2009 MASCAC Baseball Preseason Poll

When the going gets tough, the tough get going.  If it is one thing the Worcester State baseball team knows how to do, it's how to grit it out and win no matter the circumstances.  Coming off an incredible end of the season run which ended in a MASCAC Championship in 2008 and trip to the NCAA Division III New England Regional's, the 2009 Lancers are hungry to get back on the field for another chance at the conference crown.

Worcester State this year looks to be strong contenders with the loss of eight seniors which included 2008 MLB 40th round draft pick and All-New England first basemen Nate Nelson, as well as All-MASCAC selections Chris Logan and Chris Gusha. They begin their 2009 campaign with a strong host of new faces infused with young talent from last year's squad.

First team All-MASCAC honoree Joey Lucier (Brockton, MA) will look to lead the Lancers dominant pitching staff.  In an impressive sophomore season, Lucier led the MASCAC in both strikeouts (67) and innings pitched (71.2) while he also tied for third in opponents' batting average (.254) and finished fifth in ERA (3.27). 

He will be aided by fellow senior captains, Craig McBride (Attleboro, MA), Pat Good (Hull, MA) and Andy Cunningham (Leicester, MA).  McBride led the rotation with a 6-2 record, a 3.30 ERA and the second-most innings pitched (57.1) while Good will serve as the teams closer after leading the Lancers last season in appearances (17) and saves (3).  Cunningham will help stabilize the bullpen after he notched 23 strikeouts in 26 innings pitched. Cunningham may also spot start and spend some time in the lineup as a designated hitter.

Junior Mike Borowiec (Spencer, MA) looks make a statement in the starting rotation after coming back from Tommy John surgery that ended his season last year.  Sophomore Bob Devito (Webster, MA) will also be depended on after capping off an imposing freshman campaign after he led the team with a 3.05 ERA and opponents batting average (.242) while tossing 41.1 innings.

NCAA Division III New England Tournament Team member Ryan LaPrade (Leominster, MA) will be manning second base after collecting four homeruns, 24 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 2008.  The junior will be joined in the middle by sophomore shortstop Ryan Raleigh (Cranston, RI) who had a solid freshman campaign appearing in all 42 games for the Lancers last year.  Raleigh led the MASCAC among starting shortstops in fielding percentage (.932). His 10 miscues were only second in the conference a season ago.

Rounding out the infield will be sophomore Nick Fluegge (Ware, MA) who looks to take over first base responsibilities and he may also see some time in the lineup at DH as well. Junior transfer TJ Magnell (Leominster, MA) will be called on to play a crucial role at third or second or at shortstop after spending his first two years at Division I Bryant University. Junior Nick Dortona (Malden, MA) will also look for starting time at either corner infield positions.

The outfield has some very talented players all vying for a spot. Senior Matt Hart (N. Easton, MA) looks to once again patrol centerfield after batting .329 in 41 games for the 2008 season.  Hart also led the team in walks (21) and stolen bases (11). Hart could also see some time on the mound as a late inning option for the Lancers. Sophomore MASCAC tournament MVP Corey Abbascia (Shrewsbury, MA) looks to follow up on his stellar freshman season which saw him lead the team in hitting (.369) and nab 10 stolen bases.

Junior Nick Caparell (N. Attleboro, MA), freshman Jake Sanderski (Millbury, MA) and sophomore transfer Shane Coakley (Spencer, MA) will all compete for time in the outfield. Coakley was a local standout at Quinsigamond Community College after he led his team in batting average (.394), runs batted in (27) and doubles (13). He will also be looking for playing time as a DH.

The loss of Logan leaves a tremendous vacancy behind the plate for the Lancers. Sophomore Johno Hinkell (North Adams, MA) looks to start behind the dish as the lone experienced catcher. Hinkell batted a noteworthy .357 in 21 games in 2008.  Other players vying for playing time behind the plate are first-year classmates Ben Mullin (Burlington, MA) and Jack Rafferty (Thompson, CT).

Worcester State opens up their season with a double-header this Saturday against William Patterson followed by their annual pilgrimage down to Winter Haven in Florida the following week. Playing 10 games in nine days the trip features games against New Jersey power Rowan, last year's NESCAC runner-up Amherst and MIAC champion St. Thomas. WSC will open their conference slate with a double-header against Mass Maritime on March 28 at Assumption.

Story Written by Chris Gusha --- Worcester State College Athletics Graduate Assistant