Baseball Team Preview - First Colonial
Last season, First Colonial made it to the state semifinals for the second consecutive year, but for the second year in a row they lost; this time a 4-3 heart-breaker to Oakton. They also graduated a large group of seniors; including two pitchers, and their starting shortstop, centerfielder, and catcher. Defensively, a team's strength usually comes from the middle, so this year's batch of newcomers will play a large role in determining how the 2007 season pans out for the Patriots.
"We lost a lot of seniors," First Colonial coach Scott Stubbe explained. "But we have a core group of juniors that had to wait their turn for the last few years. We have lots of talent, just not as much experience."
For Coach Stubbe and the Patriots, much of this season success depends how well the newest batch of starters blend with last year's returning core.
Pitchers
Senior right hander Andy Berry is the team's ace, and according to Stubbe, "Has probably been the (team's) best pitcher the last two seasons". In fact, Berry was the starting pitcher for the last two state semifinals, and while not entirely his fault, the Patriots lost both those contests. During the off-season, he has joked with his coach that this year he wants to start in the state final. With an 8-1 record and a 2.68 ERA last season, Berry is primed for a great finish to his high school career. We will also be manning the outfield on his no-pitching days.
Sophomore Blake Boyce appears to be First Colonial's number two starter coming out of pre-season try-outs. The righty will also see plenty of action at first base when Berry is on the mound, and will also spend some time behind the plate.
Junior Justin Smith will get some starts as the staff lefty, and senior Zach Wolff will get some innings as well. Coach Stubbe has yet to decide whether or not the team will use a set closer.
Infield
The Patriots return three of four infield starters with Scott Davidson the front runner to take over at shortstop. The senior hit .291 with 13 RBI last season as the team's starting second baseman. Junior Garret Anderson will also take a crack at the shortstop job after hitting .267 last season as the First Colonial third baseman. Senior Bryan Moreira will likely start at either third or second, depending on who wins the shortstop job, and Boyce returns his .258 average at first. Senior Brock Willey will start for the first time at catcher, and adds a lefty bat to the Patriots line-up. Wolff and senior Jeramy Metheny will also be competing for infield spots.
Outfield
With a .470 average and 23 RBI Berry was a presence at the plate last season. When he's not on the mound, he will be shagging flies in the outfield grass. Seniors Travis Peszko and Adam McElhaney and juniors Smith and Max Fischetti will all be competing for time as well, and according to Stubbe, "A lot of guys can do the job defensively, it all depends on who is swinging the bats."
