By Frank Aimetti – STAFF WRITER
After a disappointing 20-24 season last year, Pride baseball is back and set to stake their position in the CAA playoffs.
Despite being projected to finish 7th in the CAA in the preseason Coaches’ Poll, the Pride is confident they can start making waves this season. The attitude among players and coaches was very upbeat and they seemed to be relishing their underdog status.
Coach John Russo, now entering his fourth season as head coach, is confident that the team will bounce back from its worst overall campaign since he took over the program.
He didn’t necessarily think that the Pride’s record last season indicated their level of play, suggesting that only a few minor tweaks were needed to make this season a successful one.
The Pride will receive a huge boost from shortstop Dalton Rouleau who is returning after two injury-plagued seasons and ready to make an impact. Dalton, named an honorable mention to the preseason all-CAA team, stated that health wouldn’t be an issue this year.
The departure of two-time all-CAA Defensive Player of the Year Matt Ford will undoubtedly be tough on the Pride, but Coach Russo believes it is an incredible opportunity for Dalton to step up and fill the void.
“Dalton Rouleau was out injured and I think he can pick up what Matt did defensively and be even better offensively than Matt was,” Coach Russo said. “Losing Dalton two years in a row to injury has been a huge factor to us and so getting a full season of health from him would be great.”
Coach Russo also indicated Adam Heidenfelder and Chris Bonk and others as newcomers that were bound to make an impact.
“We’re going to have a new team and a new brand of characters,” said Coach Russo.
Joining Rouleau in the infield is sophomore Brad Witkowski, coming off of an impressive freshman season where he batted .330. He mentioned how hard it was to watch the team struggle despite an impressive personal season.
“It’s not a personal game; every player matters. You can’t go out and win the game by yourself,” Witkowksi said. “It’s a team effort, and you need the whole team.”
Pitcher and designated hitter Brian MacDonald faces a unique and challenging role with the team. He has to excel both as a pitcher and hitter, two positions that require completely different mentalities.
MacDonald’s power-hitting ability made him a centerpiece of the Pride lineup. His four starts and seven appearances in relief show that, despite his varying role, MacDonald was able to make an impact wherever necessary.
“I like the pressure it brings. Having to do both is very hard, having to focus on both, [and] going from one to other in a game, but it’s a definitely a challenge I like to accept and, you know, I’m proud of it,” MacDonald said. “It’s definitely an adjustment.”
Pitcher Nick Kozlowski enters this season off a six-win campaign in 2014, one that tied him for the third-best win total in Pride history. Kozlowski didn’t hesitate to pick endurance as an area for improvement to ensure a successful season.
“Six wins was good but I kind of tailed off at the end last year,” Kozlowski said. “I think endurance-wise and just building my strength up and withstanding it throughout the season is my biggest goal.”
The almost-unanimous goal from the players was a spot in the CAA playoffs. Kozlowski hoped they could take it even further.
“CAA playoffs for sure, we strive for that, and you know, that leads us to a regional and from there on out, we’ll take it as it comes,” said Kozlowski.
The Pride season opens up with a three-game series in Los Angeles, California against UCLA from Feb. 13-15.
