2008 UMass Team Preview

Mascot: Minutemen

Location: Amherst, MA

Coach(s): Danny Barr

2007 Performance:

Record:

Overall: 16-5 North Atlantic Conference: 11-1
Finished first in the North Atlantic Conference with a #17 Ranking in the country

Notables:

Lost two tough games in Williamsport, PA in the Regionals to #1 Penn State and Lafayette.

Number of Returning Players:

11 returning players

Players to Watch:

SP: Billy LaVigne…6’1”, 170 lb...right-handed junior… Trying to continue the success he had in the 2007 season.

C: Brian Cammarata…5’11”, 180 lb...junior…Brian is looking to move out of his normal catching position and step up as a big-time pitcher.

OF: Jimmy Tatarzycki…5'11", 190 lb……a stellar outfielder, a solid bat, and a good closer in the bullpen

IF: Juan Cabrera…6'0", 175 lb junior…Juan brings a lot of speed and skill to any infield position he plays.

DH: Tyler Viera...6'0", 190 lb junior...Tyler is a hard hitting DH who drives in many runs with his clutch base hits.

Key Losses:

Dan Lambrecht

Billy Cahill

Keanan Mehra

Matt Siegel

Albert Couillard

Paul haines-Lapenta

Jason Stuart

Erick Parent

2008 Season Outlook:

The Minutemen look to defend their North Atlantic conference title and look to improve from last year’s team. The 11 returning players will have to play many leadership roles if UMass wants to repeat as Conference Champions. The team will fight to keep pace with the top teams in the conference like BU and UNH and hope to bring home another title.

Defense and Pitching will be the most important part to this team. The infield has already made major improvements from last year's team. The middle infield is young, but should play a big role in stopping any opposing rallies. The pitching should be solid with returning pitchers from last year that have experience pitching in “Big” game situations down the stretch.

Offensively, the Minutemen look to find a lineup that will work. The top of the lineup is filled with speed and contact hitters that will get into scoring position for the middle of the lineup. It’s a matter of finding someone who will step up and come up with the "big hits" when they are needed.

Manager Quote:

The team is filled with young talent which is led by a solid core of veterans. If everyone plays to their potential, this team will succeed and be better than last year's team that went to NCBA Regionals in Williamsport, PA.