(Photo Credit: St. John’s Athletics)
by Brianna Pace
Head Coach Ed Blankmeyer, now in his 22nd year, has his head held high walking into the 2017 season. With youth in the pitching staff and experience out on the field, St. John’s is ready to have a comeback year.
The level of experience is much higher this year as opposed to last year. Blankmeyer highlights the amount of experience the team has this year coming from the multitude of returning position players. Compared to last season, he says that he values the experience this season’s team has the most.
Mike Trout photographed for BodyArmor sports drink by Monte Isom
Blankmeyer likes his team’s chances this season, but he also says the conference is going to be good. He said that the lower level teams are getting better but he has confidence in his team. He said that he’s expecting a good season from the seniors this year. He wants his seniors to “stay with the concept of having fun” and focus on the current season, taking it one game at a time instead of getting distracted with their futures.
One thing which is still a bother to Blankmeyer is the bullpen. It took a hit losing such a strong player as Thomas Hackimer and Blankmeyer said that he still hasn’t figured out anyone to replace him. Right now, the plan is to cycle guys through that spot until someone establishes themselves. Until then the spot is up for whoever earns it.
Blankmeyer is most looking forward to the return of Michael Donadio (.315/.420/.452) and Troy Dixon. He expects great things from both players. He stated that Dixon ran out of gas last season but showed his true talents over the summer earning himself MVP of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. Blankmeyer trusts that Dixon can carry that into this season.
Donadio is looking to make program history this season by making the All-Big East first team for the fourth year. Blankmeyer cited Donadio’s consistency when voicing his confidence in the senior. “He’s a very good player, why not?”
Blankmeyer also had great things to say about plenty of other guys on the team including Jesse Beradi, Josh Shaw, and the pitching staff.
Berardi (2014 Carl Yastrzemski Award Winner) has a bright future ahead of him, according to the coach. Blankmeyer hopes Berardi can continue his progress this year, saying he’s already a great ball player who can move the baseball despite his age and size. Always a tremendous defender, he also added power to his game last season. He slashed .298/.394/.455 with five HR and 40 RBI while starting in all 54 games.
It’s no news that Shaw made a name for himself last year, earning Big East Freshman of the Year honors. Blankmeyer spoke of him as a clutch hitter with a competitive attitude. The coach only asks that Josh “just be Josh” going into this season, trusting the young star’s talent and drive.
With the loss of Hackimer, the youth of the bullpen is even more pronounced. Blankmeyer is asking his young pitchers to fill some big shoes. Nick Mondak, freshman lefty, is already expected to start one of the first games of the season. Blankmeyer is relying on the young talent to drive this team to another winning season. Blankmeyer noted that it all “starts with the guy on the bump.” If St. John’s wants to have a good season their going to have to put their faith in these young guys.
Blankmeyer’s philosophy is preparation, one game at a time, one pitch at a time. The coach isn’t concerned with anything expect for the absolute next thing that’s going to happen. He is preparing for the next game and he wants his players preparing for the next pitch. He isn’t even thinking past the first game right now and he isn’t letting anyone on the team think like that either. His only concern is the first game on the schedule.
With this ideology, he feels it’s easier to view every game as having the same value. Games in the beginning of the season are just as important as games in the middle and end of the season. With the one game at a time mentality, it’s easier to focus on that.
As for potential starters, the coach is juggling four pitchers to start the first four games. Those being Kevin Magee, Michael LoPresti, Ryan McAuliffe, and Nick Mondak. In terms of position players, Blankmeyer is going with “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
“Most of our veteran guys that are returning are going to start…our catcher is back, our third baseman is back, shortstop is back, second baseman is back, our first baseman is back and our entire outfield is back with the exclusion of Alex Caruso. They’re all going to start.”
