Beavers feature offensive firepower
Sports Reporter
WASHBURN – The Beavers have struggled on the baseball diamond in recent years, but third-year coach Ben Goodwin is hoping for improvement in 2010.
As in past years, Washburn has a short bench to draw from, but Goodwin feels the team’s capability on offense should keep the Beavers competitive.
“Our bats will have to do a lot of talking, which they will be very capable of doing, for us to have a successful run at things this year,” Goodwin said.
Seniors Justin Howe and Trevor Pendexter are the leading returning players for the Beavers, with freshman Nick Bragg also expected to contribute right away.
Howe is a solid hitter and an excellent defensive catcher. Pendexter gets the nod in center field and was at or near the top in most offensive categories last season, while Bragg positively impacted both the soccer and basketball teams and Goodwin is looking for that to continue this spring.
The remainder of the starting nine includes Sal Viola, Chris Farley, Connor Fitzpatrick, Anthony Viola, Kyle McLaughlin and Andrew McLaughlin.
The team will miss Matt Howe and Sebastian Viola, who both pitched and were key players at other positions before graduating last spring. However, Bragg and Kyle McLaughlin will be called upon to lead the way on the mound. Also getting a chance to prove themselves as pitchers will be Sal and Anthony Viola, Pendexter, Justin Howe, Farley, Andrew McLaughlin, Zach Jackson and Mikey Forand.
Goodwin said that to help make up for the team’s inexperience with pitching, the Beavers will have to concentrate on playing “smart, error-free” defense.
The coach is grateful for the weather this spring and hopes that will be a positive for his squad entering the regular season.
“We are so fortunate just to be able to step on the field before our first game this year,” Goodwin said. “It has done wonders to our outfield practice alone being able to take fly balls other than in the gym or parking lot.”
The Beavers get their season under way Tuesday at home against Wisdom of St. Agatha. First pitch is scheduled at 4 p.m.
