St. John's University Athletics
Red Storm Baseball Fall Notebook
11/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
- 2007 Schedule (PDF)
- 2007 Baseball Quick Facts (PDF)
The St. John's baseball team has wrapped up its fall schedule and entered winter workouts having made good progress in following up a successful 2006 campaign. A total of 19 players return from last season, creating a competitive environment, where several positions on the field remain open for competition and roles in the pitching staff are up for grabs heading into the winter.
"We have some guys who really improved through the fall," said head coach Ed Blankmeyer. "We might lack one dominant guy on the mound, but we have some depth and must solidify some roles. We'll have some new guys in some new spots on the field, but we'll have a good deal of experience in some key places."
Blankmeyer also likes the team's experience and the development of some key pieces to the puzzle. Senior catcher Brendan Monaghan, who missed 18 games with a knee injury last season, looks ready to assume full-time catching duties, while junior third baseman Gil Zayas comes off a solid summer and should hit in the middle of the Red Storm lineup. Junior Chris Anninos and freshman Brian Kemp have appeared to lock up right and center field, respectively, and Chris Joachim and Anthony Smith should combine to man the left field and designated hitter positions.
Eleven of 13 pitchers return for St. John's, giving the team extraordinary depth that should be an extra benefit in mid-week contests and a tournament scenario. Sophomore left-hander Scott Barnes will be looked at to anchor the three-man BIG EAST rotation, and a group of sophomore right-handers Justin Gutsie, Colin Lynch and Jared Yecker, junior left-handers George Brown and Matt Tosoni and freshman righty Miguel Valcarcel will compete for the remaining two spots.
The bullpen figures to be in good hands with the return of veteran James Lally, sophomore right-hander Rich Armento and freshman righties Ryan Cole and B.J. Martin. A combination of Gutsie, Lynch, Brown, Tosoni and Nick Luisi could all see time in relief roles, giving the Red Storm the kind of depth that can win championships.
St. John's begins its 2007 season in Midland, Texas for the 2007 Collegiate Classic and games against Eastern Michigan, Texas Tech and Dallas Baptist from Feb. 15-17. The East Carolina Tournament takes place the following weekend, featuring a four-team field that includes the host Pirates, Duke and the University of Washington. A spring trip through Texas and Louisiana leads the team into its 2007 home opener on March 14 against Albany, and Connecticut represents the Red Storm's first BIG EAST Conference weekend (March 23-25).
