BB: LL: Liberty League

[pavanyks]

Griffin and Valentine

should have good years for RPI like they did last year.   

Pitching wise they have Zongol and Opperman back, they are losing Driemiller and Titcomb who will be hard to replace.

[BoomerIL]

pavanyks.....

The infield should return as is with the exception of Infurna who graduated.  The need for someone at first will be filled with no problems.  With some of the non-starters from last season, these kids could get more field time since UR will be graduating Kahovec at short and Vanderstyne who was at second and DH's.  The outfield will still be strong with defense and speed.  The team defense was the best in the Liberty League last season.  They could improve on their averages and show some more power, which they are capable of, but only time will tell.

They have some good freshman and a transfer from Fordham that could be one of the everyday outfielders, or the DH.  He may be one of the starters, and won't know until the season is underway.  We'll know more once we're down in Florida.  Who ever is in the outfield, they have plenty of speed and defensive skills to hoefully keep their fielding percentages high.

The playing field is an odd shape to say the least, and the gaps are big.  I think they need to focus on 'on-base percentage' before anything.  The slugging percetanges will hopefully follow.

RPI is very tough, and Zongol can be very hard to hit if your not patient at the plate.  He is hitable if you can be patient!  Don't count out St. Lawrence or Skidmore who snuck into the tournament.

Why are they losing Dreimiller and Titcomb?

[VictoryLane]

Kahovec and Vanderstyne are the middle infielders correct?  There was another kid last year they played lots at 2b.  Stein.  Are they projected infielders?

Will Vanderstyne play outfield or 2b?  Seems like competition is up this year if Fordham kid may DH, and they have a few catchers who play 1b as well.

[VictoryLane]

Isn't Fordham transfer a CF?  I think i saw an intramural game in fall and he made a great catch in CF.

[BoomerIL]

I would assume that Kahovec and Vanderstyne are going to be the infielders at short and second with Blayne Fuke at third.  Stein did play some last season.  First base could see Brien or Sullivan, or whom ever.  Don't know.  Sullivan also catches.

The outfield was pretty solid last year with Bard, Cannon, and Kloc, so who knows what will happen this season.  Every player knows that they have to prove themselves all of the time, work hard or harder to maintain their position on the field and on the roster.  Nothing is taken for granted.  Just my opinion.

[VictoryLane]

Box score indicated Stein was started.  JJ mostly DH, but did play second base toward the end of the year.  Stein played in 30 games and looks like he stared most.

Overall statistics on team says they are power starved.  So fordham transfer should make a big impact.  I agree starters from last year will be pushed.

Coach Reina should be in his glory, he is building a great team with lots of competition.  Competition (if it is healthy) will make the team stronger.

I still like RPI to win it all, Rochester should contend.

[BoomerIL]

RPI always seems to be favored to win conference, they have good teams.  They can be beat with good hitting, provided the balls fall in for hits!!!!!!!!!  Zongol was hit hard last season by UR, unfortuantely to the players in the field.  A sign of some good pitching.  Nevertheless, with some luck, he can be beat and is a much underrated pitcher.  He doesn't get any consideration from anyone in the polls on the other topic on this site for the New York region.

Coach Reina knows he has a team that can win conference, the team just has to go and do it!!  The pieces are there, and your correct when you say they are power starved.  Anything over two home runs is an improvement, but like I mentioned in an earlier post, getting guys on base and moving them along on a consistent bases will definitely improve their run production, and should lead to more wins.  Timely hitting I really believe will be a big factor in getting those victories.

[NYBB]

My boy Pete McEaneny will kill this year and then get drafted in a late round out of UR.  Done.

[BoomerIL]

NYBB.....

Pete did great last season, and you know I'm certainly pulling for him to have even a better season this year.  Andy's really liked being on the team with him!  I really think these guys should have a better season than last year.  I've seen a lot of chemistry with these guys, this past season, and during this past fall time as well.  The Mrs. and me can't wait to get to Florida!!  Are you going down there?

[anonymous234]

your boy pete better improve on that 5-5 record then if he's going to get drafted.  I understand a lot of you have personal ties with Rochester, but you can't overlook Skidmore again.  They only lost 2 players, are actually fully healthy (their ace, SS, number 2 starter), and at times they had 7 freshmen starting last year.  Only going to improve on last season with their pitchers gaining a year and everyone else gaining a year.

[StarvinMarvin]

I enjoy seeing DIII players get the opportunity to play professionally, regardless of the program, but if Pete McEaneny is drafted I will match the typical $1,000 senior signing bonus given by the team that draft's him.  It ain't gonna happen.  Done.

[pavanyks]

SKIDMORE are champs until someone takes it i agree.

Personally I like RPI this year and then Clarkson.

SKidmore and Rochester should be in the running.

Despite Rochester's defensive prowess last year, i felt they needed to improve in power hitting and up the middle defense. 

Defense wins champions in the NFL and baseball. 

[anonymous234]

Clarkson must improve mightily from last year for you to put them over Skidmore, the defending champs, and Rochester, a tournament team.  I don't know how Clarkson is up there.  They had a decent offense, terrible defense, and average pitching.

[StarvinMarvin]

Anonymous......pavanyks is the same guy who stated that d3baseball.com's #1 ranked team (Cortland) is in rebuilding mode this year.   

[pavanyks]

you don't lose guys like dougher (who was drafted) and expect to replace them easily.   Yes i think they are retooling their pitching staff.  Assman is not dougher.