George Washington University Athletics
GW Baseball 2007 Season Preview
2/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 14, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC- George Washington University has consistently fielded one of the premier teams in the mid-Atlantic region over the past decade, and the 2007 version of the Colonials will look to build on that outstanding tradition.
GW comes off an exciting conclusion to 2006, when the Colonials finished 25-34. The squad will have a new look in 2007. Four senior pitchers have gone on to play pro ball and the group of 14 freshmen on the roster is the largest in memory. With their three conference starting pitchers having moved on, there will be some large shoes to fill, but Head Coach Steve Mrowka sees good things from this year's team. "I think we're going to surprise a lot of people with the way we approach things this year, because it will be different from what they have traditionally come to expect."
Neutral observers will not be surprised if the Colonials record another winning season, with a line-up full of professional baseball prospects. Over the past five seasons, the program has recorded 186 wins and had 19 players sign professional contracts. Without question, GW will be a team that other squads will look to target as the Colonials seek their first NCAA bid since 2002.
PITCHING:
The success of the 2007 Colonials will depend chiefly on the strong arms of the pitching staff, consisting of four returning pitchers and eight new recruits. RHP Derek Haese is the staff's lone senior. Haese was used as the team's closer for much of 2006, but will likely move to the rotation in 2007. His 2.09 ERA in 2006 would have qualified for the national top 50 had he not been three innings shy of the NCAA minimum. Junior RHP Brian Frazier was 7-1 as a freshman in 2005, but struggled with injuries and control issues in 2006. After a strong and healthy fall season, he looks to rebound and be an anchor for the Colonials staff. Sophomore RHP Pat Lehman was the team's best pitcher down the stretch in 2006 and Mrowka had him on the mound in several key situations during the Colonials playoff run. His experience and confidence make him a prime candidate to be one of GW's top arms in the weekend rotation. Sophomore RHP Jimmy Duggan has been one of this year's surprises thus far. Opponents hit a paltry .209 off himin 22 innings in 2006.
The development of a talented group of freshman hurlers will be a key component to the Colonials' success in 2007. RHP Scott Swinson throws hard, has excellent athleticism and looked poised on the mound throughout the fall. Swinson will play a major role on the staff, as will LHP Bobby Lucas, a power pitcher who has a chance to be dominant. RHP Ryan Lapointe is another freshman that will get the opportunity to be a major contributor in 2007. A pair of hurlers from British Columbia, RHP/OF Chris Davis and RHP Faizan Choudhry, have looked impressive in the fall and will begin the season as relievers, with the chance to move up. RHP Arllen Cruz is another project who brings size, velocity and experience on the mound. RHP/IF Jon Chirumbolo was a very pleasant surprise in the fall and looks to help the Colonials in multiple ways. Redshirt freshman RHP Justin Dignelli is recovering from summer arm surgery and hopes to contribute as a reliever in the second half of the season.
CATCHER:
Junior Andrew Abokhair returns to the starting line-up after a fine 2006 season, where he started 53 games, led the Colonials in hitting with a .307 average and played a major role in the pitching staff's 4.19 ERA (third in the A-10). Abokhair provides steadiness, clutch hitting and leadership behind the plate. Senior Whitey Wallace caught several key games for the Colonials in 2006 and will be called on again in relief of Abokhair. Freshman Will Cooper has made excellent strides thus far this fall and will also be called upon to spell Abokhair. Junior Andrew Haberern has a good bat and some power at the plate, and will split time between catcher, first base and the designated hitter.
FIRST BASE:
The Colonials entered the 2006 season with the first base spot open, but it was not long before sophomore Tim Reeves won the job. Reeves started 43 games in 2006, provided excellent defense and has improved every aspect of his game for 2007. Behind Reeves, freshmen Curtis Eward and Mike DeVito will contribute both at first base and in the designated hitter slots. Eward suffered through an injury-plagued senior season in high school, but is clearly the team's best freshman hitter. DeVito showed some signs in the fall that he can be a major contributor as well, playing the corners in the infield and outfield, as well as DH.
MIDDLE INFIELD:
At shortstop this spring will be three-year starter Michael Parker. Parker is a strong defensive infielder who is expected to hit at the top of the order. He hit .271, stole 13 bases and started each of the team's 59 games in 2006. He also provided power, finishing second on the team in extra-base hits and home runs. The battle for playing time at second base will come down to freshman Tom Zebroski and sophomore Bryan Hwang. Hwang has the experience, having started 29 games in 2006. A good bunter and fine defensive player, Hwang has lost weight and gained flexibility to fit himself into the middle infield role. Zebroski comes to GW out of the Bayside Yankees organization and has a package of good foot speed, great hands and excellent baseball instincts.
THIRD BASE:
With the graduation of four-year starter and former A-10 Rookie of the Year Tom Shanley, sophomore Doug Eizen looks to take over the starting third base job. Eizen started 24 games at first base and second base in 2006, and has returned to campus having made great improvements in his hitting and physical strength. Primary back-ups will be freshmen Nick Lambros and Chris Holland.
THE OUTFIELD:
Anchoring the experienced outfield will be senior Mickey Shupin, who moves to center field after splitting the 2006 season at second base and right field. Shupin will also hit at the top of the order and look to add to his Atlantic 10-leading 24 stolen bases from last year. Junior Charlie Kruer will return as the starter in left field. In 2006, Kruer was the team's premier offensive player, leading the squad in hits, home runs and RBIs. Junior Gavin Swanson returns to the Colonials' line-up after two injury plagued seasons, hoping to stay healthy and hold down the right field position that he won last year. If he is unable to do so, Mrowka has excellent options in Wallace, Holland, Davis and sophomores Matt Boyd and Chris Marsicano. Wallace is a fine all-around player with excellent defensive skills in the outfield. Boyd showed flashes of brilliance as a freshman and brings an unusual combination of power and speed. Left-handed hitting Marsicano had some clutch hits down the stretch in 2006 and has improved his defense significantly.
COACHING STAFF:
With two seasons at GW under his belt, a new group of recruits and his offensive and defensive systems now fully in place, Mrowka enters his 13th season of coaching just 27 wins shy of his 500th career victory. In his third season at GW, Mrowka will guide the Colonials as they look to qualify for the conference playoffs for the 16th time in the last 20 years. Once there, GW will aim to return to NCAA regional play for the first time since 2002. Pitching coach and recruiting coordinator Jim Mason returns for his thirdseason with the Colonials and looks to help build upon their past two seasons of being ranked in the top three of the A-10 in ERA. In his second year at GW, Dan Hodgson will work chiefly with the hitters, outfielders and coach first base. Volunteer assistant Greg Conden returns to Foggy Bottom after a great career in a Colonials uniform, and will help mentor the young pitching staff.
