The Georgetown University baseball team opens their 2009 season with high expectations as they look to improve on a disappointing 2008 season. The team has restocked its roster with new talent, and most of last year’s starters have returned for a shot to qualify for the Big East tournament, the Hoyas’ top priority this season.
“We feel like we have the team this year to do it,” senior co-captain Tommy Lee said. “We have a better chance than we’ve ever had before.”
The speedy Lee led the team in at-bats last year and was second in hits. Joining Lee as co-captain is senior catcher Greg Pustizzi, known by his teammates for his ability to communicate effectively with pitchers and his teammates as a whole.
“It’s important to take charge when need be and putting your foot down when you see something that’s not happening right,” Pustizzi said.
Lee and Pustizzi will try to help Head Coach Pete Wilk turn the team around in his tenth year as skipper. According to Wilk, the team’s major improvements must come on the defensive end of things. The Hoyas have enough offense to produce runs as they are returning their slugging corner infielders. Red shirt sophomore Dan Capeless will be the team’s starting first basemen, bolstering the middle of the lineup after posting a team-leading 53 hits as well as the second most home runs (7) and third most runs batted in (30) last season. Across the diamond, power-hitting sophomore Sean Lamont—who led the team in home runs, slugging percentage, and runs scored in 2008—will helm the hot corner.
In addition to their bats, the Hoyas hope their arms will help them play their way into the Big East Tournament. Senior Jimmy Saris leads the pitching staff this year after coming off an average 6-win season. Junior Tim Adleman is a solid number 2 starter after finishing last season with both the second-most wins and strikeouts on the team. Still, the Hoyas will need the rest of the pitching staff to help replace graduates Michael Gaggioli, Daniel Kennedy, and Grady McConnell.
The Hoyas also welcome an impressive freshman class to the Hilltop, one that includes four pitchers, three infielders, and two outfielders.
“A lot of [freshman] guys are going to contribute on the field, as a whole,” Lee said. “The freshman class is helping raise the expectations we have for ourselves. They’re a great class.”
Wilk can only hope that things fall into place early, but he’s already impressed with what he has seen in practice thus far.
“They’re scrappy offensively with a few guys who will leave the yard consistently,” he said. “We’ll have to fight for every win as our schedule is as tough as it’s been since I’ve been here.”
The first game of the season is on Friday as the Hoyas take on Northwestern in the Big East/Big Ten Baseball Challenge in Tampa, Florida.
