WILLIAMSTOWN -- After a 6-14 season, Mount Greylock baseball head coach Steve Messina will have no problem finding experience when he looks to his roster. The Mounties only lost three players to graduation and have a slew of young players that already have a year of seasoning under their belt.
"We are still young, but I think we are very competitive" Messina said. "Even though we have a lot of sophomores and juniors this year, these kids still have a year under their belt and that experience will be key for us this season."
Last year, the Mounties saw difficulties from the get-go as they got off to an 0-7 start. But the team would not give up and and bounced back to go 6-7 down the stretch, earing some pretty impressive upsets over some of the top teams in the county. This season, Greylock is looking to begin the year on a better foot and hope to keep it rolling throughout the season.
The biggest void the Mounties will have to fill will be the shoes of outfielder Preston Trites. The departed senior went on a hitting frenzy last season, posting a .421 batting average down the stretch of the season while finishing with 20 runs, 20 RBI and eight steals.
Greylock has no worries, though, as it has a solid infield returning with experienced aces on the mound and a strong support staff. Messina is looking to David Jones and All-Transcript selection Dylan Dethier to
"Pitching is always important" Messina said. "Most of our returners are able to pitch in any game, but Jones is most likely going to be our go-to guy, and he has some solid pitches that he has been throwing so far this season."
Last season, Dethier put up impressive numbers despite the Mounties difficulties. This year, the junior ace will again bring his impressive curveball to the mound in hopes of settling down the opposing teams bats. Although Dethier's numbers were in the average range last season as he recorded a 2-1 record with a 4.55 ERA and 20 strikeouts, it was the impressive upsets that he played a key in that will carry over into this season.
Taking in the pitches this season for the Mounties will be returner ChrisKoch.. Messina expects Koch to be a key part to the Greylock defense as he sees the catcher as the key position on the field.
"I focus more on the defensive aspect of the game before the offensive," Messina said. "Chris will be able to save runs for us, block balls, and keep runners from advancing bases, and that is what we need to stay in games."
Other key infielders on the Mountie defense will be Jeff Romejko at third base, Dethier and Jones at second and first base, respectively, and Corey Nichols at shortstop. Leading the Mounties in the outfield will be junior Than Finan in center. He will be flanked by Travis Carlson in left and Chris Geannelis in right.
Messina feels that his team is very well rounded this year and that the attitude coming into this season is very positive.
"We are very enthusiastic this season," Messina said. "We are very relaxed, loose and we are having fun, but at the same time, we are working hard. We are confident in our ability this season, and I think a lot of that carries over from the success that these athletes had in other sports this year."
While the Mounties have not seen the postseason in the past couple years, Messina said both he and his teams have set goals to not only make the Western Massachusetts tournament, but also make a solid run for the South Division title.
"We just need to concentrate on the basics this season," Messina said. "Our defense will be the key to it all, and I told the kids that if we do well on defense that the offense will come. We just need to relax and be patient and the big hits and the runs will happen."
Messina feels that the experience of his younger players has tremendously improved not only their ability but also their leadership on the field, and even though the Mounties are not overloaded with upper classmen, that the experience and the attitude are the most important thing.
"We are very encouraged this season" Messina said. "We are anxious to get out there and play, and the kids are looking to win."
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