By MICHAEL LETENDRE
STAFF WRITER
BRISTOL – It seemed like a broken record last season as the Bristol Eastern baseball squad was once again a state tournament qualifier but to start the postseason, the Lancers were the toast of the Class L bracket – ranked first overall.
And while the quarterfinal exit to Bunnell by a single run certainly stung the squad, it should be interesting to see what the Lancers do with a boatload of starters from the CCC South Championship brings to the table in 2016.
The Lancers are once looking for big things and here’s what to expect from the Bristol Eastern baseball squad:
BRISTOL EASTERN
Head Coach: Mike Giovinazzo (42nd year)
Overall Record: 547-307-3
Last season’s ledger: 19-4 overall, 13-1 CCC South (CCC South Champions at 13-1)
2015 Tournament: The top ranked squad in the Class L fray, the Lancers fell to No. 9 Bunnell in the quarterfinal round by a 3-2 final from Muzzy Field in Bristol on June 5.
All Conference Performers from 2015: Nate Carney, Jake Collelo, Tom Curtin, Austin Dias, Jordan Lowrey
Strength: Depth, pitching
Weakness: Experience
Key Losses: Jordan Lowrey (C/OF); Bryce LeBron (OF/P); Jacob Colello (All Conference, 2B); Tommy Curtin (CCSU, P); Austin Dias; Pete Roche (3B); Jacob Dubrosky; Joe Dorsio; Jessie Caron; Jon Pastyrnak.
Players to watch: Nate Carney (sr, All Conference, P); Greg Lozier (sr., C); Adrian James (sr., OF); Nate Hickey (sr., OF/); Evan McGinley (sr., INF); Zach Martin (sr,); Brian McPhee (sr, INF/P); Zach Marquis (jr, OF/P); Gary Gagnier (jr., P/INF); Jake Violette (jr., P); Ethan O’Day (jr., P); Shawn Savior (jr., P); Tyler Troth (jr., P).
What to expect from the Lancers: The big gun returns to the mound for Eastern as senior Nate Carney went a perfect 8-0 and easily led the squad in innings pitched (75.7), strikeouts (62), ERA (1.48) and allowed just under two walks per seven innings pitched – only yielding 20 base-on-balls overall.
Expect Carney to be the featured pitcher in all the CCC South Blue Division.
Junior Zach Marquis, along with his outfield duties, will also see some time on the mound but Eastern will have to develop third and fourth starters in that rotation.
Giovinazzo should be able to turn to a boatload of juniors in that capacity including Gary Gagnier, Jake Violette, Ethan O’Day, Shawn Savior and Tyler Troth along with senior Brian McPhee.
And that outfield should be outstanding again as Marquis joins up forces with the senior duo of Nate Hickey (nine hits, five RBI, 11 walks, 11 runs scored) in centerfield and Adrian James (.333, 25 hits, 13 RBI, 10 stolen bases) in right.
That’s an excellent and highly experienced defensive crew
A healthy Greg Lozier behind the plate is critical for the Lancers as the warrior was lost last season due to Tommy John surgery.
The infield will contain a couple new varsity faces as seniors Evan McGinley, McPhee and Gagnier will all bring something to the table.
This team certainly tasted success from the 2015 campaign and are eager to repeat those fortunes this year.
If this young core can blend with the likes of Carney and that all-star outfield, Eastern will be headed for big things once again.
CCC South Outlook: Again, Eastern has its eyes on the CCC South prize and expect a race from the likes of Bristol Central and Newington.
With the expansion of the CCC South into White and Blue Divisions, there won’t be any give-me games for the Lancers this season.
Comments? Email mletendre@BristolObserver. com.