Wilmington University Baseball

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Baseball 2008 Season Outlook

The 2008 baseball team is really looking forward to defending its Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference title. This year’s team is full of talent with fourteen letter winners returning and many promising new faces. The 2008 schedule is challenging again, facing conference rivals Caldwell College and Dominican College, as well as other strong opponents from the PSAC, West Chester and Kutztown. Also on the schedule are Northeast-10 foes Franklin Pierce, Bryant, and Pace. The Wildcats will compete against difficult opponents in Florida, including St. Thomas (Miami) and Barry University. The season will highlight an annual match-up against Division I rival University of Delaware.

The Wildcats will be led once again by their pitching staff, starting with senior captain right-hander Joe Matterer (Newark/Newark, DE). He went 12-1 and was a 1st Team All-Conference selection. This year’s pitching staff is very deep. Other starters will be senior right-hander Jimmy Okoniewski (St. Mark’s/Wilmington, DE), sophomore southpaw Cameron Saienni (McKean, Wilmington, DE), junior lefty Sean Gorham (West Deptford/Thorofare, NJ), freshman right-hander John Baker (Concord/Wilmington, DE), and senior left-hander Billy Cecconi (Howard/Newark, DE). Pitchers seeing spot starts and middle relieve appearances will be freshman right hander Anthony Cimabue (Delcastle/Wilmington, DE), sophomore right-hander Steve Messick (William Penn/New Castle, DE), junior lefty Cody Holliday (Havre de Grace/Havre de Grace, MD), and sophomore right hander Phil Aviola (St. Mark’s/Newark, DE). The closer role will be taken over by senior right hander Clint Kuhl (Middletown/Bear, DE). If everyone can stay healthy, the staff has a chance to be very good.

The offense returns six starters from last year’s squad, headed by senior captain and utility player Brian Testa (St. Elizabeth’s/Wilmington, DE). He was a 1st Team All-Conference selection last season. The infield will have senior Joe Danks (Penns Grove/Pennsville, NJ) at first, senior Joe Roth (Glasgow/Bear, DE) at second, freshman Andre Mandarino (Concord/Wilmington, DE) at shortstop, and third base will be occupied by senior Mike Wilson (Dickinson/Wilmington, DE). Freshmen Drew Anusky (Gloucester Catholic/National Park, NJ), Matt Umba (Gloucester Catholic/Woodbury, NJ), and Joe Brown (Newark/Newark, DE) will add a lot of depth to the infield. The catching duties are going to be shared between senior captain Matt Gianni (Southern Regional/Barnegat, NJ), sophomore Phil Aviola, and senior Joe Roth. Freshmen Dave Levin (Brandywine/Wilmington, DE) and Chaz Losito (Avon Grove/Avondale, PA) give us a lot of depth behind the plate. In the outfield we will have senior Chris Brooks (Southern Regional/Manahawkin, NJ), fellow senior Spike Austin (Caravel Academy/ Townsend, DE), and junior Cody Holliday. Freshman Zach Wolfe (Middletown, Middletown, DE) and freshman John Baker add depth in the outfield as well. This offense has a chance to put up a lot of runs this season.

With the experience of the returnees and the drive of the incoming players, the Wildcats hope to make a serious run to capture the CACC title once again.