University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Baseball 1969 Season Preview
March 23, 1969 | Baseball
The Redmen will be led into the 1969 season by two All New England players, shortstop and co-captain, Joe DiSarcina, and outfielder, Bob Hansen.
Joe played brilliantly the past two years and has hit .339 and .303. He has the arm, range, speed and hitting ability to have a great future in baseball. Joe, along with first baseman Ray Ellerbrook, formed a great backcourt duo in basketball during the past two winters.
Bob Hansen was everyone's All District One choice in 1968. As a sophomore he hit .381 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs in 21 games. Bob led the country in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage (.798). The big lefty really attacks the ball and his hitting ability is considered the best in this area.
Co-captain Tony Chinappi, an excellent defensive catcher, is also regarded as a "tough out." Tony hit .347 last year with two home runs. Junior Chuck Newell adds depth to the catching department.
The pitching staff is the key to the team's success. Lost from last year's team are John Canty, Rich Rappoli and Dave Katz. John Kitchen (5-2), George Andersen (1-0), and reliever Norm Elliott are the returning veterans. Kitchen has lots of potential, possessing the size and arm to be an outstanding college pitcher. Up from the freshmen are three bright prospects, Don Anderson, Lou Colabello, and Jack Bernardo. Colabello is the only lefty on the staff. The Redmen coaches feel the group could develop into a strong, well-balanced staff.
Ellerbrook is an exceptionally-quick first baseman and is an outstanding fielder. Ray hit .275 and stole 10 bases. Steve Stanford played third base most of last year and new-comer Warren Mason showed well in Fall baseball to warrant a chance at second. Also expected to be in contention for infield positions are football quarterback Mike Marchev and Chuck Espanet, who hit .304 playing parttime last year, along with several other candidates.
Leading outfield members, along with Hansen, will be Dick Pepin, an ex-Marine who can hit with power, Mitch Salnick, up from the freshmen, and transfer Steve Ring.
The 1969 schedule is again the most difficult in the history of UMass baseball. In addition to the top-flight competition on the Southern trip and in the all-important Yankee Conference, other opponents include Holy Cross, Dartmouth, Boston College, Springfield, American International, Williams, Amherst, Tufts, Boston U. and Army. In spite of this challenging schedule, the outlook is optimistic and the Redmen are again pointing to the Conference title and a berth in the NCAA District One Tournament.
About the Archives
This is a digitized version of a press release from the University of Massachusetts archives, before the start of online publication. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, UMass does not alter, edit or update them. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other items. Please send reports of such problems to the appropriate sport contact in the UMass Athletic Communications office.
Joe played brilliantly the past two years and has hit .339 and .303. He has the arm, range, speed and hitting ability to have a great future in baseball. Joe, along with first baseman Ray Ellerbrook, formed a great backcourt duo in basketball during the past two winters.
Bob Hansen was everyone's All District One choice in 1968. As a sophomore he hit .381 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs in 21 games. Bob led the country in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage (.798). The big lefty really attacks the ball and his hitting ability is considered the best in this area.
Co-captain Tony Chinappi, an excellent defensive catcher, is also regarded as a "tough out." Tony hit .347 last year with two home runs. Junior Chuck Newell adds depth to the catching department.
The pitching staff is the key to the team's success. Lost from last year's team are John Canty, Rich Rappoli and Dave Katz. John Kitchen (5-2), George Andersen (1-0), and reliever Norm Elliott are the returning veterans. Kitchen has lots of potential, possessing the size and arm to be an outstanding college pitcher. Up from the freshmen are three bright prospects, Don Anderson, Lou Colabello, and Jack Bernardo. Colabello is the only lefty on the staff. The Redmen coaches feel the group could develop into a strong, well-balanced staff.
Ellerbrook is an exceptionally-quick first baseman and is an outstanding fielder. Ray hit .275 and stole 10 bases. Steve Stanford played third base most of last year and new-comer Warren Mason showed well in Fall baseball to warrant a chance at second. Also expected to be in contention for infield positions are football quarterback Mike Marchev and Chuck Espanet, who hit .304 playing parttime last year, along with several other candidates.
Leading outfield members, along with Hansen, will be Dick Pepin, an ex-Marine who can hit with power, Mitch Salnick, up from the freshmen, and transfer Steve Ring.
The 1969 schedule is again the most difficult in the history of UMass baseball. In addition to the top-flight competition on the Southern trip and in the all-important Yankee Conference, other opponents include Holy Cross, Dartmouth, Boston College, Springfield, American International, Williams, Amherst, Tufts, Boston U. and Army. In spite of this challenging schedule, the outlook is optimistic and the Redmen are again pointing to the Conference title and a berth in the NCAA District One Tournament.
About the Archives
This is a digitized version of a press release from the University of Massachusetts archives, before the start of online publication. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, UMass does not alter, edit or update them. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other items. Please send reports of such problems to the appropriate sport contact in the UMass Athletic Communications office.
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