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| The Southern Maine Huskies will take a swing at a DIII World Series title in 2023, their first since 1997. Southern Maine athletics photo by Cullen McIntyre |
By Joshua Kummins
for D3baseball.com
Region 2 looks to be mighty strong across all of its conferences, containing the defending national champions from Eastern Connecticut State and a host of other prominent programs.
Eastern lost a lot from a national title-winning club that went without a loss after the last week of April, so the door could be open for another Little East team like Southern Maine, Rhode Island College or UMass Boston to seize the crown back.
The CCC features a super duo at the top between reigning NCAA Super Regional participant Endicott and another tournament team in Salve Regina. The same can be said for rivals Mitchell and New England College entering the final year of the NECC.
Bridgewater State is the defending MASCAC champion with a load of talent, while Brandeis looks to put together another strong year in the always competitive UAA.
There is a lot to be excited about in the second New England-based region.
New Faces
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| Mike Odenwaelder will have the challenge of defending the Natiopnal Title in his first year as head coach. ECSU athletics photo |
Mike Odenwaelder, Eastern Connecticut State: With Brian Hamm off to Division 1 Yale following Eastern’s national championship, Odenwaelder will take over the Warriors after spending the past season as an assistant at another Ivy League program, Dartmouth. The two-time NESCAC Player of the Year for Amherst also served as assistant at his alma mater, working alongside Hamm and current Mammoths leader J.P. Pyne.
Ryan McIntosh, Plymouth State: McIntosh has been a part of the Panthers since 2011, first as a student-athlete, then as an assistant for Dennis McManus and Clay Jenkins, and now moving into an interim head coaching role for the 2023 season. He was coaching the offense for Jenkins, who had led Plymouth for the previous seven years.
Andrew Gummow, Salem State: Gummow was elevated to the interim role after Jason Falcon left for RPI just before the start of the preseason. A four-year catcher and former captain at Keene State, Gummow is currently the head coach and catching coach for the Vikings Baseball travel program.
Justin Kelley, Wentworth: After serving as an assistant at nearby UMass Boston since the fall of 2019, Kelley joined the Leopards in February. The Massachusetts native also has experience as a MLB scout, at Northeastern University, and served as pitching coach for the NECBL’s North Shore Navigators. Steve Studley had previously served the program for 18 seasons.
Phil Price, Worcester State: The Worcester native takes over the Lancers who were led by Dirk Baker for the last 27 years. Price is the founder and President of Baseball Operations for Evolution Baseball, one of the top travel programs in Massachusetts based out of nearby West Boylston.
Key Games
New England College at Mitchell (March 25): The NECC regular season begins with the Pilgrims visiting New London, Conn. What better way to kick it off than a showdown between the two teams atop the table? The sites will also reverse for an Apr. 15 doubleheader in New Hampshire.
Wheaton at Rhode Island College (March 30): By this date, the Anchormen will have just been coming off their first Little East set of the season. There will be plenty of time for resume building in April, but this is a good-looking contest between nearby non-conference foes.
Salve Regina at Endicott (April 1): A clash of the best in the CCC takes place in Beverly, Mass., where Endicott hosted the NCAA Super Regional late last season. The Gulls and Seahawks both aspire to reach that point in 2023.
Southern Maine at Eastern Connecticut (April 15): Eastern is the defending national champion until it gets taken down, but the Little East coaches have tabbed Southern Maine as their preseason favorite. This doubleheader in Mansfield between the last two conference titlists could be important.
New England College vs. Keene State (April 23): Before the home stretch of the NECC and Little East slates, the two Granite State-based teams are scheduled to meet at Manchester’s beautiful Delta Dental Stadium, the home of the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
Eastern Connecticut at UMass Boston (May 5): The Little East regular season concludes with the Warriors playing a twinbill in Boston, where the Beacons will be looking to add to their run of three straight conference crowns from 2017-19.
Bridgewater State vs. Westfield State (May 5-6): Bridgewater is the new MASCAC leader in the clubhouse, but it will likely have to finish the regular season strong against a strong challenger if it wants to keep the crown.
Conference Previews
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| Kyle Grabowski and the rest of the Gulls have high expectations with a veteran team in 2023. Endicott athletics photo |
Commonwealth Coast Conference: After reaching the NCAA Super Regional on its home field in 2022, Endicott (40-10) will essentially be able to run it back with the same roster. The Gulls return a pair of Preseason All-American outfielders in senior Caleb Shpur (.348, 11 HR, 13 2B, 2 3B, 57 RBI, 14 SB) and junior Nic Notarangelo (.347, 15 2B, 3 3B, 13 HR, 60 RBI), but the list of veterans feels nearly endless. Junior pitcher Nick Cannata (6-0, 2.93 ERA, 62 K, 67.2 IP), catcher John Mulready (.340, 10 2B, 12 HR, 37 RBI) and second baseman Dylan Pacheco (.366, 6 2B, 4 3B, 8 HR, 40 RBI) were all first-team All-CCC selections for the historic 2022 club. Senior first baseman Jake Nardone (.318, 11 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR, 56 RBI) also hit above .300. Junior Kyle Grabowski (.277, 10 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 38 RBI) and graduate outfielder Joseph Millar (.278, 13 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 34 RBI) round out the infield and outfield, respectively. Senior southpaw Gabe Van Emon (8-1, 2.74 ERA, 87 K, 72.1 IP), Ian Parent (3-0, 2.44 ERA, 32 K, 44.1 IP) and graduate reliever Max Tarlin (6-3, 7 SV, 2.79 ERA, 38 K, 38.2 P) are other key pitchers at both ends of the staff.
There is no reason why Salve Regina (30-12-2) won’t be able to remain Endicott’s closest competitor in the conference. The Seahawks bring back eight positional starters from another NCAA tournament-level club, giving coach Eric Cirella the most depth in the program’s history. Junior middle infielder Michael Breen (.378, 8 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 13 SB) was a top All-CCC performer during an injury-shortened year. Senior first baseman Tyler Cannoe (.335, 10 2B, 9 HR, 41 RBI, 10 SB) and junior outfielder Brandon Grover (.301, 5 2B, 6 HR, 41 RBI, 10 SB) add power. Designated hitter Sean O’Malley (.373, 3 HR, 13 RBI) and second baseman Dustin Siqueira (.312, 7 2B, 2 HR, 29 RBI, 14 SB) return as grad students. Senior third baseman Wil McCarthy (.344, 8 2B, 3 HR, 22 RBI), outfielder Matt D’Amato (.269, 9 2B, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 11 SB) and junior outfielder Tyler Petrosino (.289, 10 2B, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 11 SB) also get ready for another season. Talented arms Dominic Perachi (drafted by Pittsburgh), Andrew Roman (transferred to Boston College) and Patrick Maybach (graduated) are gone, leaving junior Brayden Clark (6-2, 2.83 ERA, 63 K, 60 IP) and senior Graham Jeffries (1-2, 6.27 ERA, 49 K, 33 IP) at the helm of the staff.
Roger Williams (27-11-2) returns seven starting position players and two pitchers following the best season in program history, one that began with a 10-game win streak. Senior outfielder Christopher Flynn (.322, 12 2B, 3 3B, 9 HR, 42 RBI) and pitcher Dan Massaro (4-3, 6.14 ERA, 43 K, 44 IP) are the top Hawks flying back to play under third-year coach Kevin Kelley. Endicott isn’t the only CCC team returning a Preseason All-American as sophomore designated hitter Harry Painter (.403, 14 2B, 2 3B, 12 HR, 47 RBI) paces the Suffolk (23-20) offense. The Rams’ entire outfield of senior Marc Birbiglia (.295, 5 2B, 5 3B, 2 HR, 27 RBI), junior Joe Ward (.297, 12 2B, 1 3B, 7 HR, 45 RBI, 42 R, 13 SB) and senior Luke Harder (.366, 14 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 44 RBI, 16 SB) landed on All-CCC squads a year ago, as did second baseman Garret Roberts.
Nichols (19-21-1) expects to be a powerful offensive club with the likes of junior outfielder Brennan Hyde (.265, 8 2B, 6 HR, 32 RBI) and second baseman Johnny Knox (.268, 8 2B, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 12 SB) leading the way. Senior catcher Ben Jerome (.292, 4 2B, 7 RBI) is also healthy after missing most of last season due to injury. Freshman Will Nath hit .349 with 10 RBI in Jerome’s absence. The Bison will be young on the mound, where sophomores Clark Churchill (0-0, 7.45 ERA, 16 K, 19.1 IP) and Sean Ryan (2-3, 7.03 ERA, 42 K, 39.2 IP) are slated to be starters. Western New England (19-20-1) has key pieces in the fold again as it aims to tick above the .500 mark, including the CCC’s 2022 Rookie of the Year CJ Willis (.398, 11 2B, 14 HR, 48 RBI, 11 SB) playing first base. Junior third baseman Cody Waterbury (.317, 9 2B, 3 HR, 24 RBI) adds to the Golden Bear lineup at the other corner. Senior center fielder Sean Jamieson (.286, 10 2B, 3 HR, 21 RBI) and second baseman Paul Villeco (.242, 2 2B, 3 HR, 22 RBI) are also coming off productive years as run producers. Graduate student Kevin Hummer (5-2, 2.86 ERA, 50 K, 63 IP) and sophomore Matt Laura (5-4, 3.71 ERA, 31 K, 53.1 IP) lead the pitching staff.
The three remaining teams look to climb in the standings, two of which have new coaches. Curry (15-21) is led by senior outfielder Connor Hanlon (.308, 8 2B, 3 HR, 15 RBI). The Colonels also have senior Cameron Herndon (0-0, 2 SV, 2.53 ERA, 18 K, 21.1 IP) ready to contribute in the bullpen, while Conor Quinlan (2-5, 5.85 ERA, 40 K, 40 IP) emerged as a key option as just a freshman. Tad Skelley inherits two the top contributors for Gordon (9-27) in All-CCC second-team senior designated hitter Shane Demers (.327, 10 2B, 4 HR, 23 RBI) and sophomore shortstop Jonathan McIntyre (.341, 8 2B, 7 RBI, 7 SB). Under new skipper Justin Kelley, Wentworth (13-18) rounds out the league after finishing with its most wins since 2018 last season. Senior Brandon Sullivan (4-3, 7.60 ERA, 55 K, 45 IP) and junior Brodi Farinas (4-4, 1 SV, 4.97 ERA, 53 K, 54.1 IP) are the top arms for the Leopards, who also welcome junior outfielder Christian Peruzzi (.288, 7 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 20 RBI) back to the lineup
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| Rhode Island College's 29 wins in 2022 were a record high for the Anchormen. Rhode Island College athletics photo |
Little East Conference: For the first time since 2008, the New England region is home to the team atop of the Division 3 landscape. There will be plenty of newness at Eastern Connecticut (49-3) as compared to the Warriors team that won 23 consecutive games on the way to the program’s fifth-ever national championship in June, but new head coach Mike Odenwaelder does have a Preseason All-American in senior Matt Malcom (.351, 11 2B, 10 HR, 57 RBI, 53 R, 11 SB) behind the dish back to lead the offense. Senior shortstop Zach Donahue (.327, 12 2B, 1 HR, 36 RBI, 55 R, 13 SB) and second baseman Noah Plantamuro (.304, 3 2B, 25 RBI, 34 R) are both returning All-Little East players whose importance will increase without numerous key players from 2022. Junior Nolan Lincoln (6-0, 3.19 ERA, 23 K, 31 IP) is the top pitcher back from a staff that led the nation with a 2.91 ERA and 1.16 WHIP last season.
Rhode Island College (29-10-1) climbed up to the No. 2 spot in the standings and returns a team with plenty of experience and depth. First baseman Daniel Trzepacz (.406, 14 2B, 7 HR, 50 RBI) leads a loaded lineup following 2022 Little East Rookie of the Year honors. Junior Cal Parrillo (.430, 14 2B, 7 HR, 52 RBI, 7 SB) and senior outfielder Joey Coro (.382, 11 2B, 8 HR, 49 RBI, 19 SB) were also among the conference’s best players at their positions. Juniors Cameron Santerre (.392, 13 2B, 7 HR, 31 RBI, 34 SB) and Sean Helfrich (.321, 7 2B, 6 HR, 33 RBI) complete a talented outfield. Despite losing Little East Pitcher of the Year Andrew Sears as a transfer to local Division 1 power UConn, the Anchormen have another ace in the hole in senior reliever Shaun Gamelin (1-0, 3 SV, 3.14 ERA, 66 K, 28.2 IP). Senior Connor Davey (6-3, 5.93, 49 K, 57.2 IP), junior Terry Murray (5-2, 3.95 ERA, 51 K, 54.2 IP) and sophomore Harrison Mansfield (2-0, 6.11 ERA, 25 K, 17.2 IP) are in the expected rotation.
Senior third baseman Drew Metzdorf (.342, 14 2B, 4 3B, 10 HR, 41 RBI, 27 SB) leads a UMass Boston (26-17) team that also boasts plenty of familiar power. The Beacons have an extremely strong infield group including senior shortstop Gianni Zarrilli Jr. (.281, 11 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 28 RBI), junior second baseman Aidan Blake (.311, 11 2B, 6 3B, 6 HR, 34 RBI, 10 SB) and graduate catcher Craig Corliss (.304, 14 2B, 3 HR, 42 RBI). Junior outfielder Luke Leavitt (.407, 21 RBI, 17 SB) came on as the best hitter for average on the entire team. There is a major gap to fill on the mound after the Toronto Blue Jays drafted ace and national K/9 leader Alex Amalfi, but Dillon Ryan (2-3, 4.80 EA, 66 K, 50.2 IP) and Tim Cianciolo (3-1, 6.35 ERA, 50 K, 45.1 IP) make up a great senior duo. Sophomore Ross Dexter (2-1, 3.05 ERA, 29 K, 20.2 IP) will slide into the rotation, while graduate Josh Eastman (1-1, 7 SV, 4.28 ERA, 35 K, 27.1 IP) leads the bullpen.
It has been several years since Southern Maine (23-19) was the coaches’ choice to win the conference, but that is where the Huskies stand entering venerable skipper Ed Flaherty’s 38th season. All-Region designated hitter Arlo Pike (.345, 11 2B, 7 HR, 34 RBI) packs a punch in the middle of the lineup and will be joined by Cam Seymour (.266, 11 2B, 6 HR, 32 RBI; 1-0, 3 SV, 1.47 ERA, 21 K, 18.1 IP), the 2021 New England and Little East Rookie of the Year with a rare catcher/pitcher toolbox. On the mound, junior Bryce Afthim (4-3, 2.36 ERA, 55 K, 61 IP) has been the latest in an incredible line of USM workhorses and looks to follow up an NECBL All-Star summer. Senior Jason Komulainen (.329, 12 2B, 3 HR, 31 RBI) is an All-Little East catcher. UMass Dartmouth (18-23-1) has consistently been a competitive ballclub and has a core to build around with the likes of All-Little East senior outfielder Andrew Bryant (.415, 6 2B, 11 HR, 34 RBI), third baseman DJ Perron (.362, 13 2B, 3 3B, 9 HR, 45 RBI) and junior designated hitter Jared Neikam (.314, 9 2B, 2 HR, 16 RBI).
Plymouth State (14-26) is stocked with all nine of its positional starters including junior outfielder Luke Sokolski (.306, 12 2B, 6 HR, 37 RBI), senior first baseman Griffin Crane (.282, 7 2B, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 9 SB). Interim head coach Ryan McIntosh also welcomes back a starting duo on the mound with senior Bobby Cliche (2-6, 6.00 ERA, 61 K, 57 IP) and junior Trey Parker (4-4, 4.96 ERA, 44 K, 52.2 IP). Coach Ted Shipley believes his team at Castleton (12-21-1) is one that can compete for a conference title. Senior third baseman Reece de Castro (.372, 12 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 30 R) is the most experienced Spartan and has a previous all-conference resume, and designated hitter Evan Keegan (.265, 9 2B, 2 HR, 24 RBI) is coming off being the team’s top run producer. Senior Riley Orr (3-6, 6.91 ERA, 39 K, 56 IP) and junior Aubrey Ramey (1-1, 3.69 ERA, 25 K, 31.2 IP) were two of the top three arms in terms of innings last year.
Western Connecticut (9-17) hopes for another productive season out of second-team All-Little East designated hitter Nicholas Moeller (.433, 6 2B, 4 HR, 17 RBI), a catcher/first baseman who earned the honor as a true freshman. Keene State (6-28) expects to have a greatly improved team under second-year head coach Justin Blood. Sophomore outfielder Wyatt Daft (.301, 3 2B, 10 RBI, 7 SB) was the best hitter last season, while senior two-way player Josh Beayon (.272, 6 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 21 RBI; 11 K, 20 IP) turned a corner as the spring progressed and should be a staple in the middle of the lineup again. The Owls have redshirt junior Brendan Muhs (2-6, 6.02 ERA, 40 K, 46.1 IP) and sophomore Phil Nichols (1-6, 6.02 ERA, 39 K, 46.1 IP) back on the mound.
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| Bridgewater State earned a spot in the 2022 NCAA Playoffs for the first time in ten years. Bridgewater State athletics photo |
Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference: After sweeping the MASCAC regular-season and tournament titles for the first time since 2012, Bridgewater State (30-15) returns the entire pitching staff that threw nine shutouts and should be strong favorites again. Graduate students Matt Josselyn (7-2, 1.77 ERA, 69 K, 71.1 IP) and 2021 MASCAC Pitcher of the Year David Kerns (8-0, 2.83 ERA, 67 K, 70 IP) will still lead the way on the mound. Senior Matt Seavey (7-3, 1.89 ERA, 62 K, 66.2 IP) completes the trio of seven-game winners. Greg Zackrison’s club also boasts junior right fielder Jay Wladkowski (.391, 18 2B, 1 HR, 46 RBI, 46 R, 21 SB) and sophomore second baseman Scott Emerson (.353, 8 2B, 1 3B, 32 RBI, 45 R, 31 SB), who were the 2022 MASCAC Player and Rookie of the Year, respectively. Junior shortstop Kevin Lindsay (.333, 9 2B, 2 3B, 18 RBI, 18 SB) and senior first baseman Joey Molis (.275, 7 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 27 RBI) are two other key positional veterans. When the aforementioned pitchers exit the game, the Bears have a strong stable of relievers that includes senior Tyler Medeiros (1-2, 7 SV, 3.44 ERA, 17 K, 18.1 IP).
Four-time tournament champion Westfield State (24-16) should have a mix of its old guard of players and impact newcomers as it looks to bounce back from finishing second but going 0-2 in last year’s postseason. Outfielder Sam Palmer (.402, 6 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 22 RBI) was one of just three freshmen to grab All-MASCAC first-team honors and will make an impact at the plate alongside graduate Ethan Day (.317, 9 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 34 RBI) and junior catcher Nolan Florence (.304, 6 2B, 1 3B, 8 HR, 31 RBI). Junior Ryan Donahue (5-1, 3.57 ERA, 62 K, 58 IP) and senior Ryan Robidoux (3-4, 6.49 ERA, 32 K, 34.2 IP) are the Owls’ top arms. Junior pitcher Ryan LaPierre and infielder Dan Burnett should play big roles as newcomers.
Massachusetts Maritime (25-17) and Salem State (23-19) both finished above .500 and played strong in the middle of the league race last season. Reigning MASCAC Pitcher of the Year Brodey Tinkham (7-3, 1.76 ERA, 49 K, 71.2 IP) headlines the Buccaneers’ rotation, while junior third baseman Brett Velzis (.311, 8 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 25 RBI) and sophomore relief pitcher Brenden Baiardi (1-1, 7 SV, 3.00 ERA, 18 K, 15 IP) also earned top All-MASCAC honors. For the Vikings, junior second baseman Jake Boucher (.331, 11 2B, 1 3B, 19 RBI, 31 R) was an All-MASCAC second-team honoree. The other veteran ace in the league is Worcester State (19-19) southpaw Ben Smith (3-1, 0.90 ERA, 50 K, 50 IP), who finished his junior campaign as the NCAA statistical champion for ERA. Framingham State (11-27) welcomes back a key slugger in junior outfielder Ryan Boyle (.382, 7 2B, 6 HR, 26 RBI), the All-MASCAC first-team designated hitter last season.
MCLA (11-27) looks to climb up the standings with senior outfielder Austin Rachiele (.313, 6 2B, 5 3B, 10 RBI, 32 R) topping what is expected to be an experienced lineup. Classmate Randy Adams was the second-team All-MASCAC utility player last season. The regular-season champ during the COVID-shortened 2021 season, Fitchburg State (10-30), will be an extremely young team with only a pair of four-year players on the roster. Senior catcher Vincent Eramo (.400, 10 2B, 1 3B, 7 HR, 34 RBI) is the most experienced Falcon and sits 34 RBI away from the program’s career record. Shawn Manfredo could possibly send out four freshmen on the mound, but LT Pare provides a much-needed veteran presence as a Division 1 transfer from Merrimack College.
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| The New England Collegiate Conference coaches selected defending champions Mitchell to take home the 2023 crown in the NECC Baseball Preseason Poll with all but one of the first place votes. Mitchell athletics photo |
New England Collegiate Conference: Mitchell (31-13) begins the new year with most of the team that won a regional game and now seeks the program’s third straight and ninth-ever championship in the final year of the conference. First baseman Bo Yaworski (.393, 13 2B, 5 HR, 44 RBI, 42 R) is back after claiming the NECC Rookie of the Year honors alongside his brother Hunter, who is the team’s lone key graduate. The return of a healthy senior outfielder Dougie DelaCruz (.250, 11 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 32 RBI) will be huge for a Mariner lineup that also includes All-NECC third baseman Lelo Martinez (.383, 9 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 37 RBI, 45 R, 11 SB) and catcher Matt Falk (.320, 8 2B, 9 HR, 35 RBI). The experience doesn’t drop off on the mound, where Chris Gibbs (5-0, 2.94 ERA, 51 K, 49 IP) emerged as a freshman and earned an All-NECC honor. Seniors Eddie Kaftan (5-3, 3.66 ERA, 36 K, 46.2 IP), Cam Varney (5-3, 5.53 ERA, 66 K, 57 IP) and Ryan Solimine are also in the rotation. An All-New England arm in 2019, Solimine was injured last season.
Despite featuring just four teams, this conference race is always interesting as New England College (24-16) will compete again with a veteran club of its own. Led by 2022 NECC Coach of the Year Terry Doyle, the Pilgrims return Preseason All-American right-hander Shayne Audet (3-2, 1.61 ERA, 79 K, 50.1 IP) and the reigning NECC Player of the Year in junior catcher JD Normand (.340, 10 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 28 RBI). The offense also returns All-NECC sophomore shortstop Brady Philibotte (.268, 9 2B, 2 HR, 23 RBI) and senior third baseman Devin Parsons (.317, 3 2B, 1 3B, 14 RBI), while senior outfielder Luca Giallongo (.299, 9 2B, 7 RBI, 12 SB) was an All-Futures League performer over the summer.
Eastern Nazarene (21-19-1) returns what coach Chris Shank believes to be his deepest and most talented roster while also bringing in 12 freshmen and three transfers. The Lions have All-NECC arm Jon Tessier (7-2, 2 SV, 3.32 ERA, 65 K, 81.1 IP) back atop a pitching rotation that features five veteran starters. Graduate Morgan Weast (6-4, 3.80 ERA, 65 K, 66.1 IP) and sophomore Spencer Boynton (6-3, 4.06 ERA, 74 K, 57.2 IP) both won six games in 2022. Shank expects All-NECC utility player Shane McNamara (.314, 10 2B, 4 3B, 7 HR, 33 RBI, 8 SB) to start at third after he helped the Nashua Silver Knights win the Futures League title last summer. Outfielder Tyler Bean (.384, 9 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 10 SB) broke out as an all-conference player as a freshman. Rounding out the conference, Lesley (14-25-1) shortstop Drew Gryniewicz (.412, 8 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 13 RBI) won the batting title as a freshman.
University Athletic Association: Brandeis (18-16) graduated all three of its 2022 All-UAA players, including the All-New England duo of first baseman Mike Khoury and outfielder Dan Frey, as well as its top pitcher. The Judges will look to senior infielder Brian King (.300, 10 2B, 3 HR, 29 RBI) and outfielder Steven Simon (.320, 7 2B, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 27 R) to replace some of the missing offensive load. Senior Asher Kaplan (1-2, 5.68 ERA, 30 K, 44.1 IP) threw more innings than any returnee a year ago.