Season Outlook
The Fords won the most games in Haverford history in 2008 while reaching the Centennial Conference Championship for the second time in three years. The goal for 2009 is to take the next step and win the conference title.
Senior captains Dean Laganosky, Chris Dooley and Evan Tibbetts will provide veteran leadership for a talented and relatively young squad.
“The quality of intangibles that the upperclassmen have will carry this team,” said head coach Dave Beccaria.
A two-time all-conference center fielder and arguably the best athlete in the Centennial Conference, Laganosky was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 45th round of the Major League Baseball draft last year. He returns to Haverford to finish his pre-med studies and continue his assault on the College’s record book. Laganosky currently holds the Fords’ single-season record for hits (55) and stolen bases (31) and ranks among the College’s career leaders in a number of offensive categories including batting average, slugging percentage, triples, runs scored and stolen bases and he will lead an aggressive offensive style of play.
Dooley, the team’s best defensive outfielder, hit .325 with 10 doubles, four home runs and 20 RBI while scoring 25 runs and stealing 14 bases in 2008. His two-run homer in the Centennial Conference semifinals last year helped to propel the Fords into the league championship for the second time in three years.
Tibbetts overcame an injury-plagued first two years to become a major contributor in left field in 2008. He hit .275 with eight doubles and 19 RBI while scoring 16 runs and swiping five bases last year.
“Playing in the Centennial Conference championship game was a valuable experience for our returning players and because of our youth, playing in that postseason environment will benefit us greatly this season,” believes Beccaria.
Sophomore Bobby Bailey, a key contributor in the outfield during his freshman campaign, is a very good athlete who will play an important role again in 2009. Sophomores Jeff Butera and Jake Alter worked hard to develop rapidly last year and will compete for more opportunities in the outfield this year.
Junior Robbie Crabtree returns at first base after he batted .319 with two home runs and 21 RBI in 2008.
Junior Jake Kaden and sophomore Louis DeRosa will be back at second base again this year. Kaden hit .278 with a homerun, six doubles, 25 runs scored and 10 stolen bases last year, while DeRosa hit .337 with 21 runs scored, 19 RBI and 16 stolen bases in his first collegiate season. DeRosa provided the game-winning single in the Centennial Conference semifinals that sent the Fords to the conference championship last year.
Sophomore Charlie Carluccio earned First-Team All-Centennial Conference honors at shortstop last year after hitting .372 with two home runs, 10 doubles, 24 RBI, 35 runs scored and 13 stolen bases. Carluccio also earned four wins and six saves last year as one of the key members of the Fords’ bullpen. Junior Jeff Rickert, who has shown a knack for clutch hitting, will continue his outstanding glove work at shortstop and will be used behind the plate again this year as well.
Senior Jamie Hollowell transitioned from shortstop to third base last year and showed great range at the hot corner while batting .295 with 12 RBI, 16 runs scored and nine stolen bases.
“Last year we made great improvements defensively and we expect that to continue this year,” Beccaria said.
Junior pitcher Stefan Pappius-Lefebvre earned honorable mention all-conference honors last year after posting a 7-2 record in 70 innings of work. He hurled two complete games, including a shutout, last year and will be the anchor of the starting rotation in 2009. Sophomore Colin Sarafin, who was 2-1 with 43 strikeouts in 53 innings last year, will be a part of the starting rotation again this year. Seniors Jason Miller and Joe Huttner and junior Ben Regan will continue to pitch significant innings out of the bullpen. Miller tied the college’s single-season record for appearances last year with 17.
“We have good depth on the mound to go along with guys that can win games,” said Beccaria.
Juniors Doug Edelman and Chris Maurice have worked hard to develop quickly and appear poised to assume larger roles on the mound this year. Junior Chase Kennedy and sophomore Dan Hochberg look to rebound from injuries to play important roles on the pitching staff.
Nine freshmen, who will compete to contribute right away, join the Fords in 2009.
The Fords face a tough schedule early on with a week long road trip to Georgia and North Carolina during spring break.
“This may be the most challenging schedule we’ve ever played,” said Beccaria. “We will be tested early, but it will prepare us for the rigors of the Centennial Conference.”
Despite the graduation of the winningest class in Haverford history, the Fords are excited about their prospects to contend for the Centennial Conference Championship in 2009.