The outlook for the Babson College baseball team in 2004 seems promising. Coming off a 19-18 record in 2003, the squad returns a solid nucleus of veterans that has Head Coach Matt Noone, enthusiastic and optimistic about the new campaign, his second as skipper of the Beaver 9. Complementing the core of upperclassmen is a freshman contingent that during the fall season showed some ability to play the game.

As it does every year, the Beaver schedule features opponents that are among the best New England Division III teams. After a nine-game southern trip to the Clearwater area, Babson travels to Springfield on March 24 to face Western New England College. The next day is Opening Day at Govoni Field, with the Beavers entertaining Suffolk University, a game in which the Babson nine will be looking to make amends for last spring’s first-round ECAC tournament loss to the powerhouse Rams.   

Lost to graduation were shortstop Kevin Higa, catcher Joe Kehoe, first baseman/DH Brian Tartufo, centerfielder Matt Nolan, and hurlers Billy Fitzgerald, Dave Volante, and Joe Forte. Among Coach Noone’s toughest challenges is to replace Higa, who rewrote the record book during his four-year career, culminating with NEWMAC Player-of-the-Year and All-New England honors. Higa also received the 2003 Babson Senior Athlete Award.  

One reason for Coach Noone’s optimism lies with his veteran pitching staff. The mainstay of the mound corps is right-hander and team co-captain, Jason Kosow (Exeter NH – Exeter HS), who had a 1.64 ERA on his way to a 3-2 record in 2003. The fireballing senior hurled 5 complete games, averaged a strikeout per inning, and limited opposing batsmen to a .191 average over 55 innings. In Coach Noone’s words: “Jason is an important part of our team and, as much as we rely on him for his pitching, he is equally valuable with his leadership qualities.” Senior Jeff Heighington (Dracut MA – Phillips Academy Andover) looks to rebound from a 2-3, 6.80 ERA season last year and display his 2002 form, when the righty posted a 6-0 record with a 2.91 ERA. The 6-0 record stands as the best mound performance in Babson baseball history. Heighington will be called upon, as he has been in the past, to toe the rubber against the strongest teams on the Beaver schedule. Jimmy Burke (Milton MA – BC High), a junior, spent the 2003 season on the disabled list, the result of a pre-season leg injury. The right-hander’s return is a big boost to the pitching staff. Burke had a fine season as a freshman, when he won four games and had a 3.85 ERA. Senior righty Luke Delvecchio (Wellesley MA -- Wellesley HS) will again see plenty of action on the mound. In 2003, Luke went 3-3, with a 5.10 ERA, sharing the team lead in appearances (10) with Kosow, as well as registering the second-highest number of innings pitched, behind Kosow. The pitching staff is further strengthened by the presence of another senior, right-hander Jim Battista (Hingham MA – Hingham), who had six appearances in 2003. Jim will be used as both a spot-starter and reliever. Sophomore Tommy Fitzgerald (Scituate MA – BC High), younger brother of 2003 graduate, Billy, was 1-0 with a 3.57 ERA in his rookie season. The crafty southpaw will likely see more action on the hill in 2004. Adding depth to the mound corps are juniors Greg Axelrod (Darien CT – Darien HS) and Tim Grassey (Cohasset MA – Cohasset HS), and a trio of frosh in Brett Best (Yorktown NY – Lakeland HS), Nick Giobbi (Portland ME – Deering HS), and Tom Prykucki (Troy MI – Cranbrook Kingswood HS), all right-handers. The Beaver mound staff has also added portsider Sam Schaffer (Glastonbury CT – Glastonbury HS), a sophomore transfer from George Washington University.  Coach Noone states: “With these twelve pitchers, we have some good talent and are well armed going into our season. Pitching is always important, of course, but there is an added premium placed on having a deep staff, when a team plays so many games in such a short period of time, as we do here in New England Division III baseball.” 

The Beaver infield will have a mix of veterans and rookies, returning three of the four starting infielders from last year’s squad.  Phil McGinnis (Shrewsbury MA – St. John’s, Shrewsbury) anchors the infield at third base. The senior co-captain and four-year starter at the hot corner, recorded a .367 batting average, with 4 HR and 30 RBI. McGinnis was second on the team in base hits with 51 and third with 35 walks, on his way to compiling a .437 on-base percentage. “Phil’s work ethic sets the standard for the team,” says Noone, “and his competitive spirit has a solid impact on his teammates.”  Across the diamond is senior 1B Nate Laliberte (Saco ME – Thornton Academy) who is coming off a very productive junior campaign, in which he led the team in runs scored with 41.  Starting in all 37 games for the Beavers last year, Laliberte was also among the team leaders in batting average (.317), RBI (30), hits (44), and HR (3).  Matt Bigda (Shrewsbury MA – St. John’s, Shrewsbury) returns to the top of the Beaver’s lineup once again.  Bigda’s junior year was highlighted by an 18-game hitting streak, as he finished the season with a .295 batting average. With the loss of Higa, sure-handed SS/2B Chris Colli (Suffield CT – Suffield Academy) can expect his playing time to increase significantly.  Used primarily in a utility role last season, Colli sparked the team with his game-winning hit against Wentworth last season.  Overall, he had 5 hits in 12 at bats, for a .417 average.  After a productive fall season, freshmen SS Billy Schmitt (Fairview NJ – Cliffside Park HS) and 2B Matt Chatterton (Fall River MA – Durfee HS) will battle it out with Bigda and Colli for playing time.  Adding two left-handed bats and solid defensive play will make the tandem a crucial part of the Beavers success in the years to come.  Junior 3B Matt Walsh (Orange CT – Orange HS) and freshman 3B Ryan Campbell (Manchester NH – Trinity HS) both had strong fall seasons and will add to the depth at the infield position. 

Catcher Teddy Dziuba (Wayne NJ – Wayne Valley HS) emerged as an offensive force in his rookie season, leading the team in homers (6), slugging percentage (.664), and on-base percentage (.466).  His stellar season included hitting for the cycle against Clark.  The sophomore receiver will step into the starting catcher position following the departure of  Kehoe.  Senior Greg McGinnis (Fredericton New Brunswick – Choate Rosemary Hall), a member of the 2002 ECAC championship team, returns to the squad after sitting out last season.  McGinnis, also a varsity hockey player, brings his leadership, toughness, and experience to the team.  Sophomore Kyle Hammerschmidt (Lawrenceville NJ – The Lawrenceville School) will see time behind the dish, and also will likely see innings on the mound.  Sturdy freshman Joe McKay (Paxton MA – St. John’s, Shrewsbury) adds to the depth of the backstop position. 

Babson’s outfield also combines a group of experienced players with a developing group of freshmen.  Highlighting the returning players is senior OF Mike Muccio (Northboro MA – St. John’s, Shrewsbury), the Beavers' table-setter last season with a team-leading 27 walks, to go along with a .298 batting average.  The centerfielder, who was the Beaver soccer captain last fall, also belted 5 round-trippers, second-best on the Beaver squad to Dziuba.  Senior Dave Ballas (Hampden MA – Minnechaug HS) returns to the OF after limited playing time in 2003 in which he hit .256. Ballas posted a .420 on-base percentage with 11 walks in 50 plate appearances.  Senior DH/OF Keith Vera (Yarmouth MA – Dennis-Yarmouth HS) will again continue to be one of Babson’s top offensive players in 2004 after hitting .324 with 3 circuit clouts.  Junior Tyler Doehler (Lakeville MA – Taunton HS) will seek to get back his 2002 form in which he hit .354 with a .543 slugging percentage.  The sweet-swinging lefty hit .254 for the Beavers in 2003.  Sophomore flychaser Chris Mearn (Milton MA – Phillips Academy Exeter) will again be a significant contributor to the Beaver offense and defense.  The athletic Mearn started in 15 games as a freshman, contributing his speed in rightfield and centerfield, as well as on the basepaths with 3 steals in 3 attempts.  A pair of newcomers, Billy Lucas (Atlanta GA – Lovett HS) and Jay Alberino (Marblehead MA – Marblehead HS) should figure into the OF mix as well. 

Despite losing several key seniors and facing top opponents, Babson will once again field a hard-working squad that promises to be a strong competitor for the NEWMAC title in 2004.