Baseball Team Ready to Play
According to Head Coach Randy Voorhees, his squad is more than ready. "It has been a rough winter and we're all looking to get out on the field."
Voorhees predicts a strong season for the Vikings. "I expect that
we will be a very competitive team," he said. He's got his sights
on a Region 19 title and a berth in this year's JUCO World Series.
"I think the strength of our team lies in our defense and in our team
speed. We should be able to catch the ball well and to apply pressure while
on offense," said Voorhees. "As always, our success will ultimately
depend on how well our pitchers perform. We don't have a classic number
one starter, but we do have significant depth."
The squad includes experienced sophomores Adam Rehl (centerfield), Tom Lagler (right field and pitcher), Joe Hernandez (shortstop), Chris Freihaut (first base), and pitchers Joe Farina, Mark Pienciak and Bo Burris. Talented freshmen include Michael Roman (third base), Trevor Tenaglia (third base, outfield, catcher), Gene Darling (second base) and Adam Shaffer (pitcher, infield). Two quality transfer students also add to the line-up: Ken Lup (catcher), from Cumberland County College, and Tom Meyer (pitcher), from Montclair State University.
According to Voorhees, the Vikings have good bench strength at catcher and infield, but less depth in the outfield. Versatile players Tenaglia and William Seiler may be asked to fill several positions as the season progresses. The Vikings will sorely miss three pitchers sitting out the season because of shoulder injuries: Josh Serfass, who would have been the Vikings' number one pitcher, Nestor Reyes and Mike James. Each hopes to return to play at Mercer next year.
Voorhees notes that Hernandez and Rehl are potential professional prospects, while Farina and Pienciak have already committed to continue their educations and baseball careers at The College of New Jersey.
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