Captains have big shoes to fill

The loss of a dominant player is never easy for any team. But when that player provided both senior leadership and could almost guarantee a victory every time he stepped on the mound, the task becomes a lot harder.

So the story of the Tufts baseball team is even more extreme. After the graduation of record-setting pitcher Jon Lee, as well as homerun king Evan Zupancic and standouts Dave Martin and Brian Shapiro, the ball club will look to senior co-captains Randy Newsom and Adam Kacamburas to fill the leadership gap as well as their shoes.

Fortunately for the Jumbos, these two are no lightweights themselves. Newsom was one of the most dominant pitchers in the NESCAC last year, leading the league with an ERA of 2.15 and being named to the 3rd Team All-New England. Yet due to Lee's departure and the graduation of number two pitcher Martin, Newsom will have to step into the role of ace.

"Newsom's as good as there is in this league, but he's got to go up against their best now," coach John Casey said. "It was a nice advantage having Newsom throwing the third game [of a series last season], because he was by far better than anyone else's three."

"There's a lot of pressure on Randy right now," freshman Aaron Narva added. "He has to be huge for us."

Kacamburas is looking to confirm his status as a bona fide offensive threat. After a career-high batting average of .321 last year and an on base percentage of .481, the Jumbos are expecting a big year from their third baseman.

"Kac was by far our best guy on base, his on base percentage was obscene," Casey said. "He's got to be a catalyst."

A former defensive back for the football team, senior Drew Blewett should provide speed and defensive stability in the outfield. Relief pitcher Dave Frew and infielder Nick Palange round out the Jumbos' graduating class.

However, the talent gap created by the departed players should be filled in part by a very strong group of freshmen. Tennessee native John Rothermel should contribute significantly in the outfield, and freshmen pitchers Narva and Ben Simon should see considerable time on the mound.

"Based upon the pure numbers alone, a lot of freshmen should be stepping up, although Rothermel looks particularly steady, and Narva has been working very hard," Newsom said.

Though last year's senior class may be impossible to replace, with the large amount of freshmen, and the talent and leadership of Newsom, Kacamburas and their fellow seniors, the Jumbos may have the skill to come close.