Pioneer Baseball Looks For Its Best Season in 2007
Lauren Schreiner
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Sports
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Before coming to UC last season, Buckalew had a successful six-year stint as the assistant head coach a nationally-ranked Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, N.J. During his tenure at Brookdale, Buckalew played a part in five Garden State Athletic Conference Titles, two Region 19 Championships and two trips to the Junior College World Series in Millington, Tenn.
"I am truly excited about this coming season for a number of reasons," Buckalew said. "On a personal level, this will be my first year as the head coach and I look forward to that challenge every day. As a coach, the excitement comes from watching the players develop on a daily basis. As a baseball fan, I'm just excited to hear the greatest two words in the English language, 'Play Ball.'"
Leading the team this year will be senior captains Justin Richards and John Tine and junior captain Rich Hamlin.
Tine was last season's team MVP. He led the Pioneers in almost every offensive category. Tine had a career high of nine homeruns in only 35 games and will be moved from catcher to third base.
"John hits for average and power with the ability to spray the ball to all fields with authority," said Buckalew.
Other top returnees for the Pioneers include Geoff Stewart, Corey Rando and Matt Doscher. Stewart will be the everyday catcher after having a great season in '06. Rando is the Pioneers ace pitcher and has held that role since his freshman year. Doscher, the starting shortstop for the past four years, will be looked upon to anchor the infield. At the plate, Doscher is a prototypical No. 2 hitter that makes solid contact.
New to the 2007 roster are top recruits Anthony Gurdo and Michael Gibbons.
Gurdo is a right-handed pitcher from Clinton High School. Gurdo will be used primarily as a closer this season and will be pitted against conference teams right off the bat. "He has excellent command of all his pitches and is an extremely smart ball player," Buckalew said.
Gibbons is a right-handed pitcher from Waterville high school. Gibbons is a solid two-way player with great hands at second base and a steady bat at the plate. "Mike will see time in the set-up role on the mound and his versatility in the field makes him a great asset to the team," said Buckalew.
"We only have one goal as a team for 2007 season and that is to play our best game possible every time out. The wins and losses will take care of themselves but if we can challenge ourselves to be at our best day in and day out, then we will have met our goal," Buckalew said.
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