The Collegian

Issue date: 2/19/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Hillsdale Athletic Department Baseball looks for a successful season with returning talent and incoming freshmen.

The Steelers were crowned Super Bowl Champions in early February, temperatures reached into the 50 degree range last week, and the West won the NBA All-Star game Sunday. Now, it's time to move on and start thinking about baseball again. The Charger baseball team is preparing to begin their spring play, starting with a trip to Indianapolis this week.

They are scheduled to play a double-header against Indianapolis University Saturday, although weather may cancel their plans.

Fifth-year senior Brandon Hubbard said it is difficult to remain focused when there is a high chance the trip will get canceled, but it is important they approach the weekend assuming they will play.

"It is supposed to be 22 degrees down there, but we have played in worse conditions," Hubbard said.

Head coach Paul Noce, in his 16th year at Hillsdale, agreed the important thing is just to "get outside and get two games in."

Noce listed several seniors whose leadership will be pivotal to success on and off the field this season. Hubbard, a team captain, has started at shortstop his entire career with the Chargers. Senior Jesse Smith, the other captain, was the team's leading hitter last year.

Of course, good defense and hitting are not the only characteristics of a winning team.

Pitching is just as important, and the Chargers are well-stocked in that category.

Look for senior Scott Monterastelli to be the ace of the pitching staff this season.

Right-hander senior Noah Turner is still recovering from a shoulder surgery last year which forced him to take a medical redshirt. According to Noce, he should be ready to take on a full workload as the number-two starter early in the season.

Hubbard is especially optimistic about the depth in the team's bullpen this year.

"This year our pitching will be the difference," Hubbard said. "I just feel like the amount of depth we have will be huge for us; it's going to keep us in games a lot longer."

According to Noce, the biggest addition to the bullpen will be junior Andrew Little. He is expected to be the closer for the team, an integral part of winning close games.

The Chargers finished with a 10-18 record in the GLIAC conference last season, but they have several reasons to believe they can improve their standings this year. Many of those reasons are in the sophomore class, said Little.

After having an off-season to condition and get stronger, the expectations are much higher for a group of players who were touted by Noce last season as part of the "best recruiting class in years."

Little was quick to acknowledge that "if they [the sophomores] come through, we will be much improved."

Charger baseball team is going to have to fight for every win this season. They are on the right path to success, but nothing will be handed to them in one of the strongest Division II baseball conferences in the country.

"In 7 of the last 10 years, a team from our region has gone to the [Division II] World Series," said Noce. "We are just hoping to build off a very competitive year last year -I'm definitely expecting us to be in every game. We are excited about this season."

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