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2009 Outlook
Knights Aspire for Commonwealth Playoff Berth in 2009
Etown & Messiah Tied for First in Commonwealth Poll
GLENSIDE, PA: 2/24/09 - Arcadia University Baseball enters the 2009 season tied with Albright College for fourth in the Commonwealth Conference pre season coaches poll, announced by the league office today. Arcadia, who received 16 votes, will enjoy the services of 2008 All- Freedom First Team selection John Curerri 'GR, who returns for his final season of eligibility. A top five hitter in his three seasons at Arcadia, Curreri led last year's squad in hits (57), doubles (10), stolen bases (16) and assists in the field (122) while batting in a team high 34 runs. Making the jump from the MAC Freedom to the MAC Commonwealth for the 2009 season and beyond, first year coach Brian Pugh will take the helm along with first year assistant coach Rob Itri and assistant coach Joe Lynn, who is returning for his 3rd year. Coach Itri, who played collegiate ball at Brigham Young University (98, 01-03), will searve as the hitting and infield coach. Coach Lynn will serve as the bench coach. The Knights are a young team, with ten freshmen looking to compete for playing time.
The Knights are coming off a 3rd place finish in the Freedom Conference last year, and are looking to rebound after a pair of tough playoff losses. In recent years the Knights have been strong competitors in the regular season, but have failed to bring home a conference championship since they captured the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference title in 2004. Coach Pugh is looking for the returning players to step-up and get over the hump, "The bar has been raised, and the returning players must produce," says Pugh, who is also looking for the returning players to set the tone for this season and seasons to come.
Elizabethtown and Messiah earned a two-way tie for first place in this year's poll. Widener finished in third while Lebanon Valley placed in the 6th and final slot.
Arcadia graduated 8 seniors last year, which opens the door for new faces to enter the line-up. Outfielders Matt Pempkowski '10 and Anthony Champi '09 look to get the ball rolling at the top of the order. Centerfielder Pempkowski, who will lead off and be the sparkplug to the team, possesses great foot speed and when he is on the base paths can create havoc for the opposing teams. Following Pempkowski, right fielder and co-captian Champi will get his spot as an everyday starter this year. He has worked hard since arriving at Arcadia and is ready for a solid senior year. Champi will look to move runners on the base paths and set the table for the rest of the order. The starting job in left field is a three man competition. James Richards '09, Joe Duetschmann '12 and David Kutteroff '12 provide Coach Pugh with several options. Richards and Kutteroff are right handed bats with power, while Duetschmann is a speedy left hander who can run down balls in the outfield. The heart of the line-up will feature graduate student John Curreri '08 and senior Dan Morris '09. Curreri will play shortstop and Morris will play 3B, making up the left side of the infield. Curreri is a run producer who drives the balls to all parts of the field. He possesses a lot of tools that have made him a cornerstone in Arcadia's lineup the past 3 years. Morris is back in the lineup after missing all of last year's season due to injury. Morris is a versatile player that can drive guys in, hit from gap to gap, and produce a lot of RBI's. Senior captain Tim Smith '09 will be the Knights' second basman. Smith provides the Knights with great leadership on and off the field and although in the recent years, Smith has battles injuries, he is healthy and ready to lead the Knights against a tough Commonwealth schedule. Joe Rafanelli '10 and Tim Wiand '12 will be competing for the spot at 1B. Both players are easy targets to throw to and will solidify the infield defensively. The '09 Knights feature several talented freshmen infielders including Matt Rottet, Mark Bowman, Mike McElhatton and Tim Ashenbrenner. Rottet and Ashenbrenner will provide power to the lineup and both Bowman and McElhatton are excellent defensively. All four newcomers have a bright future ahead of them.
Behind the plate, Arcadia has returning junior Jason Karlowski. Karlowski '10 is poised and ready to make an impact on the '09 season. Heating up the competition for the catcher position are Rich Schlamowitz '12 and Adam Planamento '12. Both freshmen are talented and hardworking. The younger players are competing for open spots to become everyday players. They will challenge the starters for their jobs and push them in practice. Coach Pugh said, "The freshmen are going to get their at-bats and a chance to show what they are made of and succeed."
Six pitchers graduated from the staff last year. The new look Knights look to pick up the slack this year. Steve Vassalotti '09 returns after taking a year off from baseball to pursue his career path. Vassalotti is picking up right where he left off and will be a key part of the pitching staff this year. Joining Vassalotti will be junior Zac Spece and freshman Steve Ramond. Spece has excellent control to go along with a good breaking ball and Ramond is a southpaw looking to prove himself during his freshman campaign. Junior Dan Manning could be the X-factor this year. Manning continues to develop and build his strength, has been fine tuning his pitches and looks to be a big contributor for the Knights this season. Schlamowitz '12 will also join the staff. Schlamowitz has a lot of potential and will only get better as he develops throughout his career. Injuries have sidelined both Mike Greely '09 and Jared Knable '10 for the first half of the season. Both players are undergoing rehab and hope to return to the field sometime this year. Providing depth to the bullpen will be two-way players Morris, Rottet, Kutteroff and Rafanelli. They will help the pitching staff by eating up innings and coming in the games to record crucial outs.
Arcadia will open Commonwealth play at home against Elizabethtown College on March 27th.
Champi, Smith Tabbed Captains for 2009 Season
GLENSIDE, PA: 1/14/09 - First year Arcadia University Baseball Coach Brian Pugh is please to announce the captains for the 2009 season of Arcadia Baseball. Seniors Tim Smith (#1/Northfield, NJ/Mainland) and Anthony Champi (#15/Laflin, PA/Pittston Area) were chosen by their teammates and coaches following the conclusion of the fall non-traditional season.
"Our players, both new and returning, have chosen two outstanding young men as the everyday leaders of this program," states Pugh. "Tim and Anthony posses all of the charactieristics of a leader both on and off the field. As we talked with each individual player, the task of making the decision became very easy for both myself and first year assistant coach Rob Itri. Their selection was nearly unanimous."
The Knights are coming off a 17-22-1 campaign in 2008 (10-8 MASCAC-Freedom) as they move to the Commonwealth side for 2009. Volunteer Coach Joe Lynn also returns to the team this season as do eleven players from last year's team, including First Team Freedom selection John Curreri (Clinton, NJ/North Hunterdon), who returns for his final season of eligibility as a graduate student.
Arcadia is set to begin the season on February 11 at Wesley College and open the 2009 season at Enry Field on Sunday, February 22 when the Knights host the College of Staten Island at 2:30 PM. The Knights season preview and pre-season coaches poll will be released in the near future.
