The Husky baseball team is coming off a disappointing season finishing 18-29 and last in the PSAC conference. As if missing out on the playoffs wasn't enough motivation, they were also picked to finish last in the PSAC-East for the second year in a row. This does come as a surprise considering the Huskies are returning a solid group of starters from last year and are very experienced in all aspects. "Despite the fact that I tell the guys not to focus on external expectations, I do think it's in the back of their minds when they walk into practice," said Baseball Head Coach Mike Collins. "If we are playing harder because of what others say, we are motivated by the wrong things."
The seniors view this year as an opportunity to finish their careers with a winning season and an appearance in the playoffs. Though a championship is the ultimate goal, the Huskies agree that they will need to take it one game at a time. Even though they have a good core of pitchers, hitting preparation has paid off and bringing in runs will be the Huskies biggest difference maker. "Looking at our lineup overall, I think we are going to be a very good hitting team," says senior shortstop Tony Donofry. "It seems like everyone who will be playing can hit this year, even the guys towards the bottom of the lineup will produce."
After losing Kevin Ward, the second best hitter of all time, Tony Donofry is looked at as the vocal leader of this year's team. Donofry takes over as this year's top bat hitting .396 last year, and is the centerpiece of the Husky infield. Even during the offseason, Donofry continued to lead by example, and whether it's in the weight room or in the batter's box he is always showcasing his constant work ethic. "He has improved in every phase of the game every year he has been here," says Collins. "He can hit, hit with power, steal bases, play defense. Tony is a great player."
Chris Tressler is the Huskies most experienced outfielder with impressive speed and awareness. He is also the Huskies most versatile player, as he plays both football and baseball. Being a dual sport athlete isn't enough parity for Tressler, he is an effective pitcher, plays all three outfield positions, and will hit anywhere from second to fourth in the lineup. "He is a very significant part of our offense," says Collins.
There are a few players that have not yet showed what they can do. Gino Wise one of the junior college transfers, is projected to play third base and show that he can hit for power, and the numbers he has put up previously are promising. And the young Bloomsburg High School graduate Devan McLaughlin will prove to be a fast base runner and an even better outfielder.
"McLaughlin is a speedy centerfielder that will shrink our outfield and lower the team ERA," says Collins. "He is a good bunter and should develop into a fine base stealer."
The story of this year's baseball team stands alone, at 6'3, and in the center of the diamond perched on the mound. Grant Kernaghan the senior starting pitcher has been ranked as the fifth best Division II baseball draft prospect by Baseball America magazine. The star shrugs the pressure off his shoulder along with the dirt from the infield, admitting that this year may be different but he is used to the spotlight. His 94 mph fastball caught some attention from scouts early on so the sight of the radar gun is something he is accustomed to. The right hander allowed just 49 hits in 48 innings of work last year while striking out 31 and walking just eight batters. He was also named PSAC Player of the Week twice. "Last year I was expected to go early in the draft as well, so I got used to the scouts being at the games," says Kernaghan. "It was an issue at first, but it's about learning to deal with the pressure; my experience starting as a freshman helped me in that aspect."
The Huskies opened their season this past weekend, where they played five games in Newport News, Va. The team went 2-3 on the road trip, picking up wins against The Apprentice School and Briarcliffe, while losing to Lock Haven and Kutztown twice. Bloomsburg continues their season this weekend in North Carolina where they will face Lenoir Rhyne and Seton Hill.
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