2008 SEASON PREVIEW

Preseason Shows Promise

 Although the opener against Tufts University is months away, the 2008 Wolverine baseball team has already begun preparation for its always-challenging and always-unpredictable season.  With roughly half of the final roster of players involved in the fall program, it does provide Coach Brad Smith with a snapshot of what to expect come springtime.  Early indications point to a strong pitching staff.   Zack Aquistapace (Rutland, VT), Andrew Cimino (Cumberland, ME), Ryan D'Arcy (Sharon, MA), Paul Desenberg (Corpus Cristi, TX), Steve Meixner (Norristown, PA), Matt Aruda (Hingham, MA), and Kyle Mullins (Naples, ME) will be the core of what hopes to be a deep and talented pitching staff.   Unfortunately, Coach Smith will have to wait for both the fall and winter seasons to end to get his full complement of players.  Those waiting in the wings include outfielders Josh Sundquist (Windham, ME), Cleo Cooper (Raleigh, NC), Asim Hicks (Newark, NJ), and Jamie Sisk (Severna Park, MD).   Infielders will include Travis L'Heureux (Berlin, NH), Steve Bittel (Bristol, CT), Nick Haag (South Grafton, MA), Chip Rodenbush (Foxboro, MA), Byron Reding (Darien, CT), Jeff Barnes (Rehoboth, MA), Gavin Gaiser (West Seneca, NY), and Kevin Pickette (Burlington, MA).  The catching chores will be split between Joe Romanick (Slidell, LA) and Josh Leibowitz (Rockville, MD).

The 2007 Wolverines finished in a flurry, winning seven of their last nine games, including a six-game MAISAD conference sweep, notching their eighth regular season championship in the past nine years under Coach Smith.  While not making any preseason predictions, Coach Smith has the right to feel optimistic based upon what he has seen so far, saying,  "If the pieces come together, we could have a very interesting season."