2002 Bloomsburg University Season Preview

After suffering through a tough 2001 season, Bloomsburg coach Matt Haney was glad to see the calendar turn over to 2002. Not only did it mean he could get further away from last season, it also meant his team was one year older and one year more experienced.

"We are very excited about this year because we are not only older and more experienced, we have also solidified several areas that caused us some problems last year," said Haney. "We are stronger this year at shortstop and as strong at catcher. Our pitching staff should also be improved."

"As a coach, I knew last year would be tough, but you never get used to losing," Haney said. "This season we have a very big junior class and this is their year. They need to show they can play and win at this level. I think they can do it. The kids have gained a lot of confidence over the summer and I hope that translates over to this season."

An area of concern last year for the team was a lack of consistency from game-to-game in many areas like hitting and fielding. Turning that around will help tremendously.

"As a team we were not consistent last year," Haney said. "We need to show more consistency from at-bat to at-bat and game-to-game. This is not a team that will manufacture runs with speed. It will be done this year with the hit and run, so consistency becomes even more important."

As for the PSAC Eastern Division, every team is a contender according to Haney.

"This is a very strong division," said the 12th year coach. "Kutztown, Shippensburg, Millersville and Mansfield are all very strong teams. West Chester and East Stroudsburg have also improved so we need to be ready to play each and every game."

FIRST BASE

Jason Helcoski, second team All-PSAC last year, will get the nod here for the third straight season. A terrific hitter, Helcoski has improved his game by becoming a better hitter to the opposite field. Red-shirt freshman Joe Pesci will backup Helcoski.

SECOND BASE

The Huskies have two players, Larry Piccini and Paul Santay returning at this position. Piccinni is the returning starter with Santay seeing time at both second and short. Freshman Andy Howard will add depth to the position.

SHORTSTOP

The Huskies will have a new face here as Chris Husted comes in highly recruited. Husted has a strong bat from the right side and plays solid defense.

THIRD BASE

Brian Zorger is the returning starter at this position. Zorger led the Huskies with 17 doubles a year ago and has worked hard to improve his strength. Kurt Biedermann and Jim Coombe will provide backup at both third and first.

OUTFIELD

The Huskies outfield will be an experienced one this season. In left field Brian Martin, second team All-PSAC last season, returns after finishing second on the team with four homers a year ago. Mark Reiter will be in center. Reiter had a solid freshman year hitting .277 with 29 runs scored. In right field, look for Tim Kelleher, Mike Fiorelli and Andy Bagley to share time. Bagley is very fast and could help. Nick Stachokus will see time in several spots, while Ryan Lentz will also see time mainly because of his right-handed bat.

DESIGNATED HITTER

This position will depend on who is playing the field on a given day. Look for Kelleher, Sperling and Biedermann to see time at this position.

CATCHER

At catcher the Huskies are strong with three capable receivers. Red-shirt junior Jeremy Arner will get the starting nod, with Brian Sperling and Aaron Wheeler battling for time. Arner is a transfer from Northhampton County Community College where he was named All-Conference.

PITCHING

Matt Wiltrout will lead the staff. He worked hard to improve by playing in wooden bat league last summer. Mike Robertson and Matt Bennecoff will also be starters for the Huskies. Robert Jewett and Mike Rakoczy will be spot starters and provide relief. Also out of the bullpen is Mike Vavra who has another year of experience and will be better. Kurt Biedermann and Charlie Reed will also work out of the bullpen on a regular basis.

"I will be disappointed if we don;t finish at least .500 in the conference," said Haney. "Non-conference games are a different story, they are always a toss-up. Last year we beat Bucknell and they ended up in the Division I sub-regional of the College World Series. Overall though, I can't wait for that first game to be played."