George Washington University Athletics
2001 Baseball Outlook
11/28/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
As the GW baseball team heads into the 2001 season, it looks to build upon a record-breaking 2000 campaign, in which it broke the school record for victories with 37. The fifth-year head coach is confident and excited about his team's chances in 2001. He is relying on work ethic, leadership and some of the new faces to bring the Colonials an Atlantic 10 Conference Championship.
"We are excited about this season more than any of our previous seasons," Walter said. "Our top seven players in the lineup have a lot of college at-bats, a lot of power and a lot of speed. I don't think there is anyone we play that's going to have seven guys that match up better."
THE LINEUP
Captains Matt Krimmel and Dan Rouhier, along with junior Mike Bassett and
newcomers Ross Smirne and Jeff Fertitta, will anchor the middle of the
Colonials lineup. Krimmel is healthy this year after missing 24 games last
year with a broken pinky finger. He will see most of the time at third base
and Walter feels this will be Krimmel's breakthrough season. Rouhier has been
one of the Colonials most consistent performers in his GW career. He will
start in left field and with another solid campaign finish his career in the
Top 10 of several offensive categories. Bassett led the team in home runs
last year and has moved among the top five all-time at GW in that category in
only two years. Smirne, a transfer from Cleveland State, will not only be an
asset behind the plate, but will provide a powerful bat in the sixth spot of
the batting order. Fertitta, a freshman switch-hitter from Baltimore, will
start at first base and bat seventh. Senior Frank Cerullo and freshman Adam
Trigg will provide valuable bats off the bench.
Sophomore Tony Dokoupil, redshirt junior Tony Brown, redshirt sophomore Travis Crowder and newcomer Nick Iovacchini will battle for the top two spots in the order. Walter said playing time could be determined by matchups with the opposing pitcher until two people emerge as everyday players. At the bottom of the order, sophomore Jake Wald, who possesses the best defensive skills in the conference, returns as the favorite to start at shortstop. Chris Barry has some of the best athletic skills in the conference and he will compete for playing time in the middle of the diamond as well. Walter felt the lack of experience up the middle hurt the Colonials in the big games last year. With players such as Wald having a year under their belts and with the addition of Smirne the Colonials will be stronger up the middle this year.
PITCHING
The Colonials will have the most pitching depth they have ever had and Walter
feels the whole staff possesses tremendous talent.
The top two starters will be sophomore Greg Conden and junior Jason Baker.
Conden won nine games for the Colonials last year and was the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, Pitcher of the Year and a Freshman All-America in his rookie campaign. Last summer, Conden pitched in the Cape Cod League for the Hyannis Mets. Professional scouts said he was the best pitcher down the stretch for the eventual runners-up. Walter expects Conden to win 10 plus games this year and to be a Team USA candidate. Baker, a transfer from the University of Richmond, brings as good a fastball and changeup as anyone I have ever had, according to Walter. Walter believes both of his power pitchers will have dominant seasons in the Atlantic 10 this year.
Sophomore Glenn Skutnik is the favorite to be the No. 3 starter. Last fall, Skutnik pitched more with his fastball and established a slider that Walter feels will help him make the jump from the bullpen to being a starter. Junior Chris Worth won seven games for the Colonials last year and will compete with Skutnik. Senior Ron Christie returns this year from an arm injury and Walter is encouraged by Christie's outstanding fall in which he showed the best changeup on the staff. Christie will get the opportunity to be the third starter as well.
Junior Mike O'Connor will move to the bullpen this year and will be the primary lefthanded setup man. Eric Mitchell will move from behind the plate to the mound this year. This will be Mitchell's first pitching experience and he already has established that he has the best fastball on the team, according to Walter. Freshman David Rodriguez also possesses an outstanding arm, and along with classmate Josh Courage and sophomore Marc Cappelletti, will provide depth out of the bullpen.
Senior Bryan Beggs will anchor the bullpen as the team's closer. Last year, Beggs led the team in saves with eight and established himself as one of the best closers in the conference. He will be counted on to shut it down for us, according to Walter.
EXPERIENCE/SCHEDULE
With the loss of IF Ryan Dacey, OF Matt Walker and LHP Adam Belicic to the
pros, the Colonials lost three of their top players. However, Walter feels
very comfortable that his newcomers will help out a great deal. "Everyone else
in the program is a year older and we added transfers who have played at major
programs,so we lose a lot, but we have added as well, " Walter said. He added
that he and his coaching staff will be counting on captains Krimmel and
Rouhier to take the team by the horns and lead us to the Promised Land.
The early part of the schedule against UNC-Wilmington, James Madison and UNC-Charlotte will be tough. Walter said, My goal is to get through those first seven games with four wins. If the team can do that, Walter feels, the Colonials have what it takes to win 40- plus games and take home their first A-10 tournament championship since 1992.
