Six years ago, the Emerson College Baseball program began anew, with a Spring trip to Myrtle Beach. Although many memories were made (including a team photo on the steps of the historic Appomattox Court House in Virginia) and crab legs were enjoyed, the first Varsity win proved elusive and was not attained until the team traveled to Lehman College in the Bronx, NY.
At 4:30 AM on March 2nd, the Emerson Lions will begin the trip back to Myrtle Beach, SC for the first time since 2007. This year's barnstorming trip is comprised of 7 games at The Ripken Experience, followed by 4 games on the return trip to Boston, with stops in Virginia, DC, and New York. The squad has been preparing for the March 3rd season opener since the Fall Season where the Varsity team narrowly edged the Alumni. There is some healthy competition amongst the teammates vying for starting roles left open by some of the 12 seniors that graduated last year. Our starting catcher, shortstop, second baseman, first baseman, and both corner outfielders from the 2012 season have moved on in addition to pitchers who threw a combined 111.2 innings.
Junior Nick Kelly will look to build on his team leading 52 innings from last season, while Seniors Brandon Topp and Conor McDonough plan to up their combined 39 innings from 2012. Junior Andy Brightman and Sophomore Julian Rifkind will both be key in making up some of the 100+ innings we graduated, as they transition from bullpen roles to the starting rotation. Sophomore Sammy Evers and Freshmen Jack Capotorto and Jesse Francese are all fighting for starting roles, while Cal Ciarcia, Xavier Garcia, and Kyle Muhlfriedel will all see innings in relief. During the spring trip we will be playing 11 games, and we will need to throw at least 90 innings, so all pitchers will get some significant chances early in the season.
Freshman Steve Cameron has earned the starting role behind the plate and has made it known he's ready to make everyone forget the Geoff Lopes name. For four years, Lopes was a stalwart behind the dish, leading the conference in thrown out base-stealers 3 of his 4 seasons. Steve worked incredibly hard over the summer and fall, and he looks poised to control the pitching staff immediately in his first year at Emerson. Returners Zach Dean and Kolby Woodfield will be splitting time at DH and 1B and look to provide some power in the middle of the Lions' lineup. Cal Ciarcia returns to the hot corner where he has enjoyed a successful first half of his collegiate careeer. James Sullivan will continue to patrol CF as he has since Freshman year. Some other spots are close to solidified, but nothing is set in stone. We will follow up with some more previews before the season starts as we continue to work hard during indoor practices.
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