For Immediate Release
February 21, 2012
Courtesy of the Post-Standard, Written by Tom Leo
LeMoyne College’s move from Division I to Division II in baseball is at least paying off in regard to preseason expectations.
After years of virtually being ignored at the Division I level, the Dolphins, competing in Division II for the first time since 1987, have been ranked 24th nationally.
After 19 scheduled games on the road, LeMoyne’s home opener is scheduled for March 24 against Merrimack.
The Dolphins’ move to Division II was precipitated by its ouster from the Metro Athletic Conference a few years ago. No other Division I conference would take the Dolphins as a baseball-only school and the college’s board of directors voted to move back to Division II as opposed to competing in Division I in all sports.
“It is exciting to have something to play for again,” head coach Scott Cassidy said. “All these kids here have not been part of a conference and therefore have not had a chance to play for postseason. We are already seeing the benefits of being nationally ranked, and the guys are excited to climb the polls.”
With team success should come some individual recognition as well, Cassidy said.
“We can have kids once again be recognized for what they do on the field with postseason awards. We can play for conference, regional, and national championships and be recognized along the way,” Cassidy said.
LeMoyne has a successful track record in Division II. The Dolphins went 340-103-1 and appeared in 11 NCAA tournaments in 15 years under former coach Dick Rockwell as a Division II member from 1973 through 1987.
Since LeMoyne recently in Division I as recently as last season, its roster is filled with Division-I caliber players, including eight returning starting position players and two starting pitchers from last year’s 23-30 squad that posted wins over three teams from power-six conferences — Missouri, Penn State and Boston College.
Offensively, the Dolphins are led by senior center fielderBrett Botsford, from Baldwinsville, who batted .311 last year with a team-high 61 hits, 13 doubles, 20 stolen bases and 41 runs scored as a starter in all 53 games.
“I look for great things from Brett this season,” Cassidy said. “I think he will be one of the better all-around players in the country with his ability to hit, steal bases, and play exceptional defense.”
Senior third baseman Matt Marra (Central Square), hit .247 with 11 doubles and nine stolen bases. Junior shortstop Ryan Mahoney (Cicero-North Syracuse) hit .292 with a team-high six home runs and 31 runs batted in while scoring 39 runs and stealing nine bases.
Sophomore Pat Wiese (CBA) is back in center field after battling through some nagging injuries last year. “When he’s healthy, Pat provides great at-bats at the top of the order and is a table setter for the middle guys to drive in,” Cassidy said.
Senior left-hander Mike Anarumo leads the pitching staff after going 4-1 with a 4.59 ERA last season. Anarumo was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 21st round in 2010, but decided to return to LeMoyne as he recovered from arm surgery.
“Mike has really worked hard at becoming a good pitcher,” Cassidy said. “He has looked great inside so far this spring and I am looking forward to what he can do as a full-time starter.”
Senior right-hander Ed Kohout struck out 56 batters in 59 innings, both as a starter and reliever, junior right-hander Derek Zielinski (3-4, 5.20 ERA last season) and senior lefty Mark Kuzma (3-6, 4.53) should provide depth.
Also in the mix is junior right-hander Kevin Carroll (Jamesville), a former catcher who converted to a pitcher as a freshman. “He looks to be a legitimate major-league prospect with a fastball that is 89 to 93 mph and a very good slider,” Cassidy said of Carroll.
Marra likely will be used as a closer.
“We are a much better team right now than we were at this time last year,” Cassidy said. “The pitchers have good arm strength and are throwing strikes, and the hitters are putting together great at bats. Our defense which has benefited from being able to get outside several times already has looked very solid.”
