University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Look Forward to 2004 Campaign
2/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The UConn baseball team will have a new look to it in 2004 as head coach Jim Penders enters his first year in charge of the Husky program. Penders, who has been associated with the UConn baseball team as a student-athlete and an assistant coach in 11 of the past 13 seasons, takes over the reins from longtime Husky mentor Andy Baylock.
In addition to Penders, other "new faces" include the best recruiting class in the Northeast according to Collegiate Baseball magazine. The departure of first team 2003 All-BIG EAST first team selection Pete Soteropoulos and 2002 second team selection Brett Burnham will be difficult to overcome, but the Huskies do return their top six pitchers from last year. UConn and Penders hope that the experienced pitching staff carries the Huskies to their first postseason appearance in the last four years.
Pitchers
Like most other teams, the Huskies will go as far as their pitching takes them. Connecticut will welcome five new pitchers to the 2004 staff and returns eight arms that saw action in 2003. Sophomore Ryan Christopher saw 21 innings of action in 2003 but was unable to pitch in the fall season due to injury. Newcomer Ted Garry is a fearless lefty who throws strikes. Garry could be used in a situational role this season. Also a freshman, Kyle Henry showed poise and make-up beyond his years during the fall season and has the potential to become a quality starter sooner rather than later. Jeff Hourigan, a junior transfer from Clemson, showcased a low 90’s fastball and a good slider during the fall season. The coaching staff especially enjoyed his great tenacity and bulldog mentality on the mound.
Senior tri-captain Mike James comes into his final year as a Husky as the record holder for saves in a season (11) and in a career (22). James throws three pitches for strikes and may be called upon to start in 2004. He is a tough competitor with great make-up and has improved a great deal under first year pitching coach Dave Turgeon. The coaching staff is sure James will excel as either a starter or a closer. Josh MacDonald is healthy after redshirting the 2003 season and has recaptured the talent he displayed as a senior in high school when he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates. MacDonald’s performance in the fall season showed the coaching staff that they will have to make some very difficult decisions this season as MacDonald will compete for BIG EAST innings.
Sophomore Brendan McGinn registered a 1-0 record in eight appearances for the Huskies in 2003 and will see a lot of action this year. McGinn is coming off a strong summer league performance where he notched a tremendous strike out to walk ratio. Newcomer Pat MaGuire is coming off of Tommy John surgery and did not see action in the fall. Newcomer Jordan Maleh made the most of the 2003 season at UConn Avery Point and will provide depth on the mound and at first base. Freshman Josh Moore showed tremendous arm-strength and an exciting upside to the coaching staff this fall. Moore has worked hard to develop consistency in his delivery and his natural athletic ability is accelerating that process a great deal.
Sophomore Tim Norton made eight starts for the Huskies in 2003 and accumulated a 2-3 record. Norton improved in the fall as he and Turgeon worked to make Norton deliver the ball more downhill. Norton is big and durable with a great competitive edge and work ethic. Junior lefthander Keith Potvin will have to earn innings with key performances in relief. He will see some weekday starting assignments. Freshman Rich Sirois comes into UConn as a highly touted lefty with a good change and excellent control. Sirois saw limited action this fall due to injury. Sophomore Joe Smeraglino earned the second-best ERA on the team last year with a 3.38 mark and also recorded a 2-0 record. Smeraglino will be used in a setup or closer roll in 2004 and will be getting the ball frequently as he has the ability to throw three pitches for strikes. Junior Nick Tucci started 11 games in 2003 and finished three of them en route to earning a 4-6 record. Tucci showcases a plus-curveball and a change that has developed quite well. Tucci will eat up innings and compete hard as an experienced BIG EAST starter in 2004.
Catchers
Senior tri-captain Mike Leonard returns for his fourth year as the Husky catcher. Leonard is a strong defensive catcher who is one of the best in the conference at throwing runners out. Leonard will be relied upon to mentor the Husky pitching staff. Leonard will look to have a better offensive season in 2004 after hitting .294, and driving in 29 runs. Newcomer Larry Day will challenge for playing time behind the plate immediately in 2004 after a very impressive fall season. Day has good instincts and will improve his arm-strength and conditioning in 2004.
Freshman Phil St. Amant showed good arm-strength with some pop in his bat during the fall, but will serve an apprenticeship in 2004 as he looks to develop his receiving and leadership skills and begin to realize his vast potential. Finally, redshirt freshman Ben Greenspan will serve as the bullpen catcher in 2004. He is a quality receiver who is recovering from an unhealthy 2003. Ben is the son of Army Athletic Director Rick Greenspan.
Infielders
First Basemen — The Huskies have a few choices at first base. Freshman Nick DeVito was drafted out of high school by the Cincinnati Reds and has some raw power. DeVito will work to refine his approach and develop into a contributor. Hourigan will bat in the middle of the lineup after he improved at the plate this fall. He is a physical specimen who will make an immediate impact in the Husky lineup. Mike McDonough hit .317 for UConn in 2003, but shortened his swing in the off-season and developed into even more of a threat at the plate. McDonough is a solid fielder with good hands around the bag. Finally, Marc Peluso is the best defensive first baseman of the bunch and will see action as a late inning defensive replacement. Peluso is a lefty with the ability to hit to all fields and will find himself spot-starting at first and getting many pinch hitting assignments.
Second Basemen — Tri-captain Dave Tokarz is slated to begin the year as the Huskies’ starter at second base after batting .333 in 2003. Tokarz enjoyed an impressive fall campaign where he was one of the most consistent fielders and top hitters on the team.
Shortstop — Senior Mike Mocerino is one of the only players on the Huskies’ roster able to play shortstop. Mocerino is the only returning infielder on the ‘04 roster and will return to his natural position of shortstop after injuries forced him to play second base last season. Mocerino is a clutch performer at the plate who tied for the team-lead last season with seven home runs. He will be looked upon to bestow his experience on the Huskies’ youthful infield. Dennis Donovan has a good body and projects well for the future. He proved to the coaching staff that he was a step ahead of his freshman counterparts. He needs to improve his offensive game in order to see more time.
Third Basemen — Matt Untiet will begin the season as the Huskies’ lone freshman starter after showing great discipline at the plate and his defense improved drastically over the five week fall program. Untiet will need to master the position in order to fight off the competition. Patrick Feeney, Brian Maloney, and Garrett Walker could all see time at various infield spots this spring. Maloney took advantage of the Husky off season conditioning program and tapered his body into BIG EAST form.
Outfield
Left field — Junior Tony Mallozzi proved that he was one of the Huskies’ best offensive weapons during the fall. He creates havoc on the base paths and batted .368 in 2003. Mallozzi will find himself at or near the top of the lineup in 2004 and is a good defensive left fielder with a strong throwing arm.
Center field — Junior Russ D’Argento hit .323 with five homeruns and 25 RBI in 2003 and his bat will be in the lineup everyday as he will anchor the Husky outfield.
Right field — Sophomore Bryan Maler proved to the coaching staff that he should keep the right field position that he earned his freshman year after he hit .348 in 2003. He is a good defensive outfielder with power at the plate and handled BIG EAST pitching well last year.
Sophomore Tim Dempsey has fought through an injury plagued career at UConn and needs to stay healthy and consistent to get substantial playing time in 2004. Sophomore Kyle Messineo will push for playing time in the outfield and proved himself as a capable centerfielder in the fall season. He is a dangerous base runner with excellent speed and proved to be one of the most exciting players to watch during the fall. Freshman Steve Richard is a good all-around student-athlete who will provide depth in the Husky outfield.
