A year after William Paterson reached the final of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Baseball Tournament, the Pioneers are looking to make even bigger waves during the 2010 season.

William Paterson returned 20 letterwinners and five starters from the 2009 squad that compiled a 24-17 overall record and a 12-6 mark in league play, including three wins against ranked conference opponents. The Pioneers twice staved off elimination from last year's NJAC Tournament, and that experience of postseason success should serve William Paterson well as it attempts to go one step further and earn a berth in this spring's NCAA Tournament.

“One of our strengths this year should be our very experienced and deep outfield,” stated third-year head coach Mike Lauterhahn. “We also have a great mix of veterans and talented newcomers, especially on our pitching staff.”

INFIELD
The Pioneers will see familiar faces at each of the infield positions, including three returning starters from a year ago.

Sophomore Vin Fondacaro (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.) will move into the spotlight after being mentored by three-year starter Don Hays behind the plate. Fondacaro, who played in 12 games as a rookie, worked hard during the off-season to prepare for an expanded role this season.  Junior Zac Rose (Nutley, N.J./St. Mary Rutherford) isn't far behind Fondacaro in the race for the starting nod after hitting .260 in 21 contests last season. Sophomore Pete Kraljic (Rochelle Park, N.J./Ridgefield Park) will compete for playing time, as will classmate Ryan VanderMay (West Caldwell, N.J./Seton Hall Prep), who could also serve as a designated hitter and relief pitcher for WP.

Senior Marc Palestina (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) quickly showed his value after transferring from Montclair State a year ago, starting in 23 of 31 games and hitting .261 with five sacrifice bunts and three sac flies while providing a steady defensive presence at first base. He will be backed up by junior Frank Franco (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills), who also could get into the lineup as a DH, and freshman Mike Linskey (Stanhope, N.J./Pope John XXIII).

Senior Miguel Lugo (Jersey City, N.J./St. Mary's) started the 2009 season as a back-up infielder after transferring from NJIT, but finished as a second-team all-NJAC and third-team all-state second baseman after hitting .383 with six doubles, five triples, 38 runs scored, 34 RBI and a .452 on-base percentage. 

Lugo will again look to turn double plays with sophomore Anthony Dorio (Lyndhurst, N.J./Lyndhurst), who took over the starting job at shortstop during the first weekend of NJAC play and went on to earn honorable-mention all-conference honors (.290, five triples, 23 walks, 33 runs scored). A savvy player who finds his way on base (.421 on-base percentage), Dorio could give the Pioneers a virtual double leadoff hitter when batting ninth in the order. Sophomore Jonattan Fernandez (Paterson, N.J./Sports Business Academy), a transfer from Bloomfield College, will serve as a back-up at both middle infield positions.

Following the graduation of last spring's starter at third base, Will Courter (.429, 54 runs, 13 doubles, 40 RBI), sophomore Rob Somers (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) is expected to make the transition from short to third this season. Somers, who earned all-state rookie honors after getting the majority of his at-bats as the team's designated hitter (.297, 20 runs, 17 walks, .409 on-base), will be pushed for playing time by sophomore back-up Rob Doughty (Jersey City, N.J./Hudson Catholic), who also tossed 27.2 innings in nine appearances on the mound a year ago.

OUTFIELD
Three proven veterans will highlight William Paterson's options in the outfield, but a group of talented and hungry back-ups also will press for playing time for the Pioneers.

Junior Mike Moran (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.) burst on to the scene as a transfer from the County College of Morris to hit .401 and collect 33 RBI, 30 runs scored and a team-best 19 stolen bases last year. An honorable-mention all-NJAC and third-team all-state selection, the left fielder will see some early-season at-bats as the team's DH while recovering from off-season surgery.

Replacing John Elia (.394, 53 RBI, 53 runs, .716 slugging) in center field will be senior Andrue Laguerre (Jersey City, N.J./St. Benedict's Prep), who returns after missing all but six games due to injury in 2009. As a first-year Pioneer during the 2008 season, Laguerre hit. 326 while starting in 34 of 36 games in left field.

A two-time all-American and a three-time first-team all-league selection in right field, senior Mike Guadango (Upper Saddle River, N.J./Northern Highlands) ranks among the greatest hitters in Pioneer history with career numbers of a .422 batting average, 208 hits, 46 doubles, 18 home runs, 148 RBI and 133 runs scored.

Sophomore Jack Montanile (Weehawken, N.J./Hudson Catholic) could see significant time in left field, but could serve as a back-up in all three outfield positions thanks to his strong arm. Linskey is an option at the two corners, freshman Joe Fiorino (Glen Cove, N.Y./Glen Cove) will compete for innings in center, and senior James Gregory (Ramsey, N.J./Ramsey) will press for an expanded role in right field.

STARTING PITCHING
William Paterson's starting rotation will see significant changes from a year ago, thanks to both the infusion of new talent and the change in roles for two Pioneer relievers.

Senior Scott Zirul (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) is the veteran of the staff as a two-year conference starter with an 11-4 record and a 5.27 earned-run average. Possessing an excellent work ethic, Zirul tied for second on the team in wins (5-3) and innings pitched (55.0) a year ago.

Junior Brett Carroll (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) had the best fall season of any Pioneer after transferring from Oral Roberts, displaying very good consistency, velocity and movement while also proving himself to be one of the most competitive members of the roster.

Steve Coral (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley) was 6-1 with a 4.58 ERA last year, putting together one of the best freshman seasons by any pitcher in the state. As a weekend starter, Coral gained valuable experience as a rookie while earning honorable-mention all-NJAC and third-team all-region accolades.

Classmate J.J. Moran (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley) will be asked to adapt from being the Pioneers' closer (1-2, 4.88 ERA, four saves) last spring to a starter this year. Moran, who is coming off an injury suffered late last year, had an excellent off-season and seems poised to make an even larger impact as a sophomore.

Junior lefty Ryan Steidl (Randolph, N.J./Morris Knolls) arrived from Georgia Southern last spring and started in five of 13 appearances, striking out 22 hitters while tossing a total of 27.0 innings. If he continues to focus more on his control than his velocity, Lauterhahn predicts that Steidl can be very successful on the hill this season.

Competing for the fifth spot in the rotation will be sophomore Bryce Warden (West Milford, N.J./West Milford), a lanky left-handed transfer from Susquehanna, and freshman James Young (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne), who will work to develop his off-speed pitches to complement a quality two-seamer.

RELIEF PITCHING
A pair of closers will lead the Pioneers' bullpen this spring. A transfer from Long Island, hard-throwing sophomore Blake Crouch (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) has the demeanor necessary to be successful as a closer, as he is not afraid to pitch on the inner part of the plate in order to set-up the off-speed away. Freshman Jacob Baron (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick) might have the best two-seamer movement of any member of the staff, and he will be groomed as Moran was last year to eventually move from the closer role to a spot in the starting rotation.

Sophomore Dan Alcala (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley) gained valuable experience a year ago, pitching 25.0 innings in 11 relief appearances, and will be an excellent option as a set-up man if he remains healthy. Junior John Slootmaker (Pequannock, N.J./Lakeland Regional) has also been limited by injury since arriving from LIU, while Doughty is looking for an expanded role after showing durability and a quality curve ball while serving as a mid-week starter last season.

Chris Mongelli (Riverdale, N.J./Pompton Lakes) will be worked back in slowly after missing all of 2009 with an injury. The lefty ranked third for the Pioneers in innings pitched (53.1) as a freshman in 2008 while compiling a 3-4 record and registering 24 strikeouts.

Rounding out the bullpen will be freshmen Greg Baker (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson Regional) and Steve Kaylor (Belford, N.J./Middletown North), as well as sophomores Doughty and VanderMay.