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

CONTACT: Jerry Reilly, Sports Information Director

DATE: Saturday, March 10, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Baseball

Season Preview

FREDONIA, N.Y. – The 2004 version of the Fredonia State baseball team will look much different than the squad that took the field in 2003. The Blue Devils graduated seven starters, including three All-SUNYAC selections that made up the middle of the order last season. With Matt Clark, Mario Muscarella, and Mark Taurisani gone from the middle of the lineup, the Devils will take a new approach this year and rely on pitching, defense and team speed to win games.

Despite the loss of nine seniors overall, the Devils do have a number of experienced players. Six seniors and five transfers will ease the transition for the eight freshman that dot the roster.

"We will have new faces at every position this year," said head coach Matt Palisin. "How they come together as the season goes on will determine our success. We recruited players that are willing to make sacrifices for the good of the team and are quality individuals." With only 10 home contests and 30 games away from the friendly confines of Ludwig Field, team chemistry will be important. "Our guys will spend a lot of time on the road together, and with all the new faces, it is important that the team comes together as it has. Losing our two-three-four hitters, we don't have the power in the middle of our order that we did a year ago. We will make up for that with much improved depth and team speed as well as play fundamentally sound baseball. We need to believe in the routine and execute the plays that we are capable of making."

First team all-conference selection Tim Lockhart is the only returning everyday player to this season's lineup. The Devils will count on veterans Bret McCabe, Jason Ricigliano, Rich Bartkowiak and Shane Morrison to step up after serving as role players a season ago. In addition, transfers Scott Herdzik, Donny Burch and Jared Ochs all have a great deal of experience under their belts.

Freshmen Kyle Adams, Bryan Recchia, Phil Gavin and Kevin Malaney had solid fall seasons and will figure into the team's plans early this season and will battle for playing time.

Team leader Adam Fusco proved last season that he could handle the pitching staff, splitting time with all-conference catcher Mark Taurisani down the stretch. He also batted .361. "Adam has a great rapport with our pitchers. The veterans are very comfortable throwing to him and he has gone out of his way to take our younger players under his wing," said Palisin.

2004 breakdown by position

Catcher: Fusco will be the workhorse behind the plate this season. A well-conditioned player, Fusco is a backstop that is deft at keeping even the toughest pitches in front of him. He also provides an experienced left-handed swing. Backing up Fusco will be the tandem of sophomore John Sellmeyer and Malaney. Sellmeyer benefited last season by working with Taurisani, which should provide valuable experience down the road. Malaney, an infielder in high school, is a young talent, who at 6'2" has a great deal of potential as he adjusts to the college game.

Infield: The Blue Devils will miss 6'6'' all-conference first baseman Matt Clark. His shoes will be filled by a mix of newcomers. Herdzik, a transfer from Gannon, will bat in the middle of the order and see time at first. Herdzik is also expected to be in the starting rotation and see time at shortstop. Dave Ickowski, a transfer from the University of Buffalo, provides a lefty bat and has the size and range to be a quality firstbaseman. He has also shown power potential at the plate. Matt Baudo will come off the bench and provide a left-handed bat.

At second, Recchia and Morrison, a sophomore, will both see time this spring. Recchia is an all-around fundamentally-sound player with a solid knowledge of the game. Morrison is one of the fastest players on the team and has emerged as one of the team's best base-stealers. Both handle the bat extremely well.

The tandem of juniors Ricigliano and Burch will battle for playing time at third base. Ricigliano had seen time at second base last year, and provides an experienced bat. Burch, a junior transfer from Alfred State, is a very good defensive player with a strong arm. He will also figure in the Blue Devils pitching rotation.

At shortstop, Herdzik will share time with Adams. Both will also log a number of innings on the mound. Herdzik is a player with good range and a strong arm. Offensively, he brings good pop to the plate, and will anchor the middle of the lineup. Adams is one of the hardest working players on the team and possesses speed and a strong arm. Offensively, he is a line drive hitter who will test opposing teams' catchers on the base paths.

Mike Austin will provide a spark off the bench and fill in at second and third. Austin has a line-drive swing and is an aggressive, fast baserunner. "Our infield play is much improved from last season," Palisin said. "We have a young group that has made the commitment to work at the little things on a daily basis, and that will pay off for us in the win column."

Outfield: The outfield will feature the veteran leadership of three seniors. Lockhart moves to the outfield after earning the all-conference nod at DH a year ago. He will again hit in the middle of the order this season. Defensive specialist Bartkowiak provides outstanding defense up the middle. McCabe, the team's opening day pitcher, earned a starting outfield spot near the end of last season. He has a strong arm and good range and will give the Blue Devils a veteran stick near the top of the order. Gavin with a bachelor of science degree in physical education/health. will see time in the outfield when Lockhart and McCabe take their turns on the mound. Austin will also figure in the mix. He has little outfield experience, but has the speed and athletic ability to work his way into the lineup. Trey Johnson provides a strong arm and great speed in the outfield, and may see at bats as the season moves along.

Pitching: McCabe returns to anchor this year's staff. He led the team in innings, complete games and starts last season. Transfers Burch and Herdzik will figure in the rotation after successful stops at Alfred State and Gannon University, respectively. Burch is a hard-thrower with a three-quarter delivery and a lot of movement on all his pitches. Herdzik has great command of his fastball and goes right after hitters. Knuckleballer Mike Munski has improved his command from a year ago and provides a contrast to the other starters.

Other returnees include David Tubbs, who has led the Blue Devils in appearances over the past three years. Hard-throwing sophomore Brandon Miller looks to follow up a successful freshman season, and is one of the hardest throwers on the staff. He features excellent control and a sharp breaking ball. Lockhart will spot-start and see a few innings of relief.

A talented group of freshman will be counted on in key situations. Johnson features a great fastball and will develop into a dominating pitcher as he gains experience. Noah Huard is a great athlete and is a prototypical sinker-slider pitcher. Both will challenge for their share of starts.

Freshman Joe Webster will come out of the pen. He throw three pitches with command to go along with a deceptive release point. Adams is a control pitcher that will battle for time in the rotation. He has great instincts and has developed a change-up to go along with a solid curve and fastball. Ickowski is the team's lone left-handed option, and will come out of the pen.

"We have a completely different look than last season," said Palisin. "Despite all the turnover, our players believe in each other and have worked very hard to make this season a success."

The Blue Devils open up the season in Front Royal, Virginia with a three game set versus Southern Virginia University. The following weekend, the team will head to spring training in Ft. Pierce, Fla. before opening SUNYAC play at New Paltz on March 26.

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