Last season, Reid Rooney led the Fenwick baseball team in nearly every statistical category. The 6-foot-3-inch shortstop is likely to get some competition from his fellow teammates this season.
Rooney, a senior headed to play at Central Michigan next year, is just one of six returning position starters from last season. The Friars didn’t exactly wow fans last year, finishing 19-16 overall after a 3-2 loss to Guerin Prep in the sectional semifinals. But the team sprung to life in the off-season, rolling to a 22-4 IHBCA Summer League mark and finishing runner-up to Sandburg in the summer state finals.
Add in the fact that Dave Hogan will reach the 600-career win plateau in his 29th-year as skipper of the program, and this could be the season of great things for the Friars.
“I’m excited about the possibilities this season. This team has a great work ethic and there’s a lot of maturity,” said Hogan, who currently holds a 597-296 career coaching record going into this season. “I’ve got a really good feeling about this team.”
Rooney batted to a .373 clip last season, then hit .410 over the summer. But Rooney isn’t the only power hitter returning for the Friars. Other sluggers back include Rob Bak (.385 batting avg. over summer), Mike Stephany (.356 last season) and Mike Falsetti. All are expected to make up for the loss of Dan Walsh, who last season led the Friars with 27 RBIs before moving on to Yale.
Fenwick’s outfield is solidified with veterans in Brian Moore (right field), Colin Tobin (center field), and Will Darley (left field). Junior Cam Verbeke and seniors Joe Sweeney and John Hurley, will rotate as starting pitchers for the Friars. Verbeke went 4-2 last season, while Sweeney pitched to a 2-1 mark. Two juniors expected to provide relief are lefties Myles O’Donnell and Mike Lanan.
Stephen Puiszis returns to the team this season with a clean bill of health. Puiszis, a senior, sat out last season after being diagnosed with a serious blood clot in his chest. Puiszis, who underwent nine hours of surgery last year, is likely to take on designated hitter duties.
Others expected to contribute this season include Matt Gallo (outfielder), Joe Musso (outfielder), Mike Loni (middle infielder), Andy Lutz (middle infielder), and Gino Rooney (third base).
As strong as the Friars are this season, they’ll need every ounce of their brawn to battle their opponents in the Chicago Catholic League. Mt. Carmel, Providence, St. Rita and Brother Rice are all expected to be vying for the top spot along with Fenwick. Brother Rice returns most of its team from a third-place finish in the Class AA State Tournament last season. St. Rita made it to the Class AA State Quarterfinals last year.
Fenwick is scheduled to host Foreman Friday at the Dominican Priory in River Forest (4 p.m.). The Friars take on cross-town rival OPRF in non-conference action on May 9.