New conference schedule highlights MCLA Baseball outlook as Trailblazers set to open play this weekend
North Adams, MA- In his first three seasons at the helm of the MCLA Baseball program, head coach Mike Gladu has seen steady progress. Last season's squad ended the regular season just one game under .500 but is also coming off back to back MASCAC playoff appearances.
The 2019 Trailblazers are poised to take the next step in the competitive MASCAC race. Led by coach Gladu, MCLA is scheduled to throw their first pitch this weekend as they head to Stevenson (MD) for a three-game series.
Last season, the Trailblazers went 13-15-1 overall and were bested by Framingham State in the opening round of the MASCAC tournament. Gladu's nine went 6-7-1 in the MASCAC regular season last year, but changes are coming as the conference has now instituted a three game series and 21 games in total.
Gladu knows that the three game series will put an added emphasis on starting pitching, but he believes that his players are up to the challenge. "The new schedule with three games means that starting pitching, and going deeper into games, become more crucial," he commented about the revised schedule. "Guys will have expanded roles and will need to step up to keep us at a competitive level."
Before the conference season begins, the Trailblazers open up play with more non-league games than in any season prior. MCLA kicks off the season with the trip this weekend to Stevenson before another weekend trek to southern New York to face off with Mount Saint Vincent. From there, the Trailblazers embark on the annual Florida swing and will face stiff competition with a nine game slate.
MCLA returns north and opens with RPI on the road which will lead them into the new MASCAC schedule on Friday, March 29th against Framingham State. MCLA is slated for a full 40 game schedule in 2019.
Here is a preseason outlook at the 2019 Trailblazers:
On offense:
The newest version of the Trailblazers will rely heavily on speed and defense. MCLA does return their top three hitters from last season along with three of their top four starters off the mound. The Trailblazers did graduate some significant run production from a year ago, so fans could see some more small ball from MCLA in 2019.
On offense, everything will be centered around the All MASCAC duo of junior Logan Rumbolt and senior Jeff Bink. The pair led the team in hitting with Rumbolt batting .376 while Bink was at .349. They combined for 36 RBI's and 18 extra base hits. Rumbolt led the team with 22 runs scored while Bink stole a team best 9 bases last year.
Ben Durland returns after a sophomore campaign that saw him bat .318 with 14 runs scored. Also returning is sophomore Jake Ferrara and juniors Joe Toledo and Christian Seariac. The trio were regulars in the lineup last season and Seariac was an all-conference selection as a freshman in 2017. All should see significant at bats for Gladu's team.
Behind the plate, MCLA returns senior Antonio Archina. He started 14 games last season for the Trailblazers. Competing for time with Archina is first year player Danny Buchanan.
Off the mound:
MCLA will seek to improve upon a 5.28 ERA last season but will be challenged after losing staff ace Liam Nolan. The cupboard is not bare however as the Trailblazers return Bobby New, who tossed a pair of shutouts last season and led the team with 11 appearances overall.
Joining New in the rotation will be senior Brendan Kelly and junior Shawn James. Both saw significant time last season. Kelly started four times last year and sported a 3.74 ERA for the Trailblazers. James also logged four starts and will be counted on to step up in the new conference format.
Gladu's staff will look for a boost from a host of newcomers. Junior transfer Dillon Maxon will compete for a starting spot while first year hurlers Mike Urbanski and Tyler Wade could see immediate action as well.
Another transfer, Edwin Veras, is penciled in to be the closer in the early part of the season.