Hoping to ride the momentum of a five game winning streak which ended the 1988 fall campaign, Mary Washington enters the spring season with a team loaded with freshmen - and with optimism.
In its second year of existence, MWC baseball has taken great strides. The Eagles were 11-14-1 last year, and a perfect 8-0 in Blue-Grey Conference play to capture the title. The growth has continued, as evidenced by a number of fine team and individual performances last fall. The Eagles opened the autumn slate by scoring 11 runs against a perennially strong Division I team in James Madison. They continued to hit and began to develop in the field as well, especially on the mound. Freshman Joe Kruper recorded complete-game victories over Maryland (5-3) from the ACC and Bridgewater (5-4), defending ODAC champions. Kruper will team with Chip Walker, Evan Stiles and Lance Whitesel to give MWC a talented four-man rotation. Pete Meberg, Mannin Dodd, Mike O'Donnell and Bill Duncan will also contribute to key situations.
An all-freshman infield is probably the strength of the team, according to head coach Tom Sheridan. Third baseman Marty McConagha paced MWC with a .545 average last fall, while shortstop Ray Stapleton hit .379. Kruper, also a second baseman, batted .371, and first sacker Rob Menefee led the Eagles with 12 RBIs. Doug Flamm (.357 last fall) will vie for a starting nod at short or second, and Dave Haun (.539 in fall) is also a proven second baseman. Backup first baseman Eric Stephan is the team's top long-ball threat, and James Madison transfer Dan Beverly is a proven left-handed batter who will push for time at first base and on the mound.
Freshmen Walker, Darrin Cassedy (.452 in the fall), Kenny Gates and sophomore Charlie Miller will battle for the three outfield slots. The top hitter among outfielders, Cassedy delivered
two game-winning doubles late last fall while Miller is an outstanding defensive centerfielder. Freshman Dan Canfield also has shown promise.
Mark Meberg, another freshman, has developed into a fine defensive catcher and will open the season as the starter. Ken Gates and David Bradie are quality backups.
"Our freshmen are being counted on to carry the team," said Sheridan, who added that six or seven starters this spring will be first-year players. "We'll try to run more and be aggressive on the basepaths, and we'll definitely be improved from last year because of stronger pitching and defense. Our depth will make our team more flexible, especially with the pitching staff."
Mary Washington opens the spring season on the road against Catholic University Feb. 25. A tough six-game stretch to begin 1989 includes VMI and Bridgewater.