The Fenwick baseball team was sailing along last season when probably the two ugliest words this side of crippling injuries crept into its baseball vernacular-losing streak.
Off to a promising start highlighted by a 10-2 record and a No. 9 ranking in the state polls, the Friars suddenly went on a totally unexpected 10-game skid en route to an erratic 17-19 campaign. For head coach Dave Hogan, who enters his 28th season of coaching having pretty much seen it all, “the streak” was about as explicable as an X-Files episode.
“Everything that could go wrong went wrong during that streak [last season],” Hogan said. “It wasn’t like the kids weren’t trying. It was frustrating and aggravating.”
To the Friars’ credit, they rebounded well by winning their regional playoff with a 3-2 win over Whitney Young before bowing out to eventual state runner-up St. Patrick 5-2 in a sectional semifinal game.
Fenwick continued to build momentum for this season by winning 19 of 23 games during a splendid summer campaign.
Ever the optimist, Hogan is confident that the Friars will avoid anything close to last year’s puzzling midseason swoon, thanks in large part to a solid core of versatile players.
The X-factor to eliminating anymore unidentified losing streaks might be the Friars’ quartet of left-handed starting pitchers. Senior southpaws Brian O’Connor, Marty Dunbar and Mike Roche will team up with junior lefty Dan Pullega to spearhead what Hogan terms as a “pitching by committee” approach this season.
“I’ve always felt there is a bit of a psychological edge with a left-handed pitcher especially at the high school level,” Hogan said. “Our pitchers have nice variety. Whether it’s a changeup or forkball, they all have quality second and third pitches.”
Newman Delany, a three-sport star, will provide some balance on the mound as a starting right-hander. Brien Rooney, a returning all-conference player, will patrol centerfield and possesses a lively bat. Rooney, who enjoyed a tremendous football season as the Friars’ starting quarterback, brings comparable talent and leadership skills to the baseball diamond. Colin Tobin and Brian Moore are the projected starting corner outfielders. Senior Chris Rosemeyer and sophomore Cam Verbeke also figure into the Friars’ outfield plans.
Fenwick has the luxury of good depth in the infield. Rob Bak, Pat Mulhern and O’Connor all could see action at first base, while Conor Real, Dave Morales and Mike Stephani will vie for playing time at second. On the left side, Dan Walsh and Joe Ketcik are the top candidates at third. Reid Rooney solidifies the infield as the starting shortstop.
At catcher, the Friars are very excited about the monster potential of sophomore Mike Falsetti, who is already receiving interest from the college level. Hogan feels he has the tools to be an All-state catcher. Junior Steve Puizsis will serve as a backup catcher and the team’s designated hitter.
Coming off a fifth place finish in the Catholic League, the Friars will once again face stiff competition from St. Rita, Brother Rice, Loyola, St. Ignatius and Providence. Based off a successful summer season, St. Rita appears to be the preseason favorite.
“The Catholic League has great depth as usual,” Hogan said. “We will all battle it out with each other.”
Weather permitting, the Friars will visit St. Francis De Sales today and Von Steuben tomorrow for single games that both start at 4 p.m.. Fenwick returns home to the Priory for nonconference tilts Friday against Foreman (4 p.m.) and Saturday against Whitney Young (11 a.m.).
