Baseball Previews

CARMEL - The loss of speedy leadoff hitter John Kiechle, as well as Sal Palmiero and Frank Nagel, will be something the Carmel High baseball team will have to overcome. But with six position starters returning to the lineup, as well as two solid pitchers in Mike Volpe and Zach Graczyk, the Rams are looking to be a tough out this spring.

Carmel hurler Mike Volpe Here's a look at this year's squad TEAM - Carmel Rams baseball

COACH - Bob Shilling, 22nd year

LAST YEAR'S RECORD/FINISH - 12-13, lost in sectional first round to Mamaroneck (eventual state champ)

WHAT'S EXCITING ABOUT THIS TEAM? - "I think having our pitchers and catcher, our middle infielders and our center fielder all back - so we're strong up the middle," Shilling said. "And this is a nice group. I like the personality of the team. We have 12 seniors, and they're all close. Hopefully that turns into something good."

RETURNING VETERANS - Nick Denapoli (senior, C), Colin Burns (senior, C/1B), Jeremy Lovera (senior, SS), Jim Ferriera (senior, IF), Jake Bell (senior, RHP), Evan Hoffman (senior, RHP), Justin Christiansen (senior, RHP), Mike Volpe (senior, RHP), Zach Graczyk (senior, RHP/CF), Matt Kelly (senior, OF), Jason Jones (senior, OF), Jared Shoemaker (senior, OF), Ryan Shilling (junior, 2B)

KEY NEWCOMERS - Ian Anderson (junior, 3B/RHP), Gaston Rojas (junior, OF), Bret Viola (freshman, OF/LHP), Mike Rooney (junior, OF), Chris Pompa (junior, OF), Estlin Link (junior, RHP), Mike Weltman (senior, 1B), Chris Harlin (junior, 2B)

LEAGUE - 1-C includes Carmel, Mahopac, John Jay EF, Arlington and RCK. Shilling, whose Rams went 3-9 in this tough league last season, knows how difficult the competition is - but also knows it gets teams playoffready. "I think we can compete for the league," he said. "The last four years we've struggled in the league. We definitely want to improve on last year's league mark. If you can compete in this league, you can compete with anybody."

OUTLOOK - The Rams will look to Volpe, Graczyk and newcomer Anderson to anchor the staff, and have other arms ready to go behind them. "Volpe is one of the top pitchers in the section," Shilling said. "And Graczyk can be one of the top pitchers... Anderson was pretty dominant on the JV last year. Then we've got Hoffman, Bell and Christiansen. I think our one and two should keep us in most games. Pitching is probably our strength. Offensively, right now we have some guys hitting, but we need all nine. And we have to play defense. Our middle is strong defensively, and we're looking for two corner outfielders to step up."

Carmel travels to Lincoln today (Thursday) for a 3:45 game, visits John Jay EF Friday at 4:15 p.m., and hosts Roosevelt Saturday at 11 a.m.