United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics - Baseball

Coast Guard returns a veteran group which will look to finish above .500 for the first time since the 2002 season. The Bears return five of their top seven hitters and three of their top four pitchers from a team which advanced to the semifinals of the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) tournament for the seventh time in eight years despite posting a 2-10 regular season record in conference play and a 11-18 mark overall.

Senior tri-captain Will Becker is back to anchor the pitching staff. Becker, a second-team All-conference selection last season, was 5-1 with a team-best 2.29 ERA while also leading the team with 41 strikeouts.

Junior Pete Schofield (2-2, 5.12) will be the Bears #2 starter this season. He became a key part of the rotation last season. Senior Adam Reckley (1-1, 4.22), who made seven appearances in relief last season, will be the third starter this season.

“Our top three pitchers will be the key to our season, no question about it,” said head coach C.C Grant. “Will had a great season last year and I expect another solid year from him while Pete and Adam give us a solid top of the rotation, I really like our top three.”

Junior Kevin Thomas (0-6, 8.24) along with freshmen Jesse Karr and Mike Ahlin will compete for time in the rotation and also work out of the bullpen this season. Sophomore Liam Adams and senior Brian Lisko will also add depth to the Bears pitching.

“Im excited to see what will happen with our fourth and fifth pitching spots,” said Grant. “It’s time for Kevin to step it up while the two freshmen will get an opportunity to show what they can do.”

Offensively, the Bears must replace all-time hit leader Chuck Arena, who had a career .353 average and played a solid centerfield.

“You can’t replace a player like Chuck, who was a four-year starter, a hit machine and was a tremendous outfielder,” said Grant. “Those are some big shoes to fill.”

Reckley (.326), Lisko (.310) and senior tri-captain Christian George (.284) are the top three returning hitters this season. Lisko led the team last year with eight doubles and 26 RBI’s while George, a second-team All-conference selection, was tops with 26 runs scored and eight stolen bases.

The Bears return a solid infield with senior Kevin Higgins (.242) at first base, Lisko at second base, George at shortstop and senior tri-captain Ken Franklin, who played mostly at first base last season, making the move to third. Junior Kevin Keefe and sophomore Keith Laird (.277) will split the catching duties this season. Junior Brian Yurovich, will backup at first base and see time as the designated hitter.

Reckley moves from left to center field while four players, juniors Steven Lewis (.300) and Bill Birch along with sophomores Ryan Milligan and Steve Arguelles, will compete for time at the corner outfield spots.

Birch could be one of the most valuable players for the Bears this season, as he will also backup at shortstop and third base. Sophomore John Jeffares, who was impressive in the preseason, will backup at second base.

“As a team, we are looking to be in contention for a spot in the ECAC Tournament at the end of the season,” said Grant. “I think this team is capable of having the type of season that could end with a postseason berth.”