New Era for Fitchburg State Baseball Set to Launch
FITCHBURG, Mass. - Since January 25th, operating in an area much too small for pop-flies or batting practice, 34 baseball players and one first-time head coach have been working, and working, and waiting until first pitch.
"If we're not ready to be outside after eight weeks inside then I don't know if I did my job," observed Kevin Barnaby ahead of his first appearance in the head coaching role for Fitchburg State baseball.
Tunes like Californication filled the square footage around the basketball court as the team split between pitchers throwing bullpens and infielders taking ground balls. The laid-back bunch, along with their new head coach, kick off the season not in Florida during spring break but in frigid New England on February 27th.
An inconvenience for both teams says head coach Kevin Barnaby. "I admit I got a little ambitious scheduling games early," he said on the impending cold-weather opening, "but there's no excuses. It's going to be cold for both sides. Our biggest thing will be getting the work in but avoiding injuries," he continued.
Injuries to the pitching staff is one thing this year's team will need to avoid.
After the graduation of Ryan Magni, the team's bona fide ace from a season ago, the Falcons will need to rely on a bevy of young arms to carry the load throughout the season.
"The pitching staff was very good last year but we return some pitchers as well and we're going to be able to put these new guys in situations to pitch," Barnaby said of his mound options this season.
Following a three-game stint in New England, the pitching rotation with eight returning arms and a mix of new faces, will see plenty of action at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational, playing nine games over a span of eight days (March 12-19).
"Among hurlers, freshman Evan Meleedy, and sophomores Andrew Mooney and Tommy Parsons are a few of the younger guys that will need to be starters for us immediately," Barnaby said. "Javier Lozada is the lone senior in the group so we have a lot of young pups on the mound," he continued.
While the rotation may be lacking in experience, the players behind the starting pitcher more than make up for it.
"We're hoping that our experienced fielders can set the tone and make things easier for the pitchers and be able to calm them down," he said.
In fact, 16 position players from last year's team will be returning this season, including senior 1B/DH Brendan Cutler and 2014 ECAC Division III New England Rookie of the Year Steven Drury Jr. in the middle of the batting order. Also returning to the line-up is 2015's entire starting outfield, as well as a few members of the team who had their 2015 season cut short due to injury.
"I've relied on them (the returners) a lot when it comes down to some of the intricacies of the game," Barnaby said of his veteran players. "They do a really good job of putting their arm around a teammate whose head is spinning out there."
Even with so many new faces joining the veteran core from last season, this year's squad has one goal in mind, and it's the only goal as far as their head coach is concerned.
"My expectations for this and every other season going forward are winning the MASCAC, then an NCAA regional title, and then a trip to Wisconsin for a chance to play in the College World Series. We're here for one reason and that's the pig pile at the end," he said emphatically.
In addition to the work they have put forward inside the weight room, the batting tunnel or wherever work is conducted, this year's team has gotten it done off the field as well, volunteering with a number of local organizations during their off-season to give back to the community.
But Barnaby may be most proud of his team's high achievements inside the classroom, where they raised their combined team GPA by half a point.
"The way they've bought into our system - guys are going to class, doing their school work, pushing each other, helping each other and becoming a family. I'm very, very pleased so far."
Fitchburg State opens its season on Feburary 27th against Coast Guard Academy in doubleheader action at the New England Baseball Complex in Northboro, Mass. starting at 11:00 a.m.