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| Photo Credit: Adrienne Daley Photography Tom Tolan is the reigning ECC Player of the Year |
Coming off an 18-19 season with a first year Head Coach would generally signal for a rebuilding season. That is not the case, however, when you have a pitching staff that C.W. Post possess.
Head Coach Mike Gaffney, who is taking over for his father knows that the team will rely on their strong rotation.
“Definitely,” said Gaffney when asked if pitching will be their key. “In a wood bat conference with our arms, it will be our strength,” he added.
Gaffney will be leaning on the combination of Joey Arena and Jake DeCarli to pitch deep into games and dominate. DeCarli led the team in ERA last season with a microscopic 1.03 in 43.2 innings. He held the opposition to only 27 hits and 15 walks while striking out 48. He allowed only four extra base hits (all doubles) and the opponent AVG was .178. He started seven games and was an undefeated 3-0. Arena was not far behind. He compiled a 1.75 ERA over 61.2 innings. He was stingy with the hits as well–only 36 of them–which equates to a .172 AVG. The left-hander compiled 51 strikeouts.
They will be joined by Chris Anderson and James Long, to form a potent rotation. Long compiled a 3.20 ERA over 39.1 innings with 31 strikeouts.
The one aspect that will most likely determine the fate of the Pioneers will be the offense. Last season was a struggle. They compiled a team average of .230, with Tom Tolan as the only player to eclipse the .300 mark. They hit only five home runs, and posted a paltry .290 slugging percentage.
Gaffney knows those numbers will improve.
“It’s better than last year,” he said confidently. “Pretty much all the guys are returning. Only place to go is much. We knows there’s a lot of room for improvement. So far, the mental approach is much better. Guys know they can’t try to do too much,” he added.
The charge will be led by the aforementioned Tolan. He is the reigning ECC Player of the Year. He hit .361 with 16 RBI last year, while striking out only 13 times. He was named to the Baseball on the Island All-Long Island team for his statistics.
He will be joined by the likes of senior Vinny Iacono and Casey McKay to provide some punch in the lineup.
While the team has been picked to finish fifth in the ECC by the coaches, Gaffney knows that as long as you get into the playoffs anything can happen.
“We’re focused on getting to the conference playoffs, it doesn’t matter which seed,” he said. “Once you get there anything can happen. With our pitching, we can get hot and go on a five-game win streak.
“We’re looking to do some damage, usually the hottest team wins.”
The Pioneers will open up their season on February 28–weather permitting–at home against Franklin Pierce before traveling to Lantana, FLA for a five game tournament.
