March 12, 2003
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - "Hopefully we are a good team that plays great," Head Coach John Slosar said while talking about the prospects of the 2003 baseball season at Fairfield University. Slosar, who will enter his 19th season as head coach of Fairfield, will have to rely upon a pitching staff made up mostly of juniors to hold the fort, while the young position players get up to speed.
Last season, the Stags finished 20-30 overall and 12-15 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), which was good for sixth place in the conference. However, this year the Stags will have to incorporate new faces into the lineup, which were used primarily as role players a year ago.
"Our goal is to play well fundamentally and keep improving as the season progresses," Slosar stated. "We look to jell early in the season, and then have a strong finish at the end of the season."
Pitchers
The pitching staff looks to be the strength of the Stags heading into the season, with two-thirds of the weekend starters returning for another year. Junior Tom Maisano looks to be the ace of the staff after posting a 6-4 record, with six complete games and team-high 74 strikeouts.
The Long Island native also had a solid summer pitching for the Danbury Westerners of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL). He was selected to pitch in the NECBL All-Star game while complying a 4-1 record on the hill, and a 1.57 earned run average. In 46.0 inning pitched the 6-foot Long Island native allowed just 11 runs on 31 hits. He recorded a team-high 45 strikeouts, and opposing hitters batted just .189.
Pablo Tamayo was used mostly as the Sunday starter for the Stags. "He pitched well for us as times last season," Slosar said. "So far in the preseason, I see an improved pitcher."
 Junior Pablo Tamayo  |
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The third weekend starter looks to be senior Paul Gorra, a two-sport standout at Fairfield, he was a backup quarterback on the football team last fall. Gorra was 2-6, last season, with 25 strikeouts. "Paul has been impressive in the preseason," Slosar said. "We are hoping he can regain his form from his freshman season, where he was a quality starter for us."
Look for Tim Dugan, who showed some promise in his 14 appearances last year and freshman Steve Tyburski to get the ball from Slosar this season. Dugan had a 2-2 record with a 5.58 ERA and 27 strikeouts a year ago.
In the bullpen Slosar will look to Matt Coolidge and Pat Quinn, who according to Slosar have had solid early springs for Slosar. Coolidge was 0-1 in nine appearances with eight strikeouts, and six walks. Quinn was 1-3 in 16.2 innings pitched, and struck out eight.
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Hopefully we are a good team that plays great
Head Coach John Slosar
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Also, Matt Thiffault will be in the mix of right-handers from the pen for Slosar. "Thiffault had a fine year last season," Slosar said. "He needs to be more consistent to be a force out of the bullpen." Thiffault led the bullpen with a school-record 22 appearances, two saves, 40 strikeouts, in 43.0 innings pitched.
Matt Young who is recovering from an elbow surgery hopes to regain his form by mid season for the Stags. "As a freshman Matt was a weekday starter, and a weekend reliever for us," Slosar said.
Catchers
The Stags will have to replace Sean Easton behind the plate. Three candidates have emerged to fill Easton's shoes in the preseason. Freshman Tom Arpino has the lead so far in preseason practice. Junior Mike Wray will split time with Arpino, after hitting .200 in 10 plate appearances last season. David Soucy has the potential to be a very valuable backup at that position, according to Slosar.
Infield
Slosar will have to replace his entire infield Junior Nick Hudyma will anchor the infield at second base. Last season he filled in for starter Matt Ciardelli who was limited to designated hitter, after suffering a sprained ankle late in the season. Hudyma hit .233 in 116 at-bats, with 12 RBI, and 27 hits.
Sal Mancuso who spent a majority of his playing time last season as the DH will move to third base. Mancuso hit .295, in 88 at-bats, with 26 hits, 12 runs batted in, and one homerun.
Two freshmen have the inside track on the first base and shortstop positions. Doug Anderson looks to patrol the shortstop position. "Doug has the potential to be an outstanding defensive shortstop with a pretty good bat," Slosar said.
John Scaife has some big shoes to fill, as he will try to replace Ryan Bittner who played every game at first for the past four seasons. Bittner finished his career last season with 228 hits the most in school-history.
Freshman Jim Girolamo will be very useful to Slosar as he can play second base, third base, and center field. Also Mark Geanuleas can fill in at the middle infield spots when asked.
Outfield
Junior Antuan Barnett will continue to play right field for the Stags this season. He possesses a dangerous bat and led the team with seven homeruns, while hitting .262 with 29 RBI in 168 at-bats last season. Slosar is expecting Barnett to continue his progress from last season, and expects him to have a breakout season.
Sophomore Greg Batista will make the move from left field to center after the departure of graduating senior Jon Novalis. Batista hit .214 with four homeruns, and 24 runs batted in.
Andy Lynn, who saw most of his time either at the DH or as a pinch hitter has been the leading candidate in left field. Also fighting for a spot in the outfield is Jim Sheridan and Greg Leaver. "Both could see playing time in that position," Slosar stated.
Schedule
Once again the Stags will face a difficult non-league schedule. The Stags open the season against defending Atlantic-10 champion, George Washington, in a three-game set, March 8-9. It begins an 11-game road trip to start the season, which will take the Stags to Fordham, Drexel, Villanova, UMBC, St. John's and NCAA Tournament participant from a year ago Central Connecticut State. The Stags will open MAAC play with a three-game home series against Siena on March 22.
Along with the Saints the Stags will face Niagara, Saint Peter's, Iona and Manhattan at Alumni Diamond. In all the Stags are slated to play 19 games at home. Fairfield will hit the road for MAAC tilts at Canisius, Marist, LeMoyne, and Rider.
