Thurston, entering his 37th season at the Amherst helm, has captured four New England College Coach of the Year awards during his tenure. Co-captains J.R. Drabick '02 and Jeff Leduc '02 return to what appears to be a very talented and determined group of ballplayers. After finishing in the top four in the inaugural NESCAC playoff tournament last season, the Jeffs are looking for their first NESCAC title this year.
Leduc and Drabick could be the best battery in NESCAC, if not the country. Last season, Leduc led the Jeffs with a 5-1 record, six complete games, two shutouts and a miniscule 1.74 ERA, good enough for second in NESCAC and 15th in the country. "The team looks pretty good so far in practice," said Leduc. "I just want to repeat what I did last year and help the team out."
Leduc will get plenty of support from the rest of the pitching staff. Starting pitchers Andy Kerns '04, Dave Krauser '02 and Jonah Ansell '03 all started at least seven games last season and relievers Duncan Webb '04 and Chris Vecsey '03 combined for five wins and only three losses in over twenty relief appearances. "Pitching is definitely our strength this year," said Leduc. "We all are experienced and can win the big games."
Kevin Downes '01, who posted a 3.91 team ERA last year, is the only pitcher missing from the team. Thurston will rely heavily on Vecsey, the only lefty in the rotation, to shut down left-handed batters. With such a solid core of returning pitchers, Thurston will have plenty of options as the Jeffs begin the season. Look for Eddie Imperatore '05, Kyle Lavery '05 and Pat Mawn '05 to also have an impact during their first collegiate season.
Drabick will lead the Jeffs' defense that looks to fill the void on the left of the field left by three departing starters, third baseman Ryan Whitmarsh '01, leftfielder Dave Siegle '01 and District I all-academic shortstop Jordan Krall '01. Whitmarsh, a first team all-NESCAC selection, led the Jeffs in batting average, hits, homeruns, runs batted in, total bases and slugging percentage last season and will be sorely missed. He also set an Amherst record by hitting in 28 straight games last season.
Second baseman John Brody '02, the Jeffs' best basestealer, will attempt to improve on an impressive junior season in which he batted .336 and led the team in runs and stolen bases. First base is still up in the air, as lefty Jim Hochrein '02, a starter two years ago, returns after a year hiatus. Hochrein and the incumbent first baseman Brett Nicol '03 will vie for first base as the season begins. Newcomer Josh Santry '05, who has been very impressive in early practices, is a potential starter and replacement for Krall at shortstop. "[Santry] has been very good early on," said Leduc. Andy Argyris '04 and Joe Katuska '03 will share duties at third base, with Katuska also backing up Drabick behind the plate.
One of the Jeffs' biggest strengths this year, in addition to pitching and experience, could be its outfield. John Schneider '03, Paul Whiting '04, Jarrett Solomon '03 and Devin Haran '03 all saw plenty of action last season and will battle for spots in the starting lineup. David Powers '05 will also jump right into the spotlight as a contributor in the outfield. Whiting, voted last season's Rookie of the Year by his teammates after cracking the starting lineup midway through the season, will attempt to continue his stellar defensive play.
The Jeffs head to Fort Myers, Fla. over spring break to play against some of the best competition in the country. Although the games do not count towards the NESCAC playoffs, they are extremely important to the team as a whole. Leduc reflected upon the importance of the Florida trip. "Before Florida, the team is usually still in question. Once we get to Florida, things usually come together and the team becomes cohesive," he said.
Everyone agrees it will take a few games in Florida before the starting lineup is set. With eleven games in nine days, the team will rely heavily on its depth and experience in order to make the trip a success.