Veterans to carry young pitching staff

With its first game just three weeks away against Lynchburg College in Virginia, the baseball team is sizing up its defensive strengths and weaknesses, especially on its pitching staff.

Last season, Tufts had one of the top pitching staffs in the NESCAC. The Jumbos led the league in earned run average at 3.43, finished tied for second in wins with 21, and ranked fourth in total strikeouts with 164.

This season, however, the Jumbos will not have their key senior pitchers from last season, namely Jon Lee, Dave Martin, Mike Byron, and closer Brian Shapiro. With seven freshman and sophomore pitchers, this season's staff lacks much of the experience the Jumbos had last year.

Although Tufts has a young pitching core, coaches and players are counting on veteran players to lead the team and take the pressure off of the younger players. Leading the way will be senior co-captain Randy Newsom, classmate Dave Frew, juniors Jeremy Davis and Jeff Volinski, and sophomore Erik Johanson. Coach John Casey acknowledges the loss of some key pitchers from last season, but has high expectations of his current veteran pitchers and their ability to carry their younger counterparts.

"You always have to replace guys...It's all relative," Casey said. "I don't feel bad about our pitching staff. We've got some young arms, but they're good. I think we'll be fine. Newsom's as good as there is in this league, but he's got to go up against [opposing teams'] best now. Davis is ready to go, he's throwing well [too]."

The players also hold high expectations of themselves. Newsom, who led the team in ERA last season (2.15), feels that the high standards set by the last year's veterans are still intact.

"It's not good enough to be good, we want to be great," Newsom said. "The veteran pitchers from last season instilled this winning attitude in our staff and we expect to carry on this attitude throughout the season. I'd like to win the NESCAC tournament."

Davis feels the team's strength is in its pitching staff and its leadership, which he believes will rub off on all the players.

"The strongest part of the team is pitching," Davis said. "We have high expectations, and our veteran leadership will anchor the team and make the younger pitchers feel comfortable in tight situations."

According to Newsom, the young pitchers are very talented and can contribute to the team if they continue to work hard. With the support of the veteran players, the young guns should have no problem being comfortable in game situations. Newsom is also confident in the experience of his veteran peers, who he believes have made great improvements on their games in the off-season.

"Davis and Johanson have made huge improvements since last season," Newsom said. "Frew and Volinski have also made improvements, and have stepped up in big situations in tight games to carry the team. If they continue to play well, we will do some damage in the league."

In terms of catching, Casey has a few options. Junior Bob Kenny will return as starting catcher. Sophomore Josh Ludmer, who was backup last season is hurt and will not play immediately, but classmate Ben Chang, a transfer from Ohio Wesleyan, and freshman Chris Decembrele could both see some time.

According to Newsom and Davis, Tufts' first series against Lynchburg in Virginia will reveal a lot about the pitching staff and serve as a basis for what they have to work on throughout the season.