Shortstop Zach Schonberger '06 returns after an impressive junior season where he joined Vladek on the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association Div. III all-New England first team as well as landing a first team all-NESCAC selection. He was near the top in almost every statistical category in the NESCAC, placing first in home-runs (eight) and assists (115), and third in RBI's (39) and total bases (80). First baseman Dave Levinson '06 takes a career .342 average into the season after earning a second-team all-NESCAC selection in 2005. Rounding out the infield will be second baseman Mark Mazzone '07 and a couple of options at hot-corner including rookies Nat Pedley and Mike Hinckley. Behind the plate will be a trio of solid Jeffs including Neal Allar '08 and Josh Card '08 who figure to see most of the action, with Andy Phillips '07 also grabbing some time as well. Card was perfect in the field last season, committing no errors and gunning down a team-high seven base runners.
Manning the outfield will be Andrew Green '06, Jared Banner '07 and Tom Scott '07 while Evan Bruno '08, Conor Clancy '08 and Matt Goldsmith '08 will see time there as well. Green had an impressive .392 batting average last season-good enough for seventh in the conference-while Banner was a thief on the bases, swiping 13 for third place in the NESCAC while hitting .351. Scott had a great year at the plate hitting .341 while smacking 10 doubles.
The Jeffs also welcome 11 rookies to the roster. Joining the already deep staff will be Ben Goldfarb, Mike Landman, Ryan Platzbecker and Daren Synder. Each should see bullpen roles if not a start here and there as well. Jay Hebb will join the trio of older catchers. Hinckley, Mike Neff, Pedley, Brendan Powers and Angus Schaller add depth to the infield, while John DeCarlo bolsters the outfield ranks. "There are a lot of [first-years] that are going to have an immediate impact," said Schonberger.
Anything less than a NESCAC title would appear to be a disappointment to a team that has dominated the league the past two seasons. The team will be judged on how well they play in the NCAAs, and a team goal undoutedly is to win it all.
"This is by far the best team we have had in my four years and we certainly expect to improve on last year's performance," said Schonberger.
The Jeffs open their season with 11 games in nine days when they head down to Fort Myers, Fla. on March 18 to battle a number of teams from around the country.
NESCAC Notes
Amherst and Trinity College figure to be the top-two teams in the region once again this season. Trinity beat Amherst in the NCAA regionals last season.