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"We are extremely excited and optimistic about the upcoming season. The players have been working exceptionally hard to put this team in a position to have a very successful 2007 campaign," Kime said.
The Mounties return four starters from last years 11-22 squad, including senior outfielder Steve Paskowski (Indiana, PA). Paskowski hit .322 with 11 RBI's last season, and may see some time at first base this year. Also, returning in the outfield, will be sophomore Dan Clark (Windber, PA), who led the team in 2006 with a .373 batting average (10th in the conference). Clark primarily batted in the leadoff spot, and was the only returning Mountie to receive Honorable Mention All-Conference honors last year.
Senior Jayson Gilliam (Cleveland, OH), who batted .300 in 16 games, and sophomore transfer John Bonetesta (La Roche College/Northern Cambria, PA) are also expected to see time in the Mounties outfield.
In the infield, returning shortstop junior Trevor Anderson (Jennerstown, PA) will be making the move to third base in 2007. Anderson was the Mounties leading hitter in '05 at .327. Last season, he batted .211 and had a .301 on base percentage.
Junior Ryan Brandon (Johnstown, PA) will again assume the second base position. He had a .275 batting averaging and recorded only 3 errors last year.
Joining Brandon and Anderson in the infield will be senior shortstop Matt Duval (Mechanicsburg, PA), a transfer from Division II Angelo State in Texas, and junior Scott Petak (Johnstown, PA). Petak, who batted .267 in 18 games, will play first base.
Junior Josh McGinnis (Sidman, PA) returns after taking a year off behind the plate. McGinnis will also be playing first base when he is not catching.
Several other players are expected to make an appearance in the Mounties infield lineup. Sophomore Bobby Reed (Saxton, PA) should see time at second base, after playing in 10 games last year. Chuck Farris (New Castle, PA), a senior transfer from Indian River CC, Florida, will see action at third. Sophomore Matt Hershey (Altoona, PA) who played in 9 games with a .375 batting average, and freshman Justin Inch (Mount Union, PA) will each vie for time at the catcher position. Sophomore Cory Kegris (Steelton, PA), a transfer from Florida Golf Coast Community College, will contend for innings as a first baseman, and will also be used in the utility role.
The pitching staff returns two starters from 2006, including senior Ryan Clouse (Martinsburg, PA), 51 strikeouts (8th in conference) in 56 innings pitched, and junior Durrell Hutzel-Ellis (Johnstown, PA), 27 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched. Hutzell-Ellis had a 2-1 record last season.
Also, on the staff is senior Nick Friling (Tyrone, PA), who will see time as a spot starter, in mid-relief, and in some closing situations. Junior Corey Leech (Johnstown, PA) and sophomore Zac Pyle (Somerset, PA) are also probable starters/mid-relief pitchers. Pyle could additionally see time in the infield, and Leech could see some time behind the plate.
Sophomore Chad Mattis (Windber, PA) will hold onto the closer role, along with making some mid-relief appearances. Freshman Fred Zigler (Pittsburgh, PA) will be used in relief and will also take his athleticism to the outfield. Southpaw freshmen Dustin Neff (Westover, PA) and Brendon Betts (Huntington, PA) will pitch in the middle relief role, as will freshman Gary L'Abbe (Middleton, MA). L'Abbe should also provide depth to the Mounties infield.
