Feb. 27, 2008

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - Following the retirement of legendary head coach Irish O'Reilly, the Lewis University baseball team will have a new skipper in the dugout for the first time in 30 years. First-year head coach Tim McDonough is excited about building upon the legacy of the past while creating a new winning tradition.

"To follow in the tradition that's been developed here at Lewis is a tremendous opportunity," McDonough said. "I'm going to hold true to that legacy while setting my own goals and vision for the program."

McDonough spent the past five seasons as the top assistant at Northern Illinois University, where he served as the program's recruiting coordinator and hitting instructor. He also was an assistant at Kishwaukee Community College and North Central College.

"Looking toward this year, I'm of the Joe Torre mindset. You have to have the goal of winning the league and getting into the postseason tournament. But we're going to be successful this season if we work hard each and every day to improve," McDonough said. "If we're getting better, the results will come and the wins and losses will take care of themselves."

The 2008 roster features 10 seniors, five juniors, six sophomores and six freshmen. Pitching coach Chris Carlsen is also entering his first season at Lewis University. Carlsen spent three previous seasons at Winona State where he helped lower the team ERA each season.

PITCHING

The Flyers return an experienced pitching staff for the 2008 season. Leading the staff will be senior Jon Guzzo. The lefty led the staff in complete games (5), opposing batting average (.229), innings pitched (67.2) and strikeouts (50) last year.

"We're going to count on Guzzo as a No. 1 starter. He has good velocity and good off-speed stuff," Carlsen said. "He will be successful if he is around the plate."

Senior Adam Stabosz is another Flyer with significant experience. He started 19 games over the past two seasons.

"Adam is probably the most mature pitcher on the roster. He is a great leader on and off the field and will be counted on for heavy innings," Carlsen said. "He had good off-speed stuff during the fall but will need to mix it up and change speeds to be successful."

Senior Ryan Duran threw two complete games in his seven starts last year.

"Ryan is a great athlete on the hill and very sound mechanically," Carlsen said. "His ball moves quite a bit and he is probably our filthiest pitcher. We'll need to harness that around the zone."

Senior Tim Harmatys started ten games last season and threw a shutout, allowing no hits and striking out two, in a 3-0 victory over Rockhurst.

"Tim is our crafty right hander, moving the ball up and down and hitting spots," Carlsen said. "He has command of his pitches and can put them where he wants."

Senior Jon Crettol led the team with 15 appearances last season, including three starts.

"Jon is a wild card for us. He can be a starter, closer or fill other roles," Carlsen said. "He has a great breaking ball, a developing changeup and with command can be an effective three pitch pitcher."

While the starting rotation will rely on experience, the bullpen will be made up of primarily underclassmen. Sophomore Chris Williams will likely take on the setup role for the Flyers.

"Chris busted his tail in the fall," Carlsen said. "He has good movement but will need to be able to locate his pitches. If he can do that he will be a quality arm for us."

Freshmen Charles Gille and Mike Vucsko will see time on the mound. Gille attended Rockford Boylan High School and Vucsko went to Marist.

"Charles is a hard-nosed kid and a fierce competitor on the mound," Carlsen said. "He isn't afraid of anything and with a little polish can be a good collegiate pitcher."

Vucsko, at just 5-8, will also look to make an impact this year.

"Don't be fooled by his size, Mike can bring it," Carlsen said. "He changes speeds well, has good movement and is a tough little competitor."

According to McDonough, Vuckso isn't the only freshman he expects to see time this year. Richard Forkin has earned some at-bats from his time in the fall. Ben Stephen may not see much time this year at shortstop due to the experienced Smith holding down the position, but he may be groomed to replace Smith down the line. Ryan Koerner from LeRoy, Ill., may see time at both pitcher and in the field.

INFIELD

Juniors Tim Bingham and Ryan Reynolds will split time at first base. Reynolds brings the most experience, starting 41 games at the position last year. Bingham had 33 starts at five different positions including ten at first base.

"Bingham can make the ball go a long way when he makes contact," McDonough said. "He has great power potential, especially with the conference's switch back to metal bats.

"Reynolds has the experience at this level but his bat will determine how much playing time he gets," McDonough said.

Look for junior Chris Brigham and Vucsko compete for time at second base. Brigham started 15 games at second base last year and showed an ability to get on base. He led the team in walks with 21 and his .386 on base percentage was second.

"Chris brings the most experience. He is comfortable defensively and offensively, he can bunt, hit and run and do the little things we need," McDonough said. "He's smart and can be a coach on the field."

Vucsko is pushing for time at second in addition to on the mound.

"Mike is a leadoff type guy who can bunt and brings speed. He is a lunch-pail type guy, a scrapper," McDonough said. "He has played shortstop before so the transition to second should be a good one for him."

Senior Brian Clancy and junior Jeffrey Ithal will battle for time at the hot corner. Clancy is a versatile player who started at five positions last year.

"Brian has great energy and wills himself to be good. He is a baseball rat and real student of the game," McDonough said. "He doesn't try to do more than he can and is a solid senior leader on the field."

Ithal comes to Lewis as a transfer from MacMurray College (Jacksonville, Ill.).

"Jeff has the potential to be a little more of a power hitter than Brian," McDonough said. "He is more of a prototypical third baseman and has a solid understanding of the position."

Senior Mike Smith will be the Flyers' linchpin up the middle. He brings two seasons of starting at shortstop including all 55 games last year. The senior led the team with 25 RBI, .390 slugging percentage and three home runs in 2007.

"Mike is going to be counted on to be our everyday leader. He is a middle-of-the-order guy for us and can be a big run producer," McDonough said. "He can really drive the ball and is probably our best candidate for all conference."

OUTFIELD

The Flyers return experienced players at all three outfield positions. Look for senior Billy Duffy to hold down left field for a second straight season. Other than Smith, Duffy was the only Flyer to start all 55 games last season. He was the Flyers' primary leadoff hitter in 2006, but last year he moved into the heart of the order and hit a team high .337 with 66 hits.

"Billy will hit in the middle of the lineup but he is not a home run guy. He can take it to the opposite field and doesn't strikeout too much," McDonough said. "He has good bat control, steals bases and is one of our better all around athletes."

Senior Bryan Druktenis will start in right field. Druktenis' senior season will be his second at Lewis after transferring from Saint Xavier following his sophomore season. Last year Druktenis made 47 starts in right, recording 37 hits and scoring 12 runs.

"Bryan will be a run producer in the middle of the order for us. He has the ability to hit the ball out of the park and hopefully he will be a doubles machine," McDonough said. "He is our most mature hitter who works counts to get his pitch to hit."

Sophomore Ryan McManaman returns in center after starting 53 games as a freshman. He led the team in stolen bases with nine and was second on the team in walks with 17.

"He had to learn on the job last year. I'm optimistic because typically you see the biggest improvement from the freshman to sophomore year as the game slows down," McDonough said. "He is a strong center fielder with a good arm. He is a solid college athlete."

CATCHER

It will be a battle behind the plate between junior Chris McCall, sophomores Joe Carbone and Michael Fedoruk. McCall is a transfer from the College of Dupage.

"Chris is an offensive threat and can swing the bat at this level," McDonough said. "It will be a matter of getting Chris adjusted to the pitching staff and the jump from junior college."

Carbone has the most experience of all the catchers on the roster. Last season he started 20 games and showed he can get on base, notching a .368 on base percentage.

"He is one of those blue collar type guys that I like. He takes counts and getting on base," McDonough said. "Defensively Joe brings the strongest arm of all the catchers."

Fedoruk started two games last season but will get a chance according to McDonough.

"Michael is the best receiving catcher of the bunch. He works well with pitching staff, and is more of a defensive-minded catcher," McDonough said. "He has the most accurate arm of all our catchers."

No matter who is out there McDonough feels good about the position.

"I think all three of our catchers make up a very good one," McDonough said. "I think we have leaders and I feel comfortable about the position. We just need to get into the season to iron out how we'll work it."

SCHEDULE

The Flyers open the 2008 season with a trip to Port Charlotte, Fla. Highlighting the trip will be games against region foes Gannon and Hillsdale. In addition, they will get a look at Great Lakes Valley Conference rival Rockhurst in non-conference game in Fort Myers, Fla. Lewis also has two games on the schedule against Division I Chicago State. Once the conference slate begins the Flyers can expect the typical strong competition the GLVC brings.

"The GLVC is a tremendous athletic conference, but especially in baseball. It has a great track record in postseason success and opportunities in the pros," McDonough said. "It's certainly one of the top three conferences in Division II."

No matter who is in the opposing dugout, McDonough is excited about the future of baseball at Lewis.

"This is a great academic institution and its baseball program is just one piece of a long history of athletic success," McDonough said. "With the leadership and support of Brother James Gaffney, Wayne Draudt and Dan Schumacher I couldn't be more excited about this season and the future at Lewis."