The 2008 Spartans set their sights on rebounding from a disappointing 2007 campaign which saw STAC slip to 13-14 in conference play and miss the ECC play-offs by a game. Gone from that team are career hit leader John Muller (now in the Chicago Cubs organization), Javier Diaz (. 350, 12 HRs, 50 RBIs), and T.J. Varrichio (12 HRs). Graduated pitchers include Mike Pasch & Chris Skrypack. Both were consistent and reliable for the past four and two years respectively. The 2007 team stole a conference leading 81 bases, and belted a STAC record 51 homeruns (2nd in the conference). With the advent of the wood bat and the loss of power, the 2008 team will be constructed differently, relying more on contact and situational hitting rather than homeruns. Once again, the Spartans will look to be the top base stealing team in the conference. With an improved defense and good team speed, the only question mark will be how the young pitching staff responds.
OFFENSE
The offense will be led by returning seniors John Mazzello (Hyde Park, NY), Mike Triana (New Milford, NJ) and sophomore Vin Malzahn (Port Jervis, NY). Mazzello was a unanimous All-ECC & All-Region infielder after collecting 67 hits, batting .409 and swiping 26 bases (19th nation/game). As the Spartan lead-off man he hit 11 doubles, 5 triples, and 3 homeruns, walked 24 times, and scored 47 runs. Triana, brings a .334 batting average and swiped 9 of 10 bases last season. He has amassed 82 games and 239 at-bats as a Spartan, stolen 17 of 18 bases, walked 41 times while striking out only 38. Malzahn is fresh off a rookie campaign in which he hit .312, belted 12 HRs (3rd nationally per game for freshman), and drove in 35 runs. For his efforts he was honored as the East Coast Conference Rookie of the Year. Joining them is sophomore Fernando Peralta (Pine Bush, NY) and transfer David Schwartz (Nanuet, NY) . Peralta started in centerfield as a freshman and was hitting over .300 until a serious ankle sprain derailed him for the two weeks. Schwartz Joins the Spartans after a successful high school career at St. Joes and Rockland County CC. At RCC, he hit .357 (2nd on team), 14 doubles (1st) and drove in 20 runs (2nd on team).
INFIELD
The defense will be anchored by Mazzello at shortstop and the 6'5 Malzhan at first base. Junior Chris Zapata (Stamford, CT) steps in to take the 2nd base duties. Zapata has great speed, good range, and hits from the left side. He will most likely hit in the #2 spot. Junior Ramon Cueto (Bronx, NY) looks to be the starter at 3rd. He has an above average arm, good actions at 3rd, and gap power at the plate. Kevin Connors (W. Babylon, NY) & freshman Dan McDermott (Levittown, NY) add depth to the infield and will compete for 2nd & 3rd base time.
OUTFIELD
Peralta will start in centerfield and Triana in left. Peralta has an above average arm, runs well, and takes efficient routes to the ball. He makes comparisons defensively to former Spartan & NY Mets minor leaguer Mike Sharpe. Triana possesses good speed as well in the outfield. After a solid fall season , freshman Jonathan Proscia (Franklin Sq., NY) makes a strong case for starting spot in right. He led the Catholic League in hitting with a .442 clip(wood). He carries a good arm and good speed. Junior Ottice Reda (Chestnut Ridge, NY), Sophomore Pat Murray (Demarest, NJ), and freshman Joe Antenucci (Emerson, NJ) will compete for time in the outfield. Murray is the fastest member of the Spartans and has a great arm. Reda is a left-handed contact hitter who fields his position well. Antenucci is a tough, gritty player who does everything at full speed.
CATCHING
The catching corps are anchored by returners Joe Guistino (Old Bethpage, NY) and Jonathan Garvey (Brooklyn, NY). Both are good defenders and have good times to 2nd. Joining them are transfers John Mulder and Schwartz. Mulder is solid defensively and Schwartz has good hands and a strong arm.
PITCHING
The staff will be led by two seniors Joel Violette (Fredericton, Canada) and Anthony Russo (Brooklyn, NY). The big righties are looking to rebound from subpar seasons in '07. The 6'6 Violette has touched 90 mph on occasions with his fastball. He also has a good slider. The 6'4 Russo has excellent stuff and great movement on all his pitches. Sophomore lefty Brian LaMarr (Flushing, NY) joins them as a conference starter. He is the proto-typical lefty that will not over power, but gets outs with deception, movement, and change of speed. Joining them as the 4th conference starter is freshman Mike Aviles (Suffern, NY). The 6'1 righty had a 1.79 ERA in 41 innings of work for Suffern High School. The closer role will be handled by John Della Monica (Tappan, NY). The hard throwing righty can touch 90 mph with a low slotted fastball and a good slider. Freshmen Kevin Ryan (Levittown, NY), Mark Fochesato (Middletown, NY), & Chris Schoepe (Prattsville, NY) join the Spartan staff and figure to play prominent roles as rookies. Ryan was an all-Conference left-handed pitcher/first baseman selection at MacArthur. He has an above average good curve ball. Schoepe was an All-State performer in upstate New York at WAJ Central. Fochesato was a standout at Pine Bush high school. Both have good fastballs and off-speed pitches that are game ready. Adding experience to the staff will be Suffolk West transfer Scott Sadowski (Bethpage, NY). The righty is a tough competitor who can locate all his pitches. He also is a left-handed hitter and serves in a utility role defensively. Freshman Mike Puka (Wantaugh, NY) and Proscia will serve as left-handed relievers. Puka has one of the better change-ups on the staff.
The Season begins with a 3-game series against cross-river rival PACE on March 1 in Petersburg, Va. The following weekend the Spartans travel to Boca Raton, Florida to play a 9-game spring break stint which concludes with a double-header against #3 nationally ranked Franklin Pierce. The Spartans will open their East Coast Conference games with a home contest against Molloy College on March 20th.