FIGHTING TIGER BASEBALL LOOKING FORWARD TO 2008 SEASON

Led by Head Coach Bill Makarowski, the SUNY Cobleskill baseball team is ready for the 2008 campaign. The Cobleskill skipper returns for his third season leading the Fighting Tigers after an 11-25 2007 season. With six returning players, Makarowski has worked hard in the off-season to replace several starters on defense and five pitchers who combined for over 200 innings on the mound. With one of the strongest recruiting classes in recent history there is much to be optimistic about for those who follow the Orange & Black.

The pitching staff will be the question mark for the Fighting Tigers this season. Cobleskill will rely heavily on freshman pitchers Matt Greene, Albany, NY, Colonie High School, and Tom Wiener, Montrose, NY, Hendrick Hudson High School, as the “one-two punch,” of the staff this season in the absence of returning senior starters.  Senior Matt Hansen, Southold HS, Southold, NY, a standout at third base last season will return this year to claim a spot in the rotation, and will also move across the infield to first base this year.

The pitching staff will be rounded out by the talented freshman class who will compete for rotation spots and innings led by lefty Tim Capitummino, Schenectady, NY, Niskayuna High School, as well as senior right-handed pitcher Dan Beck, Rotterdam, NY, Schalmont High School, righty rookie Joe Staunch, Freehold, NY, Greenville High School, and local product freshman Sebastian LaMountain, Cobleskill, NY, Cobleskill-Richmondville High School.

Senior Tristan Massalay-Ellis, Flushing, NY, John Bowne High School, is the only returning outfield starter for Cobleskill and will look to build on his first season which saw the athletic power hitter post a .301 batting average to go with 28 rbi. Rookie Tim Capitummino, when not hurling, will be covering centerfielder and providing exceptional speed on the bases.

The infield will be anchored by freshman Chris Pietrowski, Cobleskill, NY, Cobleskill-Richmondville High School, at third base and the combination of Joe Staunch and Sebastian LaMountain shortstop with freshman Matt Rutherford, Valhalla HS, Valhalla, NY, manning second base. Matt Hansen will hold down first base providing power from the right side of the plate and will be spelled from time to time by Tom Wiener.

The catching duties will fall to the talented hands of freshmen Nate Shelton, Walton, NY, Walton High School, and duo of back-ups including senior lefty swinger Matt Guerrido, Goshen, NY, Warwick Valley High School, and freshman Ray Newbauer, Bainbridge, NY, Bainbridge-Guilford High School.

Designated hitter duties will go to projected cleanup hitter senior Nick Poleto, Colonie, NY, Colonie High School, who will provide a big bat in the middle of the order. During the 2007 campaign Poleto pounded out nine extra-base hits while driving in 24 runs for the Fighting Tigers.

The team will open the 2008 season on Sunday March 9th in Port Charlotte, FL when they meet Itasca Community College for a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 PM