Season Outlook
The Fords finished 22-13 in 2007 after reaching the Centennial Conference championship series in 2006 and have their sights set on winning a conference title in 2008.
Senior returning captain Will Stafford will continue to provide leadership behind the plate for the Fords. An excellent receiver who handles the pitching staff with maturity and expertise, Stafford hit .333 with a homerun and 12 RBI last year. Seniors Steve Andelman and Jeff Lichtstein and sophomore Chase Kennedy return to compete for opportunities at first base. Andelman, a two-time all-conference outfielder, hit .358 with eight doubles and 21 RBI last year. Lichtstein, who has been a designated hitter and the team’s primary left-handed pinch hitter, continues to show that he’s ready for additional opportunities. Kennedy’s playing time was limited last year because of a shoulder injury, but he proved to be an excellent fielder who has tremendous power and potential at the plate.
Junior Jamie Hollowell will lead a talented corps of middle infielders that also includes sophomores Jeff Rickert and Jake Kaden. Hollowell battled through a hamstring injury to hit .449 and play solid defense at shortstop and second base. Rickert was outstanding in the field last year, making a number of spectacular defensive plays, and he also proved to be a clutch hitter as well. Kaden was the team’s most consistent defensive middle infielder in 2007, and he was among the Fords’ most productive offensive players for much of the year.
Senior Drew Wilcox split time between third base and leftfield last year while hitting .346 with four homeruns and 21 RBI. Wilcox, who had a number of big hits in 2007, will be the leading candidate to play third base this year.
Junior Dean Laganosky, a second team all-conference selection last year, will continue to play centerfield and be the team’s offensive catalyst. Laganosky set a new Haverford record for stolen bases in a season (31) last year while hitting .378 with three homeruns and 31 runs scored. Junior Chris Dooley has proven to be the Fords’ best defensive outfielder, and he appears ready to compete for a regular spot in the lineup. Seniors Steve Andelman, Drew Wilcox and Jeff Lichtstein will continue to compete for opportunities in the outfield in addition to their infield responsibilities. Junior Evan Tibbetts continues to show that he’s among the team’s best hitters, and sophomores Gabe Stutman and Doug Edelman worked hard to develop rapidly during their freshman campaign and appear ready to handle additional duties in the outfield.
Senior Donny Poster returns to lead the pitching staff. Poster was 2-2 in 31.1 innings as a starting pitcher in 2007. Junior Jason Miller, who had a terrific freshman season, looks to rebound from a challenging sophomore campaign. Sophomores Adam Lewis and Ben Regan-Sachs were bright spots in the team’s starting rotation from last year, and they will continue to be solid contributors on the mound in 2008. Senior Jeff Suell pitched very well in limited innings last year and appears ready to play a larger role on the pitching staff. Junior Joe Huttner was a solid middle reliever last year and will be competing for more opportunities in 2008. Sophomores Chase Kennedy, Doug Edelman and Chris Maurice developed quickly last year and will be relied upon for quality innings in the future. Despite graduating 12 players from last year’s team, the Fords are excited about their prospects to be a playoff team that contends for a Centennial Conference championship in 2008.