Lehigh University Athletics
2015 Lehigh Baseball Season Preview
2/17/2015 10:15:00 AM | Baseball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Looking to build upon a 2014 season that saw a Patriot League Championship appearance, the Lehigh baseball team returns an experienced group of upperclassmen and welcomes a talented bunch of newcomers for the 2015 campaign as the Mountain Hawks aim to make a run at the program's second league crown. Lehigh begins the 2015 season Friday, Feb. 20 at Davidson and the Mountain Hawks will make their debut on the newly renovated Goodman Campus Baseball Field on March 18.
Head Coach Sean Leary, in his 20th season at the helm, returns four of last season's five All-League selections. The Mountain Hawks enter the season with the Preseason Patriot League Player of the Year in senior outfielder Justin Pacchioli and fellow preseason All-League member junior Mike Garzillo.
The Mountain Hawks return their entire infield from last year's campaign. Senior Connor Faust will hold down first base after hitting .258 in league play a season ago en route to being named second team All-Patriot League. Sophomore Patrick Donnelly will handle the other corner of the infield. The third baseman put together a strong rookie campaign, finishing the season with a .269 batting average, 13 RBI, 18 runs scored and seven stolen bases. He hit 6-for-11 in the Patriot League Semifinals at Army to help the Mountain Hawks to the league championship series.
A powerful middle infield will be comprised of Garzillo at second base and senior John Elson at shortstop. A 2014 first team All-Patriot League honoree, Garzillo led the Mountain Hawks in hits (56), extra-base hits (15), RBI (33), slugging percentage (.407) and walks (20) last season. Elson, a 2013 second team All-League member, ranked second on the team in runs scored (29), RBI (25) and stolen bases (11) during 2014 and recorded 12 multiple hit games and seven multiple RBI games throughout the season while hitting .286 in Patriot League play.
Senior Tim McKay will handle the duties behind the plate as a returning second team All-League member. McKay finished the 2014 season finished the season with a .280 batting average, the fourth best on the team. He caught 17 runners stealing and led Lehigh with eight sacrifice bunts. Sophomore John Scarr will also see action behind the plate and provide a strong left-handed hitting option for the offense.
"Returning the entire infield from last year's successful team is a huge luxury for us," said Leary. "I'm confident that the group will continue to lead by example."
The outfield will be anchored by Pacchioli in centerfield. The two-time All-League performer and preseason Patriot League Player of the Year has led the Patriot League in batting average in each of the past two years and was recently named the 53rd best senior in college baseball by Perfect Game. The leadoff hitter finished last year's campaign with a .362 batting average, including a .386 mark in Patriot League play. The Easton, Pa. native led the team with 16 stolen bases and a .445 on base percentage.
Junior Anthony Rinaldi will take over in leftfield, while sophomore Jacen Nalesnik holds down rightfield. Rinaldi missed most of last season with an injury. Nalesnik had a strong rookie campaign, starting in 29 contests and posting 13 RBI while hitting .255 for the season.
The Mountain Hawks have plenty of options to fill the designated hitter spot including sophomores Connor Donovan and David Young, senior Patrick Walshe, freshman James Bleming and junior Mackey Price. Leary and the coaching staff feel that their offensive and positional depth is a major strength of the team.
"We're looking at 14 or 15 guys who will provide us with really good depth," explained Leary. "There's a strong nucleus of guys fighting for the DH spot, and a lot of guys pushing the people in front of them to get even better."
Many Mountain Hawks will be taking on new roles on the mound this season following the departure of four graduated pitchers from last year's campaign who combined to throw nearly 200 innings en route to Lehigh's lowest team ERA in 35 years.
"There's some things left to be defined on the pitching side, but I've been really excited about the fact that guys are competing against themselves, as opposed to competing against each other, and making sure that they get better every day," said Leary. "I'm excited that they've raised the bar for their own expectations and not just to earn a role, but to earn a role that equals what we did last year with the experienced rotation that we had. This group has that mindset of always analyzing how they can become better and how they can improve."
Junior Kevin Long will head the starting rotation for the Mountain Hawks. The righty had a strong sophomore season as a key weekend piece during last year's campaign, finishing the season with four wins, two saves and a 3.21 ERA.
Senior Nick Stephens will slot into the No. 2 role in the rotation after wrapping up his junior season with two wins and 37 strikeouts in 46 innings thrown. Stephens is an experienced weekend starter who has gotten the starting nod in 23 games over his career.
Senior J.R. Edwards, sophomore Matt Kozemchak and Donovan are also in the mix to start. Edwards made three appearances last season after missing most of the year due to an injury. The righty threw 5.2 innings without allowing a single earned run. Kozemchak tallied a 2.53 ERA during his rookie campaign, the second best on the team, after tossing a total of 21.1 innings and accumulating a 2-0 record. The southpaw got the start in the deciding game of the Patriot League Semifinal series at Army. Donovan saw limited time on the mound last season, but recorded six strikeouts in eight innings pitched and a 3.38 ERA.
The Mountain Hawks also have many options for relief work. Seniors Nick Macaione and Jordan Smith, along with juniors Kevin Boswick and Brandon Kulp are expected to be key late-inning hurlers. Young is also expected to see some time on the mound.
"A lot of the guys we project to be relievers have easily had their best winter and early springs since they've been here," said Leary. "They're healthy and sharp and we anticipate that they will make contributions with their experience and we can put them into key late inning roles. There's a nucleus of six or seven guys competing to start and then there's a core group of veterans who have good experience and will relieve."
The Mountain Hawks will also have two freshmen who had strong fall and winter performances in the mix for positions on the mound in Peter Moore and Michael Schwab. Moore, a 6'2 southpaw, accumulated a 2.33 ERA and 14 wins over three years at the varsity level for Warwick Valley High School. Also a lefty, Schwab threw two no-hitters during his senior season at Pittston Area High School en route to being named an All-Conference selection. Leary says the freshmen class is deep and he expects many more rookies to make contributions throughout the season.
"We're going to be shuffling people in and out of different roles throughout the first few weeks of the season," said Leary. "It's not because we don't know who can help us, but because we want to find the role they can help us the most in and there's multiple options where each person could fit. The competition within the group of pitchers has been very fun to watch and there's a lot of opportunity for guys to define their roles over the first few weeks."
In addition to depth and versatility, Leary feels that the team's leadership will be a major strength this season. Elson, Faust, Stephens and Garzillo were named captains in the fall, but Leary is also impressed with the leadership of all of the upperclassmen.
"There are leaders in practice, leaders in the gym and leaders on game day," explained Leary. "Since it's not cut and dry and perfectly defined, it's a big plus to have a bunch of guys step up to lead in different areas. We tell them to not worry about the title so much because we know on game day that the veteran players will have their teammates ready.
"The captains have done an outstanding job, but the other upperclassmen have emerged and understand that they're now looked up to by the younger guys and it's their responsibility to lead their specific groups because they've earned those roles," Leary continued. "The difference between winning 2-1 games and 3-2 games in league play isn't always who's the more talented team, it has a lot to do with who can be there for each other and battle through those fluky things that'll happen during a four-game series."
The Mountain Hawks know that in order to accomplish and build upon last year's success it will be important to not lose focus and continue improving and growing.
"We don't want to forget how hard we worked and the attention to detail that got us to where we were last year," said Leary. "At times, a team can get there and lose sight of how much the finer details played a role. The team is working hard every day and it's a really fun group to coach. Our focus is on getting better every day."
Lehigh kicks off the 2015 campaign Friday at Davidson. The Mountain Hawks make their home debut on March 18 and open Patriot League play on March 28 against Army at the newly renovated and improved Goodman Campus Baseball Field.
Like Lehigh baseball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates and content.
Head Coach Sean Leary, in his 20th season at the helm, returns four of last season's five All-League selections. The Mountain Hawks enter the season with the Preseason Patriot League Player of the Year in senior outfielder Justin Pacchioli and fellow preseason All-League member junior Mike Garzillo.
The Mountain Hawks return their entire infield from last year's campaign. Senior Connor Faust will hold down first base after hitting .258 in league play a season ago en route to being named second team All-Patriot League. Sophomore Patrick Donnelly will handle the other corner of the infield. The third baseman put together a strong rookie campaign, finishing the season with a .269 batting average, 13 RBI, 18 runs scored and seven stolen bases. He hit 6-for-11 in the Patriot League Semifinals at Army to help the Mountain Hawks to the league championship series.
A powerful middle infield will be comprised of Garzillo at second base and senior John Elson at shortstop. A 2014 first team All-Patriot League honoree, Garzillo led the Mountain Hawks in hits (56), extra-base hits (15), RBI (33), slugging percentage (.407) and walks (20) last season. Elson, a 2013 second team All-League member, ranked second on the team in runs scored (29), RBI (25) and stolen bases (11) during 2014 and recorded 12 multiple hit games and seven multiple RBI games throughout the season while hitting .286 in Patriot League play.
Senior Tim McKay will handle the duties behind the plate as a returning second team All-League member. McKay finished the 2014 season finished the season with a .280 batting average, the fourth best on the team. He caught 17 runners stealing and led Lehigh with eight sacrifice bunts. Sophomore John Scarr will also see action behind the plate and provide a strong left-handed hitting option for the offense.
"Returning the entire infield from last year's successful team is a huge luxury for us," said Leary. "I'm confident that the group will continue to lead by example."
The outfield will be anchored by Pacchioli in centerfield. The two-time All-League performer and preseason Patriot League Player of the Year has led the Patriot League in batting average in each of the past two years and was recently named the 53rd best senior in college baseball by Perfect Game. The leadoff hitter finished last year's campaign with a .362 batting average, including a .386 mark in Patriot League play. The Easton, Pa. native led the team with 16 stolen bases and a .445 on base percentage.
Junior Anthony Rinaldi will take over in leftfield, while sophomore Jacen Nalesnik holds down rightfield. Rinaldi missed most of last season with an injury. Nalesnik had a strong rookie campaign, starting in 29 contests and posting 13 RBI while hitting .255 for the season.
The Mountain Hawks have plenty of options to fill the designated hitter spot including sophomores Connor Donovan and David Young, senior Patrick Walshe, freshman James Bleming and junior Mackey Price. Leary and the coaching staff feel that their offensive and positional depth is a major strength of the team.
"We're looking at 14 or 15 guys who will provide us with really good depth," explained Leary. "There's a strong nucleus of guys fighting for the DH spot, and a lot of guys pushing the people in front of them to get even better."
Many Mountain Hawks will be taking on new roles on the mound this season following the departure of four graduated pitchers from last year's campaign who combined to throw nearly 200 innings en route to Lehigh's lowest team ERA in 35 years.
"There's some things left to be defined on the pitching side, but I've been really excited about the fact that guys are competing against themselves, as opposed to competing against each other, and making sure that they get better every day," said Leary. "I'm excited that they've raised the bar for their own expectations and not just to earn a role, but to earn a role that equals what we did last year with the experienced rotation that we had. This group has that mindset of always analyzing how they can become better and how they can improve."
Junior Kevin Long will head the starting rotation for the Mountain Hawks. The righty had a strong sophomore season as a key weekend piece during last year's campaign, finishing the season with four wins, two saves and a 3.21 ERA.
Senior Nick Stephens will slot into the No. 2 role in the rotation after wrapping up his junior season with two wins and 37 strikeouts in 46 innings thrown. Stephens is an experienced weekend starter who has gotten the starting nod in 23 games over his career.
Senior J.R. Edwards, sophomore Matt Kozemchak and Donovan are also in the mix to start. Edwards made three appearances last season after missing most of the year due to an injury. The righty threw 5.2 innings without allowing a single earned run. Kozemchak tallied a 2.53 ERA during his rookie campaign, the second best on the team, after tossing a total of 21.1 innings and accumulating a 2-0 record. The southpaw got the start in the deciding game of the Patriot League Semifinal series at Army. Donovan saw limited time on the mound last season, but recorded six strikeouts in eight innings pitched and a 3.38 ERA.
The Mountain Hawks also have many options for relief work. Seniors Nick Macaione and Jordan Smith, along with juniors Kevin Boswick and Brandon Kulp are expected to be key late-inning hurlers. Young is also expected to see some time on the mound.
"A lot of the guys we project to be relievers have easily had their best winter and early springs since they've been here," said Leary. "They're healthy and sharp and we anticipate that they will make contributions with their experience and we can put them into key late inning roles. There's a nucleus of six or seven guys competing to start and then there's a core group of veterans who have good experience and will relieve."
The Mountain Hawks will also have two freshmen who had strong fall and winter performances in the mix for positions on the mound in Peter Moore and Michael Schwab. Moore, a 6'2 southpaw, accumulated a 2.33 ERA and 14 wins over three years at the varsity level for Warwick Valley High School. Also a lefty, Schwab threw two no-hitters during his senior season at Pittston Area High School en route to being named an All-Conference selection. Leary says the freshmen class is deep and he expects many more rookies to make contributions throughout the season.
"We're going to be shuffling people in and out of different roles throughout the first few weeks of the season," said Leary. "It's not because we don't know who can help us, but because we want to find the role they can help us the most in and there's multiple options where each person could fit. The competition within the group of pitchers has been very fun to watch and there's a lot of opportunity for guys to define their roles over the first few weeks."
In addition to depth and versatility, Leary feels that the team's leadership will be a major strength this season. Elson, Faust, Stephens and Garzillo were named captains in the fall, but Leary is also impressed with the leadership of all of the upperclassmen.
"There are leaders in practice, leaders in the gym and leaders on game day," explained Leary. "Since it's not cut and dry and perfectly defined, it's a big plus to have a bunch of guys step up to lead in different areas. We tell them to not worry about the title so much because we know on game day that the veteran players will have their teammates ready.
"The captains have done an outstanding job, but the other upperclassmen have emerged and understand that they're now looked up to by the younger guys and it's their responsibility to lead their specific groups because they've earned those roles," Leary continued. "The difference between winning 2-1 games and 3-2 games in league play isn't always who's the more talented team, it has a lot to do with who can be there for each other and battle through those fluky things that'll happen during a four-game series."
The Mountain Hawks know that in order to accomplish and build upon last year's success it will be important to not lose focus and continue improving and growing.
"We don't want to forget how hard we worked and the attention to detail that got us to where we were last year," said Leary. "At times, a team can get there and lose sight of how much the finer details played a role. The team is working hard every day and it's a really fun group to coach. Our focus is on getting better every day."
Lehigh kicks off the 2015 campaign Friday at Davidson. The Mountain Hawks make their home debut on March 18 and open Patriot League play on March 28 against Army at the newly renovated and improved Goodman Campus Baseball Field.
Like Lehigh baseball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive updates and content.
Players Mentioned
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3B
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1B/P
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RHP
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SS
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1B
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2B
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LHP
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RHP
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RHP
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LHP
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C/UT
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LHP
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OF
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OF
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SS
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OF
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C
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LHP
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RHP
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RHP
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OF/IF
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P/IF
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