Despite the fact that their season opener was postponed, the Hopkins baseball team does not plan on losing any momentum as they open their season on Tuesday, March 4 at home against Messiah. When people think about what 2008 means for the team, many things come to mind. Experience, depth, a mission, high expectations. Payback. This year's roster is one of the deepest that Hopkins has had in almost 30 years, and head coach Bob Babb has a lot to look forward to in the upcoming weeks. Last year, Hopkins was just one game shy of a trip to the College World Series, and that is what is in their scopes for the upcoming season.
Captain and senior shortstop Jonas Fester doesn't think that the Jays lost any momentum with the original opener being cancelled. "Our work ethic has been better than I have ever seen it," he said. "Our team has the ability to be intense without being tense, keeping us focused on improving, but staying relaxed and having fun throughout the process."
Each position is strong for the Jays, on the field and behind the bats, making them the obvious favorite in the pre-season Centennial Conference polls. Around and inside the plates, the Blue Jays have a senior-strong line-up. On the left side of the infield, coach Babb returns Fester at shortstop and Todd Emr at third base. Fester and Emr will make up two-thirds of the captain squad this year. Senior Nate Adelman, who could see some time at all three of the four infield positions, will probably start the season playing second base. He's a solid defensive player, and has a great bat as well. First base is going to be home to senior Matt Benchener, and the Blue Jays hope that he will enthusiastically help them on both offense and defense.
The main theme of the team this year is the mentality of "taking care of business," no matter who it is they are playing. They take one game at a time, or, as Fester says, "one inning at a time". He goes into some detail about this approach. "We have games against some ranked opponents, but who we play is not that important," he said. "We just have to play to our ability and get things done. We had a bus driver named Mac once say, 'There are two things I want you to do for me today ... number one: handle your business, and number two: Handle your business.'" Fester is confident that the guys behind him will be able to back them up.
The outfield is not going to be lacking any talent this season. Hopkins is going to have two of three starters from last year, both of whom were First Team All-Centennial selections. Senior and third captain Rob Pietroforte is ready to return to center field, hoping to have his best season. Senior Jon Solomon comes back to play left field, and he earned all-conference honors last year. Right field is a bit more open, but Coach Babb will have some difficult game-time decisions to make. Sophomore Brian Youchak was the projected starter last season before an injury in February cost him the year, but the coaching staff believes he brings quite the power option with him. Seniors Nick Venezia and Isaac Katz both saw time in the outfield last year and could factor into the mix again this year, adding even more potential depth and competition.
In terms of catching and pitching, the Blue Jays are a scary force to be reckoned with. Two players are ready to take their positions behind the dish. Senior Tony Margve and sophomore Joe Borrelli are going to have to battle it out to see who will be relaying signals to the impressive pitching staff. The entire pitching staff from last year returns to the field this year, and the strength of the Jays will undoubtedly grow from it. The pitching stars will surely shine this season, and they will play a key role in Hopkins's success. It's the bullpen that will definitely make the Jays stand out and foster the one-inning-at-a-time mentality. Fester is more than willing to give his opinion. "The strength of our team is our pitching staff," he said. "If we are going to do anything special this season, it will be because of their depth and ability. We have some real professional prospects, and some guys who will leave their hearts out on the mound."
After the season-opener on Tuesday March 4, they face Stevens Tech in a do??uble header on Saturday, March 8 at 12 p.m. at the Hopkins baseball field.
