The St. Joseph’s Varsity Boys Baseball Team is looking to build off of their successful 2011 season. Eight of last year’s starters returned this year, including All-Region players Ryan Stamler, Aaron Lesiak, and David Marable. Even though the team will remain young, it gained a huge amount of experience and confidence after finishing 18-7 last season and making it to the District Championship Game.
“Region Two remains the most competitive region in the state,” stated Head Coach J.B. Barwick. “This team has worked extremely hard since the completion of last season and is committed to reach the ultimate goal of State Champions. We’re really starting to come together as an elite unit.”
This year’s pitching staff may be the deepest in the state and is one of the strengths of the team. Nick Leonard, Aaron Lesiak, Graham Roberts, and Ryan Stamler anchor the starting rotation with Andrew Buff, John Hawkins, Sean McDermott Angelo Pahila, and Jack Twomey contributing to the solid pitching staff. David Marable returns as the starting catcher and will get relief from Angelo Pahila. In addition to the pitching staff, another stronghold of this season’s team will be returning defensive lineup, which includes Alex Malsch, David Estes, and Will McLellan.
The season is off to a great start with wins in the first two region games against cross-town rivals Southside Christian (16-2) and Christ Church Episcopal (10-4).
“Our expectations are to win the state championship, but we have to take it one game at a time. It seems we have a bull’s eye on our back, so the boys will have to work harder to stay on top. It should be an exciting year for St. Joseph’s baseball.”
JV Baseball
The St. Joseph’s JV Baseball Team looks to continue its legacy of winning seasons with returning starters Nick Burns, Tucker McMillen, Carter Powell, Sterling Turmon, and Evan Willoughby. But it’s the fresh look of seventh graders Matthew Bynum, Jack Culomovic, Carson Genal, Garrett Davidson, Andrew Judkins, and Jack Stamler that has Coach Greg Simms excited about the future.
“We have an extremely talented but young group of players this season,” stated Coach Simms. “Our returning players range from eighth to tenth grade boys, and half of our team is composed of seventh graders. Pitching will be deep but inexperienced, and our defense will be very flexible as most of the boys will handle multiple roles.”
The pitching staff consists of Nick Burns, Jack Culomovic, Garrett Davidson, Carson Genal, Andrew Judkins, Tucker McMillen, Jack Stamler, Sterling Turmon, and Evan Willoughby. McMillen and Willoughby will anchor the catching position with Willoughby handling the majority of the load. Sean McDermott will move between JV and Varsity this season and provide some pitching support for the promising unit. Carter Powell will handle duties at shortstop and Matthew Bynum will cover the corner outfield positions. The squad will be fairly lean but Coach Simms believes in development by playing the boys as much as possible to prepare them for varsity play.
After defeating Hammond Academy and Upstate Eagles in pre-season play, the JV squad opened its regular season with a huge 7-1 victory over Southside Christian.
“Although we’re young, this is a scrappy and energetic group of young men,” concluded Coach Simms. “They know most of their opponents will be older, bigger, and stronger, but it doesn’t intimidate them. They walk onto the field with a chip on their shoulder, respect their opponents, and leave it all on the field.”
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