A new era of William Paterson baseball begins this spring as former Pioneer standout Mike Lauterhahn assumes the reins as his alma mater's head coach. 

Taking over for legend Jeff Albies, who led William Paterson to 862 victories and two national championships (1992, 1996) during his 33 seasons as the mentor of the Pioneers, Lauterhahn will have a strong veteran core and a group of talented newcomers to work with this season. A year ago, the Pioneers posted a 19-15-2 overall record and 6-11-1 mark in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) action, but gone from that dugout are 12 seniors, including six quality pitchers and some of the most accomplished ball players in WP history. Lauterhahn will look to the four returning position players and five returning pitchers to set the tone for a return to conference and national prominence.

PITCHERS
The loss of five pitchers who combined to throw more than 50 percent of the innings (158.1-314.1) and start more than half of the games (19-36) a year ago will provide ample opportunities for both veterans and newcomers alike to step into prominent roles on the pitching staff this year. The Pioneers return four experienced hurlers and welcome six newcomers who will all see an opportunity to earn time on the mound. 

Junior Dan VandeVrede (Lincoln Park, N.J./Pequannock) started eight games last year, including five NJAC contests, and pitched 51 innings while registering four victories. Expected to join VandeVrede in the conference starting rotation are sophomore Scott Zirul (Cedar Grove, N.J/Cedar Grove) and freshman Chris Mongelli (Riverdale, N.J./Pompton Lakes). A transfer from FDU-Florham, Zirul was a prep first-team all-state pick who showed great promise during the fall season. Mongelli, the only lefty on the Pioneers' staff this year, was an all-state selection after posting a 7-1 record at nearby Pompton Lakes H.S. a year ago. 

Sophomore Greg Stokes (Franklin Lakes, N.J./Indian Hills) was 4-0 in 11 appearances (five starts) a year ago, becoming acclimated to the college game as a non-conference game starter. His experience and knowledge of the game will help him make the transition to starting on NJAC game-days.
Senior Steve Schlitzer (West New York, N.J./Memorial) looks to return to the form that saw him post a 1.83 ERA and 7-1 record as the closer during his first two seasons. Injuries cost him the 2005 and most of the 2007 campaigns, but he is expected to bounce back and be a crucial member of the staff this spring. 

Senior Steve VandeVrede (Lincoln Park, N.J./Pequannock) made 14 appearances during his first season as a Pioneer in 2007, and should fill one of the starting slots for William Paterson this spring.
Newcomers to the Pioneers' staff include junior Mark Robbins (Mays Landing, N.J./Oakcrest), a transfer from FDU-Florham who possesses great experience and knowledge; and freshmen Paul Albanese (Palisades Park, N.J./Palisades Park), Kyle Schlemm (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) and Darren Ritchie (Wallington, N.J./Wallington), who could see innings either starting or in relief.

CATCHERS
Two-year starter Don Hays (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) had a solid 2007 season behind the plate, posting a .284 batting average and a .989 fielding percentage. The senior had a tremendous fall season, and is expected to have an even better spring in 2008. 

Sharing time with Hays will be senior Vince Joyce (Franklin, N.J./Wallkill Valley), an outfielder who has catching experience and will be called upon as a utility player this season. Also expected to see time behind the plate are freshmen Joe Curry (Lakewood, N.J./Lakewood Regional) and Frank Franco (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills).

INFIELDERS
The Pioneer infield will be one of the most experienced position groups this season, led by fourth-year starter Dan Limone (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck) at shortstop. Limone has tremendous speed on the bases with 57 career steals, and provides great leadership to the squad. Limone started in all 34 games last year, batting .348 with 30 runs scored, 18 stolen bases and 25 RBI. 

Junior Will Courter (Roseland, N.J./West Essex) started 20 of 28 appearances at first base last spring and proved he is very strong defensively, earning the starting role after transferring from Seton Hall. Courter also posted a .296 batting average with 16 RBI in 81 at-bats. 

After taking a year off to focus on school, senior Anthony Perrone (Midland Park, N.J./Bergen Catholic) returns to the Pioneers' lineup and is projected to start at third base. Perrone started in all 18 appearances in 2006 and registered a .292 batting average with six doubles, 15 runs and 16 RBI.
Rounding out the group of expected starters is sophomore Vincent Ganz (Waterbury, Conn./Holy Cross) at second base. A transfer from Gloucester C.C., he possesses great glove work and a competitive streak that will match well with his .296 batting average last spring. 

Senior Luis Fernandez (West New York, N.J./Memorial) will likely be in the daily starting lineup, as his versatility and athleticism allow him to play almost anywhere on the field. Fernandez has played in 36 games during his two years with the Pioneers, contributing in a variety of roles ranging from shortstop to relief pitching. 

Sophomore Scott Fischer (Woodcliff Lake, N.J./Pascack Hills) will serve as a backup infielder after missing the majority of last season due to injury. Classmate Joe Espinoza (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford), a transfer from Felician College, will compete with Courter for time at first, while freshman Kevin Ryan (Edison, N.J./Edison) will play behind Limone at shortstop.

OUTFIELDERS
Leading the Pioneers in the outfield this season will be sophomore Mike Guadango (Upper Saddle River, N.J./Northern Highlands), who will begin his second year starting in right. A 2007 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Mid-Atlantic Region all-second team and NJAC all-first team honoree, Guadango ranked fifth in the NJAC after posting an impressive .410 batting average last season. He led William Paterson with four home runs, 41 RBI and a .618 slugging percentage (fourth in NJAC), and will be a force in the outfield and at the plate again this spring. 

Sophomore Andrue Laguerre (Jersey City, N.J./St. Benedict's Prep) will patrol center after transferring from Brookdale C.C. Laguerre's great reaction time and speed helped him lead his team to a fourth-place finish at the 2007 Junior College World Series. 

Junior John Elia (Emerson, N.J./Pascack Valley), a transfer from Monmouth University, will find himself starting in left field. A power hitter, he registered a .235 average in 20 starts last season. 

Also competing for time in the outfield will be sophomore James Gregory (Ramsey, N.J./Ramsey), who came off the bench in 25 games a year ago; junior Derek Koppinger (Columbia, N.J./North Warren Regional), a newcomer from Sussex C.C.; freshman Ray Puluse (Little Falls, N.J./Passaic Valley); and Joyce.