St. John's University Athletics
Red Storm Baseball Announces 2007 Team Captains
2/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The St. John's baseball team and head coach Ed Blankmeyer have announced the team's co-captains for the 2007 season. Seniors Sam DeLuca, Chris Joachim and Brendan Monaghan have been voted to lead the team as it looks for a third straight 40-win season and enters the 2007 season as the favorite to win the BIG EAST Conference title.
"These three players are solid and experienced, and they've been through the grind of a BIG EAST schedule," Blankmeyer said. "They know what it takes to successfully compete at this level."
DeLuca was a third team All-BIG EAST selection in 2006 after hitting .339 with 15 extra-base hits, 41 RBI and 14 stolen bases. The 2007 season will be his fourth as a starter, as he provides leadership in the middle of the infield and a versatile bat in the heart of the Red Storm lineup.
Joachim moves from first base to left field to start his fifth season at St. John's. A Preseason All-BIG EAST choice and part of the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List, the redshirt senior has garnered preseason attention for his ability to hit, run and defend. As a co-captain in 2006, Joachim led by example, ranking among the BIG EAST leaders with a .398 batting average, .471 on-base percentage and 20 stolen bases.
Monaghan has complimented his leadership skills behind the plate with a breakout offensive campaign in 2006 and outstanding winter practice. The senior hit .354 and had a .440 on-base percentage in limited at-bats a season ago and has impressed the St. John's coaching staff with his progression through the fall and winter.
St. John's begins its 2007 season in mid-February, traveling to Midland, Texas, for The College Classic (Feb. 15-17) and games versus Texas Tech and Dallas Baptist. Tournaments in Beaumont, Texas, and Greenville, N.C., a road contest against Rice and a three-game series at McNeese State follow, before the Red Storm sees its first action at Jack Kaiser Stadium with a March 14 game against Albany.
