February 27, 2007

Thank you for visiting the Baseball Coaches Corner.  It’s hard to believe, but our trip to Arizona and the beginning of our game schedule is less than three weeks away.  Practices have been going well as we prepare to tackle a challenging ten-game schedule in the Phoenix area starting with our opener against nationally-ranked Augustana on March 18.

I expect the 2007 Maroons to be a strong defensive team with deep and solid pitching, good hands and arms around the infield, dependable outfield play, and outstanding receiving and throwing from behind the plate.  At the same time, we return nine of our top ten hitters from 2006 when the team achieved a batting average of over .300 for the sixth consecutive year.  Senior co-captains pitcher Dan Cozzi (Chicago St. Ignatius) and second baseman Tony Zitek (Tampa, FL) will lead a team that is expecting several freshmen to contribute quickly.  Shortstop Rob Serpico (Hampshire), catcher Gino Miglio (Chicago De La Salle), and pitchers Joe Pankow (Naperville North) and Alex Garbier (Watertown, MA) should begin their collegiate careers with significant time on the field and many opportunities to make us a better team.  Sophomore first baseman/catcher Scott Hofer (San Marino, CA) and Zitek will be expected to lead the offense.  Hofer hit .448 as a freshman in 2006 and was voted “Rookie Male Athlete of the Year” by the Order of the “C”.  Junior Nate Ginsberg (Dobbs Ferry, NY) will again be one of those rare players who makes front-line contributions as a pitcher and position player (center field).  We expect to benefit from senior John Thomas’ (Bloomington, IN) speed and versatility as he completes his collegiate career by appearing in one of a number of places on the field on any given day;  left field, center field, second base, or third base.

Included in the challenging 2007 game schedule is a weekend trip to Cleveland to play Washington University – St. Louis and Case Western Reserve University in a three-team tournament.  Another highlight of the upcoming season is the annual Alumni Game to be held on Saturday, April 14.  A post-Alumni Game gathering on the Ratner Observation Deck and a home doubleheader on the following day will provide a good opportunity for our alumni to catch up with each other and get to know the current Maroons.  Coach Budeselich has mailed information on the Alumni weekend.  Those who do not receive the mailing should provide us with current contact information so that they can be included.

Best wishes from Chicago Baseball!  We hope that you can come out and see us at some point during the 2007 season.

Coach Baldea

 

Brian Baldea
Head Baseball Coach