Disappointed with the results from an injury-marred season a year ago, the William Paterson baseball program's returning players have made it their mission to motivate themselves, as well as the new players, to go out and prove they can reclaim one of the top spots in the highly-competitive New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). This self-motivation has already led to good team chemistry and a sense of team unity in the locker room as the Pioneers prepare for the start of their 2011 campaign.

After finishing 16-21-1 overall and 6-12 in conference play during the 2010 season, the Pioneers will be looking to improve in each area of the game this spring. Losing two-time all-American Mike Guadango from the lineup means the Pioneers will be relying more on pitching and defense than the long ball this year.

“We are focused on going out and getting the job done every single day” stated fourth-year head coach Mike Lauterhahn. “We are focused on the journey, not just the destination.”

INFIELD
The Pioneers will see a host of new faces in the infield this spring, returning only three letterwinners from a season ago.

Senior Zak Rose (Nutley, N.J./St. Mary of Rutherford) started about half of the games at catcher in 2010, developing a good relationship with the pitching staff as well as providing an offensive spark in the lineup. Moving from the mound to behind the plate, junior Blake Crouch (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) will provide a wealth of knowledge and experience in the art of communication between pitcher and catcher, as well as blocking skills and arm strength for the Pioneers. Freshmen Mike Arecchi (Hazlet, N.J./St. John Vianney) and Ken O'Donnell (Teaneck, N.J./Don Bosco Prep) come from winning high school programs, making them fierce competitors who know what it takes to win, and allowing each of them to compete for time this season.

Graduate student Frank Franco (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) has proven to be one of the stronger bats in the Pioneer lineup, hitting a solid .312 with six home runs and 39 RBI a season ago, and will split time between DH and first base this spring. After a season-ending injury sidelined him a year ago, senior Marc Palestina (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) will be looking to provide offensive pop and a solid glove at first this season. A junior transfer from the University of Rhode Island, Adam Derner (River Edge, N.J./River Dell Regional) will bring power to the Pioneer lineup and provides a good lefty/righty complement to Franco.

Following the graduation of Miguel Lugo (.386 batting average, 10 doubles, 39 runs scored), two freshmen will be competing for the starting job at second base. Scott Ptaszynski (Wharton, N.J./Morris Hills) showed a great ability to turn double plays while hitting .400 this fall. Rob Pasternak (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) displayed tremendous range and a strong offensive presence during the fall season. Pasternak comes to the Pioneers from a highly-successful high school program, a fact that has helped him develop an unparalleled competitive drive.

After compiling a team-best .395 batting average and a .957 fielding percentage a year ago, junior Anthony Dorio (Lyndhurst, N.J./Lyndhurst) will assume the leadership role in the infield, anchoring the youthful defense. An honorable-mention all-NJAC selection as a freshman, Dorio's physical ability has developed enough to allow him to be successful, but now, according to Lauterhahn, “he needs to focus on the mental part of the game. We'll go as he goes.”

Third base will provide a variety of new faces with strong arms for William Paterson. Junior Rob Doughty (Jersey City, N.J./Hudson Catholic) will transition from pitcher to third base this season, bringing with him solid defense. Also competing for playing time will be Lehigh University transfer, sophomore Scott Hansen (Saddle Brook, N.J./Don Bosco Prep), and freshman A.J. Flores (West Orange, N.J./West Orange). Thanks to their athleticism and strong arms, both Hansen and Flores can play in the infield or outfield as needed.

OUTFIELD
Despite graduating two-time all-American Mike Guadango, three veterans will highlight William Paterson's outfield, each with playing experience essential to success, especially in conference play.

After earning second-team all-NJAC and third-team all-state honors a season ago, junior Jack Montanile (Weehawken, N.J./Hudson Catholic) will provide experience and athleticism to the Pioneer outfield. Batting .331 with 20 RBI, nine doubles and 28 runs scored last season, Montanile will also provide an offensive spark to the Pioneer lineup.

Three-year starter Rob Somers (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) will be making the transition from infield to outfield this spring, bringing along with him a wealth of conference-play experience. A lifetime .303 hitter, the junior was a member of the 2009 New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association Division II/III All-Rookie Team.

Senior Mike Moran (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Twp.) has recovered fully from a 2010 knee injury and is motivated to return to the 2009 form that allowed him to earn all-state and all-conference laurels by hitting .401 and collecting 33 RBI.

Freshman Brian Truchan (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) has shown good range and speed, attributes that will help him compete with all of the veterans for playing time in the Pioneer outfield this year.

STARTING PITCHING
William Paterson's starting rotation will see new faces and changed roles on the pitching staff this season. Losing Brett Carroll to the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft opened a spot in the starting rotation, and has allowed others to step into larger roles.

Sophomore right-hander J.J. Moran (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley) will be very motivated to make a splash in the starting rotation after coming off of an injury that sidelined him after two starts in 2010. As a rookie, Moran tossed 31.1 innings, striking out 27, registering four saves and compiling a 4.88 earned-run average.

Freshman Josh Jensen (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) will provide a left-handed arm in the rotation for the Pioneers. His focus and skill shown during the fall season have put him into a position to be a competitive conference starter this spring.

A transfer from Montclair State, senior Kevin Wieme (Bayville, N.J./Paramus) has had experience in conference play and has the maturity to be able to toss solid innings this spring. Wieme made 21 appearances in three seasons for the Red Hawks.

Junior lefty Bryce Warden (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) has all of the tools and mechanics necessary to be a successful conference starter, and will need to maintain the intense focus he showed during the summer and fall of 2010.

RELIEF PITCHING
Junior righty Steve Coral (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) has transitioned from his role as a starter to becoming the Pioneers' closer. Coral's mental toughness, as well as unparalleled ability to field his position, have made him into a perfect candidate to close out games this spring.

After spending two seasons competing for the Pioneers in conference play, junior Dan Alcala (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) understands the importance of his role as set-up man. If Alcala proves he can get through the lineup multiple times, he may find a home in the starting rotation. 

Junior lefty Chris Mongelli (Riverdale, N.J./Pompton Lakes) has been sidelined for two years with a labrum tear, but is finally healthy enough to come out of the bullpen for the Pioneers. Mongelli had a productive fall and has proved his ability to locate and move his pitches to keep hitters off -balance.

Sophomore James Young (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) is growing into a better pitcher each day and is proving he can come out of the bullpen and get outs. Sophomore right-hander Greg Baker (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson Regional) has also been working on his mechanics, improvements that may allow him to provide productive innings for the Pioneers this spring.

Freshman Eric Villegas (Newark, N.J./Elizabeth) has shown good velocity and movement in his pitches throughout the fall and may develop into not only a conference middle-reliever, but also a non-conference starter.

Freshman Pete Savastano (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) has already shown the ability to handle pressure, has developed a sense of mental toughness and has shown great athleticism that will make him a quality closer. A 6-6 righty, freshman Matt Serra (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) has displayed great promise and talent. Freshman Ed Casiano (Garfield, N.J./Garfield) is a crafty right-hander who is coming off a productive fall and excellent senior season at Garfield High School.