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Earning the opening day start in left field is freshman Ian Miller (Downington, PA / Bishop Shanahan). The Keystone State native had a solid fall season and could contribute at any of the three outfield slots. Sophomore Nick Alfano enters the year as the team’s fourth outfielder after playing in 29 games, including 16 starts. The Sunshine State native hit .264 a year ago, but his play improved during conference play after entering the starting line-up late in the season. During league play, his average jumped over a 100 points to .364 as he also added a pair of doubles and one home run. The aforementioned freshmen Abreu, Brantley and Pepe could also see time in the outfield. PITCHERS On the mound, the Seahawks return the bulk of their pitching staff with the lone exception being 2009 NEC Pitcher of the Year Matt Watson, who hurled a team-best 78.1 innings en route to a 4-5 record a year ago. Looking to fill Watson’s void is Lucas, who led the team with 45 strikeouts in just 56.1 innings of work while posting a 5.91 ERA a year ago. The hard-throwing righthanded pitcher matched Watson for the team-lead with four wins, highlighted by a 7.0 innings of one-run ball against Monmouth in the NEC Tournament. Looking to step into the No. 2 slot is righty Mark Holmes. The 6-7, 245 pound Holmes has struggled with injuries over his first two years but has packed on some muscle during the offseason while showing increased agility that has led to greater velocity this past fall. A year ago, he went 2-2 with 12 strikeouts, against just five walks, with an 8.74 ERA over 22.2 innings. Rounding out the returning starters are senior RHP Dale Hering, sophomore RHP Christian Rautenstrauch and junior RHP Ryan Van Spronsen. Hering went 4-1 with 27 strikeouts and a 4.79 ERA over 35.2 innings a year ago in his first season at Wagner after transferring to Grymes Hill from Rutgers. Rautenstrauch established himself as a weekend pitcher after matching Watson and Lucas for the team-lead in victories while posting a 4-2 record with 26 strikeouts and a 6.02 ERA over 40.1 innings of work. The North Carolina native also established a reputation as a big-game pitcher with victories over Seton Hall, St. John’s and NEC Tournament favorite Sacred Heart. Rounding out the top returning starting pitchers is Van Spronsen, who saw time as both a starter and a reliever a year ago. The Canadian native posted a tough 2-7 record with 43 strikeouts over 59.0 innings and was the recipient of some bad luck. He has the ability to overpower batters and is accurate around the plate. In the bullpen, Rice will again look to fill the role of left-handed specialist after pitching in 17 games a year ago, striking out 23. Sophomore Dakota Dvorak is expected to fill the set-up role after turning in a solid rookie campaign in which he appeared in 16 games while striking out 17 over 23.2 innings of work. Returning as the closer is All-NEC Second Team Selection and Tri-captain David Rees. The crafty lefthander morphed from a situational pitcher into one of the most dominant relievers in the league a year ago, posting a scant 2.37 ERA, which dropped to a microscopic 1.10 during league games. He made a school-record 30 appearances, recording six saves and 36 strikeouts over 38.0 innings of work. For his career, Rees, who was also an Academic All-American in 2010, has posted a 2.71 ERA with seven saves, 59 punchouts and a 2.71 ERA over 66.1 innings of work. Looking to crack the pitching rotation will be freshmen RHP Ryan Casey (Paramus, NJ / St. Joseph Regional), RHP Matt Gavin (St. James, NY / Smithtown East), LHP Matt Morris (Matawan, NJ / St. John Vianney), RHP Nick Pavia (Staten Island, NY / St. Joseph By The Sea), RHP Ryan Thompson (Doylestown, PA / Central Bucks East) and RHP Philip Weihn (Shrewsbury, MA / Clinton). Wagner will call Richmond County Bank Ballpark home again for the fourth-straight year. During that time the Seahawks have posted a 47-17 record, including a 31-11 mark during NEC play. This season the Green & White will play 21 games at the ballpark, highlighted by NEC match-ups with Mount St. Mary’s (3/17-3/19), defending NEC Tournament Champion Central Connecticut State (3/25-3/27), NEC Regular Season Champion Bryant (4/8-4/10) and Fairleigh Dickinson (5/6-5/8).
2011 Wagner College Baseball