Corning off one of its best seasons ever in 1997, last spring 's MWC baseball team had big shoes to fill in order to make a return trip to the NCAA Division III National Tournament. Gone from the '97 team were first team All-American pitcher Jeff Hootselle, All-American outfielder Jin Wong, and school season RBI record-holder, Nathan Payne. Despite the daunting task of replacing these three decorated players, the Eagles set out to reclaim the Capital Athletic Conference championship and return to the NCAA's.
Rather than rebuild, the Eagles reloaded, running away with the CAC title, finishing with a 26- 12 record and claiming a spot in the Mideast Regional of the NCAA Tournament. Leading the offense were junior infielders Adam Natysin and Eric Guyton. Natysin claimed third team All-America honors at shortstop after posting a .432 average and setting school season records for hits (67), runs (50), at bats (155), and total bases (103). Guyton, who was named the NCAA National Player of the Week for the week of April 20, set an NCAA Division III record by hitting safely in eleven straight at bats, and hit .478 with eight home runs and 39 RBI for the year.
Other offensive stalwarts included All-Region second baseman Chris Kenney, who tied Payne's school mark with 43 RBI, and batted .364 on the year, all conference out fielders Matt White (.365, 3 HR, 30 RBI), Aaron Vradenburgh (.368, 3 HR, 33 RBI) and Tad St. Clair (.348, 3 HR, 34 RBI). Jay Montepare settled as the team's starter at third base, and hit .344, which was eighty-four points higher than his total in ’97.
Brad Poole batted .319 as the designated hitter, with six home runs and 24 RBI; catchers Jeff Onze, Brendan Eygabroat, and Mike Santay combined for 38 hits and 34 runs scored. Infielder Brian Sabatelli also wielded a strong bat, with a .274 average two home runs and 17 RBI. Infielder Chris Crabbe batted .273 with 15 RBI. Others competing for playing time in 1999 will be infielders Billy Humphries, Steve Hastings, Jay Johnston, and outfielder Ryan Kaye.
The Eagles pitching staff collectively had to pick up for the loss of Hootselle to the Philadelphia Phillies organization, and responded with a group effort that ended up with a team ERA of 3.50 (8th in the nation) and an opponents' batting average of .253. Staff ace Kevin Losty ended his career at MWC with a team-high seven wins, striking out 47 batters in 15 appearances en route to All-CAC and All-State honors. Rising junior Tony Saitta claimed honorable mention All-Region thanks to-a 6-2 record and just eight walks in seventy innings of work. Lefty Jeff Sheldon went 5-1 with a 2.83 ERA, and rising soph Mike Parker was 4-2 with a 2.68 ERA. Reliever/spot starter BJ Belcher was 3- 2 with a 3.55 ERA and had 39 strikeouts in 38 innings of service. Returners for 1998 also include Dan Arias and Eric Dorman, who each had ERA's under 2.00 in limited innings.
Unlike the 1997 team that shattered most of the school 's pitching records, last year's team set or tied 16 team and in dividual hitting records, including highest team season batting average (.356), most runs (346), and most hits (452). With the loss of just two seniors to graduation and an equally impressive schedule and roster, MWC will strive to raise the bar again in 1999.