1/22/2003

WASHINGTON, D.C. - After a disappointing 2002 season in which the Hoyas finished 9-47, Head Coach Pete Wilk has assembled a number of new faces, looking to challenge some of the top teams in the BIG EAST in 2003.  Led by tri-captains Matt Carullo, Patrick Salvitti and junior Michael Lombardi, Georgetown looks to build around strong defense while utilizing the added punch to the lineup.  Three new coaches and 14 new players (including two transfers) give the Hoyas a whole new look for the 2003 season.

Three new coaching additions for the Hoyas bring new enthusiasm and added stability to a young squad.  Doc Beeman, Matt Daily and Steve Alhona join coach Wilk for the 2003 season.  Beeman, who will focus on pitchers and recruiting, comes to the Hilltop from Trinity University in San Antonio Texas where he spent the last four seasons as Associate Head Coach.  The Tigers led the country in ERA during the 2002 season.  Daily joins the Hoyas from Lewis and Clark College in Portland.  Daily has previous coaching experience with the University of Portland (2001), Texas A&M ? Corpus Christi (2000) and Del Mar Junior College (1999).  He also spent the summer coaching in the highly acclaimed Northwoods League with the St. Cloud River Bats.  Alhona comes to Georgetown from Virginia Weslyan where he coached infielders and outfielders.  Alhona played college ball at Chowan College in North Carolina.  He will help coach hitters, catchers and infielders while with the Hoyas.

Carrying the majority of the catching load for the third straight season will be Lombardi, who after spending a summer in the elite Cape Cod Baseball League has returned stronger than ever.  Lombardi started 39 games for the Hoyas last season, finishing with a .972 fielding average.  "Michael has a chance to be the best catcher in the league this year," says Head Coach Pete Wilk.  Battling Lombardi for playing time will be sophomore Andrew Cleary, a transfer from Stanford University who saw action in five games in his freshman campaign for the 47-18 Cardinals.  "Cleary brings a big-time bat to the middle of our lineup and should spell Lombardi behind the plate," says Wilk.  Sophomore Chris Burling will provide solid defense when called upon.

In the infield senior captain Matt Carullo will once again provide a strong bat from either position on the right side of the infield. Carullo played in all but one game during the 2002 season, hitting .301 with 29 RBI.  He will be joined by sophomore Jim Supple who will play all around the diamond but has an edge in the battle for first base. Supple hit .261 his freshman season, adding six RBI.  The big question for the Hoyas? infield is at shortstop, where Georgetown will be without sophomore Matt Johnson, who suffered a season-ending wrist injury in the preseason.  Trying to fill the large void left by the smooth-fielding Johnson will be either junior transfer Parker Brooks or freshman Matt Rasmussen.  Brooks played for the 31-25 Howard College Hawks last season in Texas.  Junior Ron Cano, a .300 hitter for the past two seasons, also factors into the equation.  Cano will play in the outfield if Brooks or Rasmussen seize the shortstop spot.  Battling all fall for the third base start have been freshmen Danny Gronski and Drew Dargen.  Both are talented young players who figure to get ample playing time at the hot corner.

In the outfield, sophomore Bill Quinn, last season?s leader in batting average (.340) and RBI (35) takes over in right field and will anchor the middle of a potent batting order.  "Billy is as talented a player as any in the league right now," comments Wilk.  "He provides us with athleticism and versatility, as well as a tremendous bat that we will count on for production."  In the middle of the outfield another freshman battle is brewing, this one between Brooks and freshman Tim Jones.  Both are tremendous athletes and each will get plenty of playing time in the spring.  Rounding out the outfield positions will be Cano, Dargen and senior John Perko.

At the designated hitter position, look for Cleary to get plenty of at-bats as well as sophomore Travis McCourt.  Senior Rob O'Hare, who led the team with seven home runs last season, fits into the picture here as well as in the outfield, and freshman Ryan Craft brings a lot of power from the right side of the plate as well.

Perhaps this season more than ever, pitching will be the key to the Hoyas? success.  This year it is also the biggest question mark, with many of the key starting positions still up for grabs between some talented underclassmen.  "You never know what you're going to get from a freshman arm,? Wilk says, ?but we've finally got the right ingredients to develop quite a staff down the road.  What they're able to do early in their careers is unknown, but they'll surely get their shot."

Led by junior Kevin Field, the 2003 staff is deeper than ever.  "Field is as talented as any pitcher I've ever coached,? says Wilk.  ?He just needs to be consistent, and I think he's matured into the role of the ace of the staff."  Field started 13 games in 2002, finishing the season second on the team in innings pitched (64.2) and strikeouts (50) including a no-hitter against Rutgers.  Following Field's lead will be sophomore Eddie Pena, who pitched much better than his 0-8 record showed last year.  "Despite the results, Eddie had a good year for us in 2002,? Wilk comments.  ?He kept us in almost every start he threw last year, into the 6th inning, which is what you want out of your starters.  We're counting on him this year." The battle for the remaining three starting positions is a tight one.  Senior captain Pat Salvitti, juniors Tom O'Connor and Kevin Galvin, sophomores Travis Danysh and Tom Braun and freshmen Warren Sizemore and Steven Burns are vying for innings this season.  "We've never had the depth that this staff brings to the table since I've been here," Wilk adds.

In addition, the bullpen, featuring sophomore Mike Halloran, freshman Ted Oberwager and those who don't grab starting positions, will be a definite strength.  "We've got the raw arms that make a good Division I pitching staff,? says Wilk.  ?It's experience, or lack thereof that concerns me.  Time will tell, but I am optimistic."  Rounding out the pitching staff is sophomore Pat Harrigan, who is coming off of minor arm surgery, sophomore lefty Tyler Abbott, and three freshmen, Scott Gehring, Pat Gallagher, and Kevin Lundquist.

A 56 game slate in 2003, including 25 at home will test the young Georgetown squad.  The Hoyas will host the Hoya Invitational Tourney from February 28 to March 2, welcoming George Mason, Army and Central Connecticut to Shirley Povich Field. Georgetown will also compete in the Rollins College Baseball Week in Orlando, Florida, competing against Toledo, Evansville and the host Tars from March 7 to March 13. These games are in addition to a full BIG EAST conference slate including trips to Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Villanova and Seton Hall.  Georgetown?s BIG EAST opener is on Saturday, March 15 at home against the Boston College Eagles who finished third in the BIG EAST in 2002.