, as both have proven to be adept with the glove and capable of turning a smooth double-play. Freshman Donny Kirsh, also a pitcher, flashed ample range and a good bat in the fall season and should compete for playing time. Slick-fielding junior Dan Mullen has logged plenty of experience at short and second in his first two seasons.

Catching

Junior catcher Dan Murphy hit .319 last year. A second team All-SUNYAC member, Murphy is a patient hitter who tied for the team lead with 12 walks. He was second on the team with a .419 on-base percentage. A strong defender, he committed just one error behind the plate. Freshman Rob Hermann expects to figure in the mix after a strong fall season when he displayed solid defense and a steady bat. Freshman Chris Jacobs provides depth and should develop as he gets more college experience.

Outfield

The entire outfield returns from last year and features a mix of veteran leadership and talent, with three fourth-year seniors and two sophomores coming off productive seasons.

Sophomore Jordan Basile won a starting position half way through last season and batted .372 in the leadoff slot.

Leftfielder Phil Gavin was named to the second team All-SUNYAC for a second straight season after batting .336 during his junior campaign. He also tied Kunkemoeller for the team lead in runs scored with 23 and led the team in hits with 39.

Rightfielder Kyle Adams hit nine doubles last year bringing his career total to 25, ranking fourth on the all-time Fredonia State list. He has provided pop in ther middle of the lineup and played steady defense. Sophomore Pete Lusk will see more action after batting .304 in 56 at-bats as a freshman. Senior Trey Johnson is the team's best defensive outfielder. The center fielder has a lot of range, a very strong arm and provides some pop at the plate.

Palisin believes the team is well balanced and should be carried by solid all-around play. If the team is going to make a run it will take strong play from every position, and Palisin believes this team has the players to do just that.

"We have good depth," he said. "I expect the freshman from last year to step up as sophomores and we have a good group of seniors. We should be defensively sound as well."

Overall, the Devils hope to see improvements from a familiar cast of players and a hungry group of veterans looking to make their first postseason appearance. Much of the group has played together for a couple years now and they hope that pays dividends on the playing field.

"Team chemistry is strong on this team, guys really respect each others talent. In a 40-game season, that's very important."

The Blue Devils kick off their season March 13 at LaRoche College (Pa.), before heading for the annual spring trip to Fort Myers, Fla., on March 16.

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