SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - The LIU Brooklyn baseball team will open the 2016 season this weekend on the road, taking on the University of Incarnate Word in a three game series, Friday, February 19 to Sunday, February 21. This weekend's matchup is the season opener for both squads.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, February 19 - 6:30 p.m. CT
RHP Fr. Bernie Martinez vs. RHP Sr. Brian Drapeau
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Saturday, February 20 - 3 p.m. CT
LHP Fr. Denson Hull vs. LHP Jr. Evan Flood
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Sunday, February 21 - 1 p.m. CT
RHP Fr. Jake Bedevian vs. RHP R-So. Baylor LaPointe
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BLACKBIRDS BREAKDOWN
LIU begins the 2016 season with eight returning starters in the field, five starting pitchers and 19 total letter winners from last year's squad that finished 16-35 overall, and 9-15 in Northeast Conference play. The Blackbirds have also added 11 new faces to the roster under second-year head coach Alex Trezza, and were picked to finish fifth in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll
Infield
Two experienced upperclassmen will anchor LIU's infield this season, with second-team All-NEC junior Mark Hernandez at first base, and junior captain Charles Misiano at second. A top hitter for the Blackbirds, Hernandez finished fourth in the conference in RBI, driving in 39 runs this season. He was also seventh in the conference in doubles (13). Misiano was one of the top base runners in the conference, coming in fifth overall with 14 stolen bases. The Blackbirds also have returners Dom Paiotti and Andrew Turner in the mix, and three freshmen in Andrew Smith, Kyle Ruth and Luis Arias de los Santos who will add depth for LIU on defense.
Outfield
The Blackbirds have a wealth of riches in the outfield, starting with first team All-NEC selection and team captain, junior Tommy Jakubowski. Jakubowski led LIU in nearly every offensive category and proved to be one of the best hitters in the conference. He led the NEC in both triples (6) and stolen bases (18), and finished fourth in the NEC in hits (60), and total bases (94). The West Deptford, N.J. native was also in the top ten in the league in several other categories, finishing seventh in batting average (.337), slugging percentage (.528), runs scored (37) and doubles (13). Four upperclassmen offer experience in the outfield, including seniors Brian Lamboy, Luis Rios and John Knauth, and junior Anthony Capo, who started 41 games last season. Freshmen William Jackson III and Joe Mercadante will also make a play for starting spots this spring.
Pitching/Catching
LIU returns a veteran staff on the mound, and has added some crucial depth. The pitching squad will be led by senior co-captain Brian Drapeau and second team All-NEC junior Bobby Maxwell. Drapeau led the squad, and was second in the NEC, with 60 strikeouts last year in 14 starts. Maxwell finished sixth in the NEC in ERA (3.69), and opposing batting average (.262). He finished the season with a 5-3 record on the mound in 10 games started, and led LIU with six complete-game performances, including a shutout win over Central Connecticut in the final weekend of conference play. Senior Vincent Tranchina and Chas Lacko will bring experience to the mound, along with juniors Evan Flood, Nick Freijomil and Matt Ornstein, and sophomore Cory Hart. Newcomers Mike Kreiger, Anthony Rupp, Matt Bohenek and sophomore transfer Baylor LaPointe will add depth for the Blackbirds. LaPointe, who transferred from UConn Avery Point, will get a start this weekend for LIU, mixing up the rotation right from the get-go.
Behind the plate, the Blackbirds have three options in junior Harrison Preschel, and freshman Edward Modica Jr. and Andy Camilo, along with utility player and senior Nate Struss.
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
The Blackbirds will open against an Incarnate Word squad that is only in its third season as a Division I baseball program. The Cardinals went 21-33 last year, and 11-19 in the Southland Conference. UIW is a young squad, with 14 freshmen on the roster, including all three starters on the mound this weekend. Senior infielder Matt Morris is a top returner for the Cardinals, as he led the team last year in doubles (15), total bases (85), walks (23), was tied for the team-lead in hits (54) and also had the team's second highest RBI's (26).
The two teams also faced off early in the season in 2014. In that four-game series, the Blackbirds took three of four, winning 5-3, 9-7 and 9-2, before losing the series finale, 5-1.