The 2009 Spartans will set their sights high as they build off a recording-breaking 2008 season in which they won the East Coast Conference Regular Season, notched 28 victories, had 7 Spartans selected to the All-ECC team, and finished # 9 in the final NCBWA N.E. Regional Poll. Statistically the Spartans led the ECC in stolen bases (111), homeruns (17) and finished 2nd in runs, doubles, and walks. The pitching staff finished 2nd in ERA at 3.79 and 2nd in saves (11). They also excelled in the class room, having 7 players selected to the President's Honor Roll (3.2 GPA over the previous three semesters). Gone from the 2008 team is 1stteam All-ECC shortstop John Mazzello, who led the Spartans in almost every offensive category and arguably was the best all-around player in the conference. Also gone is Mike Triana, a career .300 hitter. Departed from the pitching staff is closer Jon Della Monica, and starters Anthony Russo and Joel Violette. Della Monica had a record 8 saves while Russo and Violette were huge contributors, combining for 100 innings, 20 starts, a 3.60 ERA, and 6 wins.
With several key additions and the continued development of the returners, the Spartans continued their winning ways this fall, going 6-1, winning the Veteran's Memorial Fall Tournament, and maintaining a 3.15 team GPA (highest ever). With the 2009 team returning six of eight starting position players, there is reason for high hopes. The team is expected to be stronger defensively and will again rely upon their team speed to produce runs. The pitching staff will be younger, but deeper. The coaching staff has been bolstered by two additions: former White Sox minor leaguer, Joe Curreri, takes over as the Spartan pitching coach and former Spartan shortstop, John Mazzello, will be working with the hitters and the infielders.
OFFENSE
The offense will be led by a core of returners. Among those are Vin Malzahn (Sparrowbush, NY). The junior first baseman was Rookie of the Yearand led the conference in homeruns (12) as a freshman. He earned All-ECC honors last season with 7 homeruns (led ECC) & 38 RBIs. Dan McDermott (Levittown, NY) also returns after hitting .324 and driving in 35 RBIs during his All-ECC freshman campaign. Kevin Connors (W. Babylon, NY) returns after a stellar sophomore season in which he hit .294 with 20 RBIs and was selected 1st Team All-ECC Utility. Another All-ECC performer, Fernando Peralta (Pine Bush, NY), returns after hitting .274 with 22 stolen bases. Lastly, junior Pat Murray (Demarest, NJ) returns after hitting .287 with 14 stolen bases.
INFIELD
With three returning starters the infield expects to better than last year. Sophomore Matt Marotta (Suffern, NY)will fill the vacated shortstop position. The Don Bosco graduate possesses an excellent arm and has a great natural feel for the position. He has shown good gap power and will hit in the middle of the order. Malzahn will return to first base. During the off-season he made size and strength gains while improving his mobility around the bag. At second base, Chris Zapata (Stamford, CT) returns. The senior captain has quick actions and good range. Connors,another captain,will serve as the utility infielder. Joining the infield is Dan Stroud (Nyack, NY).He is a versatile athlete who can play anywhere in the infield and outfield. He has gap power at the plate and good speed.
OUTFIELD
Peraltawill start in centerfield and Murray in right. Peralta has an excellent arm, runs well, and takes efficient routes to the ball. Murray is one of the fastest players in the league and has a strong arm. Retuning as well is Joe Antenucci. (Emerson, NJ) who hit .264 as a freshman. He has above average speed and arm. Joining them will be freshman Nick Barbalato (Mahopac, NY) and Sophomore Matt Smith (Paramus, NJ). Barbalatohits from the left side, runs well, and is a tough and gritty player. Smithhas good power, has great speed and defends well in the outfield.
CATCHING
The catching corps is anchored by returners Jonathan Garvey (Brooklyn, NY) and Joe Guistino (Old Bethpage, NY). Both are experienced, good receivers and have the ability to throw out base stealers. Joining them is freshman George Wargo (W. Haverstraw, NY) who comes to STAC after a stellar senior season in which he hit over .400. He has all the tools to be an excellent catcher for the next four years. John Mulder (Glen Head, NY)rounds out the catching corps and adds experience and solid defense.
PITCHING
The pitching staff will be led by lefty Brian LaMarr (Flushing, NY) and two right-handers, Mark Fochesato (Pine Bush, NY) & Mike Aviles (Suffern, NY).The trio will form the nucleus of the pitching staff. LaMarr battled through soreness in his pitching arm and gave the Spartans a chance to win in all his team leading 11 starts. Fochesato dominated out of the pen, appearing in 22 games, with a 2.29 ERA, and 7 wins, while limiting opposing hitters to a meager.172 average (led ECC). His efforts got him 2nd team All-ECC as a freshman. Avileshad a 3.84 ERA, won 6 games, struck out 37 and walked only 18. Moving from the bullpen to the starting rotation will be lefty Kevin Ryan (Levittown, NY).He has shown a good fastball for a lefty and an excellent curve ball. Freshman Tyler Savin (Wantaugh, NY) is slotted to be the 5thstarter. The 6'3 righty was voted the top high school pitcher in Nassau County. He has a strong arm, good mound presence and knows how to pitch. Senior Scott Sadowski (Bethpage, NY) may be the toughest pitcher on the staff. He can start, relieve, throw on short rest, and will always battle. Mike Puka (Wantagh, NY)returns as a lefty specialist. Three left-handers join the staff and will serve out of the pen. Junior college transfer Matt Matkovich (Suffern, NY), Chris Reyes (New York, NY), Thomas Enright (Nanuet, NY). Matkovich looks to be a big contributor after a solid sophomore season at Rockland Community College. Reyes has good arm and a solid change-up. Enrightadds a different look as a low slotted left-hander. A freshman trio of right-handers joins the staff and will most likely serve out of the pen: Joe Ferrara (Congers, NY), 1st Team All-Rockland County, Jared Randazzo (Suffern, NY), 2nd Team All-Rockland County /All-League, and Ken Frawley (White Plains, NY), All-Section Honorable Mention. Marottawill serve double duty, seeing time out of the pen when he is not playing shortstop. During the fall Dave Schwartz (Nanuet, NY)made the transition from catcher to closer, displaying good control with above average velocity on his fastball.
The season will open on February 27th with a 3 game series at PACE, two games at New Haven the following weekend, and followed by a two game set against Nyack. The Spartans will then head to Florida and take on three of the top four regional teams: Franklin Pierce, Southern Connecticut, and Caldwell. The first East Coast Conference game will be March 9th at Mercy and the first ECC series will be the weekend of March 28th at Adelphi.