The 2013 Blue Devils are extremely excited for the upcoming
season and the optimism is through the roof. With a squad consisting of eight
seniors, experience and leadership is what looks to be the key to success this
season from the veterans. I spoke to senior captain Ian Gallagher and he said “
Our team seems like we are more prepared than ever before and as a tightly knit
group, our depth in the lineup and pitching staff is what will help us put
together a successful season”.
While only losing one starter to graduation from last
season, the batting lineup is very similar to last year except that everyone is
a year better. Dan Greco was the leadoff man last season but junior transfer
Bobby Frantz looks to replace that role on opening day. Reigning All-SUNYAC
selection senior captain Dillon Lowe stated: “ The additions to our coaching
staff has made us more prepared and fine tuned for the season. With more
coaches, every position is getting more work and getting better in every aspect
of the game”.
Every day before practice is a motivational quote written in
the locker room. There was one that kept being repeated and seems to have
mirrored our work ethics thus far. “Win the SUNYAC Championship today”. That
was our goal since day one and we are one day away from starting the voyage
towards our goal. After speaking with Dan Fetes, he believes “As a team, we
feel like we have put in the work to be a top team in the conference. It is our
time and our chance to leave a mark on the program. Talk is cheap and we’re
ready to back our play up between the lines this season”.
The pitchers have been working harder than ever this year
with head coach Matt Palisin and assistant coach Matt Bowman. Coach Palisin
believes that the pitchers are already better than they were last year up to
this point. The pitchers are confident of the work they put in and can rely on
a lot of depth to go into the late innings. Junior pitcher Steve Sturm said “
This team has a different feel than the teams of the previous two year’s I have
been here. Hopefully we can translate this chemistry and hard work into
wins”. Sean Larson who is also a junior
pitcher stated “If we play our game like we know how to, we can be virtually
unstoppable”.
Expectations are high this season and the overall goal is a
SUNYAC Championship. The team believes in themselves and others and will rely
on each other to push through the season to achieve the ultimate goal. The Blue
Devils open up their season on 3/8/13 after a seven hour bus ride to Long
Island to take on SUNY Purchase.
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