University of Massachusets Athletics
Baseball Starts Up This Weekend Versus UCF
March 09, 2007 | Baseball
March 9, 2007
AMHERST, Mass. - After two youthful seasons, UMass Baseball enters 2007 with a veteran squad ready for what looks to be a better year. Last year's team stumbled out of the gate and was never quite able to set its feet to recover, as the "UMass Nine" was marred by its inexperience with 11 freshmen on the roster. Head Coach Mike Stone, six games shy of win No. 500 at UMass, has attributed the struggle to the natural adjustment period for rookies.
However, the 2007 squad has reasons for optimism as Coach Stone has a strong nucleus of talent to rely upon, returning its top seven hitters and six starters from the field.
"Last season wasn't what we wanted it to be," said Stone. "We're still a young team and we've improved in a lot of areas. Our offense is improved and our defense is improved. I've told them since the start of our preseason that we're a veteran team and we expected to perform as a veteran team."
Catcher The catching position serves as the foundation for the Minutemen's strength up the middle of the diamond. Junior Captain Bryan Garrity will carry the load for Massachusetts and will be backed up by senior Frank McPherson, and freshmen Ben Kessel and Matt Lawlor.
Despite missing 10 games in 2006 due to an abdominal hernia injury, Garrity matched his .264 batting average from his freshman year, while slugging one home run, knocking in 24 runs and posting a .320 slugging percentage as a sophomore.
Stone will rely on Garrity and McPherson to impart their veteran experience onto Kessel and Lawlor to help both youngsters improve throughout the season.
Corner Infielders UMass will find most of its power in the lineup coming from its corner infielders in senior first baseman Bryan Adamski and junior third baseman Ryan Franczek.
At first base, the Minuteman have the versatile Adamski and junior Andy Tuetken. Stone sees both as an integral part of the team and believes that they benefit from having each other on the team.
"Both guys are equally as good and they push each other," Stone had to say of the pair.
Both can contribute offensively as well. Adamski was one of the leading power hitters for the 2006 edition of the Minutemen, slugging four home runs and 27 RBI. Those stats were tied for the team lead.
Franzcek will play opposite Adamski and Tuetken at third base, while filling in at second base as necessary. The Chicopee, Mass. native recorded the third-highest batting average on the team last year at .307. He also tied Adamski for the team lead in home runs (4), and RBI (27).
Coach Stone has also lauded early praise on Jim Macdonald, who will back up Franzcek and fill in when necessary.
"He's has looked and swung the bat well," Stone said.
The sophomore batted .221 with one home run and 16 RBI in 2006, and will give the Minutemen depth, filling in at third when duty calls.
Brian Baudinet, a freshman transfer from Rochester, will also help out at third base.
Middle Infield The middle infield was one of the bright spots for the UMass squad, and one of the strengths of the 2007 Minutemen will certainly be the double-play combination of senior shortstop Lou Proietti and sophomore second baseman Adam Tempesta. A newcomer to the 2006 squad, Proietti led the team with a .329 average and 16 steals.
"He's a senior so we're looking for him to have a good year this year," Stone said of Prioetti.
Right behind him was Tempesta with a .311 average in his rookie campaign. Tempesta, an All-Rookie team selection for the A-10, also tied his fellow middle infielder for the team lead in hits with 55. The second year starter is battling an injury so Stone expects to have a rotation of Ryan Franczek, Captain Travis Munsey and Cody Kauffman to occupy the position until Tempesta is fully healed.
Outfielders Seniors Bill Rankin and Munsey will patrol the outfield in center and left field, respectively, with three freshmen--Brian Baudinet, Mike Donato and Garrett Glashoff-- filling right field and providing depth. Also, Jim Cassidy, a transfer from South Florida, will back up Rankin.
Rankin, a great defensive centerfielder, will continue help the Minuteman lineup. Last season, he batted a career best .284, good enough for fifth on the team. Rankin has improved each season and is expecting an even better year in 2007.
"Bill Rankin is ready to go," said Stone. "He's committed himself to having a great year this year and he deserves to have one."
Munsey also is coming off a career year in 2006 when he hit .276 with 11 RBI. He will add veteran leadership to the outfield, helping the newcomers become acclimated to playing for the Minutemen.
Pitchers Coach Stone will have a wealth of arms to choose from when picking his rotation and forming the bullpen. The starting rotation will be headed by senior Chris Lloyd, who compiled a career best 6.21 ERA last season despite going 0-6. He'll look to continue his improvement this year while serving as the team's ace.
Following Lloyd is newcomer Jared Freni, who was a standout at Malden Catholic last season. Stone said of Freni, "He's a very good pitcher who has a lot of potential."
The number three starter will be either Jim Cassidy, who is struggling with arm problems, or Mike Dicato, depending on Cassidy's health. Filling out the rotation will be Tim Comiskey, Mitchell Eilenberg, Beau Hodges, and Ryan Walczak.
In the bullpen will be Aaron Smith and Adamski, two of the team's best pitchers last season. Smith recorded a 4.96 ERA with a 2-2 record, while Adamski, in addition to his first base duties, was the team's closer with five saves and a 3.60 ERA.
Overview Any good team is strong up the middle, which just happens to be the Minutemen's biggest strength. Garrity, Tempesta, Prioetti, and Rankin will provide both excellent defense and superb offense, as they are four of the team's leading hitters. Flanking the up-the-middle players are the other two top hitters, Franczek and Adamski.
Knowing that this may be his team's year, Stone has stacked an extremely tough schedule for the season. The team hits the ground running in Orlando against University of Central Florida this weekend and then will face off against Big Ten schools during their annual trip the IMG Academy in Bradenton. Following on the heels of the second Florida swing to Bradenton, the Minutemen will dive head first into the Atlantic 10 portion of the schedule at Temple.
