Bears Hope to Ride Strong Pitching

BREWSTER—With most of the starting lineup from last year’s 14-8 team returning, Brewster baseball manager Ed Mulvihill believes the 2010 Bears have the pieces they need to enjoy success this spring.

Chris Byrnes SKIP PEARLMAN The trick just might be in putting those pieces together.

Mulvihill, like many high school coaches, is currently working on bringing his players together, working to create a chemistry, a camaraderie, among seniors and underclassmen. With two large groups – one seniors, the other juniors, Mulvihill has his work cut out for him.

“I think the potential is there,” Mulvihill said when asked about improving on last year’s record. “Right now, we’re trying to find our chemistry… We have eight seniors and nine juniors. If we can blend them, and get guys to play to their potential, we’ll be right in the thick of things. We have good depth, and four or five pitchers. There’s good competition there, and they’ll keep us in games. We have a lot of question marks on offense, but defensively we look OK. I think we’ll be strong up the middle.”

Brewster will be without the services of All-Section pitcher Ryan Carter, gone to graduation.

But the Bears bring back six of nine position starters. That group includes seniors Mike Blank (OF), Sean Trainor (OF/P), Brian McNamara (P/IF), Steve Coleman (IF) and Scott Sheppard (captain, IF), and juniors Chris Byrnes (captain, All-Section HM/All-League P/IF), Adriel Barnes (C) and Ryan Winch (IF).

Returning players include seniors Dan Cerone (P), Steve Coleman (IF), Vin Serrecchia (OF) and Tyler Hanson (OF).

Joining the Bears varsity this spring are juniors Shane Dewitt (IF/P), Steve LePere (OF), Jeff Koehler (OF), Matt Bentson (C/OF), Mike Benvenuto (C), Alex Goudey (IF) and Korey Keefe (OF), and sophomore TJ DelFranco (OF/P).

Byrnes, McNamara, Trainor and Dewitt figure to head up the pitching staff, with Cerone and DelFranco providing relief.

“I think we have a solid No. 1,” Mulvihill said of Byrnes. “Chris is a three-year starter. McNamara ended last season on a high, and Trainor and Dewitt are competing for No. 3. And our relief looks solid.”

Defensively, the Bears are looking at Byrnes and McNamara at first, Sheppard at second, Winch at short, and Coleman or Dewitt at third, with Barnes behind the dish. DelFranco, Blank and Trainor figure to start in the outfield.

“I like our infield,” Mulvihill said. “Especially up the middle. They have experience, and they look sharp. Our outfield is going to be a question mark, with two new starters in the corners. We have some competition out there. In center, Blank is solid.”

And the manager believes his lineup can produce. Hanson or Sheppard figure to leadoff, Winch hits second, Byrnes is in the three hole, and Mulvihill is looking at Trainor, Blank or Barnes to hit cleanup.

“I’m confident with the top of our order,” Mulvihill said. “They’ll put the ball in play. Hanson is very strong, and Byrnes, Blank and Trainor can all knock guys in.”

The Bears will play in League 2-B, along with Lakeland, Panas, Yorktown, Carmel and Mahopac.

“I think Lakeland and Mahopac could be solid,” Mulvihill said. “I would be happy to be competitive in the league, I think the potential is there.”

Brewster opens the 2010 season Monday at Poughkeepsie at 4:30 p.m.