X

2011 Clarkson baseball preview

Posted 3/3/11

For the second straight season, the Clarkson University Baseball team ended up in the Liberty League Tournament’s championship round, but the Golden Knights couldn’t become the first team in six …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

2011 Clarkson baseball preview

Posted

For the second straight season, the Clarkson University Baseball team ended up in the Liberty League Tournament’s championship round, but the Golden Knights couldn’t become the first team in six years to repeat at conference title winner. Although the Green and Gold came up short in 2010, nearly the entire pitching staff and heart of the batting order returns this season with its site set on a return to the NCAA Tournament.

Guided by 11th-year head coach Jim Kane, assistant coach Tim Hughes, and volunteer assistant Zach Richardson, the Golden Knights return four conference all-stars and a slew of solid performers all over the diamond. Any conversation regarding Clarkson Baseball lately begins with junior utility player Jerry Coleman (Potsdam, NY). The outfielder/infielder/catcher/pitcher was recently named as the second-rated professional prospect in all of Division III by Baseball America, but while the publication and the numerous scouts that will likely flock to see him in Florida aren’t sure of where he could potentially play in pro ball, coach Kane will likely place the supremely athletic Coleman at shortstop. In a pinch, he can also catch, where he was a second-team Liberty League All-Star as a freshman, or in centerfield, where he was picked as a first-teamer in 2010. Coleman batted .359 and slugged six home runs as a sophomore, and the experience he gained in a collegiate summer league last June and July should only push those numbers upward.

While Coleman may be getting the attention of scouts, it is fellow infielder David Kinney (Mexico, NY) who got plenty of attention last year from rival pitchers and coaches. Kinney crushed Liberty League pitching to the tune of a .374 average with a .641 slugging percentage, tying the Clarkson single-season record for home runs with eight and adding in 11 doubles. The third baseman/first baseman was more than happy to get on base without ripping a line drive as well, daring pitchers to throw inside and winning the battle with 15 hit by pitches, ranking 34th in the country in that category.

Joining the dynamic hitting tandem as veterans in the infield are senior Justin McInerney (Grand Island, NY), junior Pete Clarke (Tully, NY), and sophomore Pete Lasecki (Stratford, CT). McInerney has a good arm at third base and his solid approach at the plate leads to line drives all over the diamond. Clarke has spent time at both middle infield positions and is capable of delivering a big hit when called upon. Lasecki had his time limited in 2010 as he became acquainted to the college game, but the sophomore had an impressive fall and will receive time at first base when Kinney is on the other side of the diamond or on the mound.

Several veterans return to patrol the outer expanse of grass in the outfield, including Liberty League All-Star Chris Falteisek (Baldwinsville, NY). The senior batted .333 with 16 RBIs and provided plenty of punch in the bottom half of the lineup. Classmate Garrett Russell (Lake George, NY), entering his third year with the program, has as much power as anyone on the Clarkson roster and possesses a strong arm in left. Likely centerfielder Scott Morrissey (Troy, NY) has good speed and rarely strikes out, and he should take a step forward in his second season. Infielder/outfielder Dan Padrazo (Setaucket, NY) saw action in 16 games in 2010 after a quiet freshman season, and was snake bit early on with some bad luck, but if he hits the ball with similar authority this year, he will find his name on the lineup card with more regularity.

Two transfers and several freshmen count as newcomers for the Knights in both the infield and outfield. The infield has plenty of talent in junior Ryan Barkley (Penn Yan, NY) and sophomore Kyle Schwarz (Saddle Brook, NJ) transferred from respected programs, and freshmen Adam Szklany (Windham, ME) and Jarrod Mattingly (Philadelphia, NY) could also see time right away in the middle of the diamond. In the outfield, David Wixted (Ballston Lake, NY) and Dan Lenney (Clifton Park, NY) have solid swings and plenty of upside potential for this year and in the coming seasons.  

For the fourth straight season, senior Sam Grainger (Bedford, MA) will be a brick wall as the Knights’ starting backstop. A quality leader with a cannon for an arm, Grainger has thrown out 37 runners and allowed just 15 passed balls in over 500 innings behind the plate for the Knights. Grainger has a pair of freshmen under his tutelage this season in Kyle Van Vleet (Latham, NY), who also plays third base, and Kolby Ziemendorf (Webster, NY). While the senior will get the majority of the time behind the plate, the duo could not have better teachers than assistant coach Tim Hughes, a former Division I catcher, and Grainger, one of the team’s captains.

While the offense will certainly be a vital part of the Golden Knights’ potential success, each Clarkson player knows that the team will only go as far as the pitching will take them. The Golden Knights had a solid weekend rotation in 2010 that placed in the top 50 in the country in earned run average and in the top 70 in WHIP (walks+hits/innings pitched). The Liberty League is a notorious pitchers’ conference (10 pitchers ranked in the top 90 in the country in earned run average in 2010), and Clarkson’s hurlers will need to keep pace, especially with a 24-game conference schedule. Senior David Goerold (Clifton Park, NY), the Knights’ ace in 2010 returns to try and repeat his performance from last season. The slender righty led the conference in complete games with seven and posted a 2.59 ERA in 63 innings, allowing only a .298 on-base percentage. Joining Goerold in the rotation is sophomore Bryan Chudy (Goshen, NY). The second-year righty has pushed his fastball to the upper 80s and has one of the finest pick off moves in the country as he eliminated nine runners in only 44 innings, easily leading the conference in that category. Senior lefthander Alex Giovannone (New Hartford, NY) continues to baffle hitters with his solid three-pitch mix and can dominate a game as well as any of Clarkson’s pitchers. The final spot in the weekend rotation is still up in the air as it was a split position in 2010. Senior Kyle Moldoff (Nassau, NY) took six turns as the starter last season, including a no-hitter against Oswego State in May, and could round out the four-man rotation. Classmate Vincent Baldwin (Catskill, NY), one of the harder throwers on the staff, could also fill the role, but is more likely to return to the bullpen thanks to his resilient arm.

Baldwin will be joined in the pen by David Kinney, who made just one appearance in 2010, but could become a valuable closer in tight situations as he pounds the strike zone with a strong fastball. Sophomore Anthony Farrell (Topsham, ME) made seven appearances, including six in relief, and should also see more action with his rubber arm. Classmate Brian Hoffarth (Penfield, NY) pitched in just one game last season, but it was a scoreless frame, and he looks to take on a larger part in the bullpen. Senior Justin McInerney could be in the mix as a starter and reliever, as he and Kinney will play vital roles as dual players.

As usual, the Knights brought in several arms to stock the bullpen and for spot starts along the way. Junior transfer Ryan June (Fabius, NY) has a funky left-handed arm action that will certainly have hitters shaking their heads on the way back to the dugout. Freshmen Pete Roma (Endicott, NY), Kyle Henchey (Rensselaer, NY), and Ben Smith (Tully, NY) are a trio of first-year pitchers that will vie for time on the Clarkson mound.