BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer
PLUMSTED – Most high school coaches adapt to rebuilding their programs every few years. It is a facet of scholastic sports that can be both frustrating and exciting.
For New Egypt High School baseball coach Rich Carroll, this year’s Warriors team is youthful and eager to learn.
“So far it’s been a lot of fun,” Carroll said. “We are totally rebuilding the program this year. We have a bunch of young kids who are working hard. They are a very coachable group of athletes. I’ve seen marked improvement in just the few weeks we have been out there. We’ll experience some growing pains, but we may surprise a few teams, too.”
New Egypt lost a bunch of talent to graduation. In total, six starters are gone, including Donny Bunce, Tom Partyka, Justin Perrine, Andrew Weingart, Scott Stiles and Matt O’Connell.
The loss of Partyka and Bunce are particularly disturbing. Partyka had 10 victories last year as the Warriors finished with an overall mark of 15-10, which included a trip to the state playoffs where they advance to the sectional semifinals before bowing out to South Amboy. Bunce was a four-year starter who made a number of key starts during his reign as one of the program’s top pitchers.
“Those two guys are huge losses,” Carroll said. “Anytime you graduate your two top pitchers, you’re going to struggle a bit. But we do have some strong arms coming up and they’ll gain valuable experience very quickly.”
Leading the Warriors into the 2007 campaign are seniors Bob Miranda, Danny Knot, Rick Mackesy and T.J. Smith. All four have prior varsity experience and will be looked to for leadership and production.
Miranda was the team’s best all-around hitter last season with a .330
average, Carroll said. Smith was the team’s No. 3 starter and most likely will be slated as the team’s ace, while Mackesy is a three-year starter at second base and lends stability to the middle infield.
Junior Dylan Rowley led the Warriors’ offense with a .338 average last year. He has looked impressive in the preseason as well.
“He has been outstanding,” Carroll said. “We’re going to need his bat this year. We may struggle to score runs at times, so when opportunities do arise we need to cash in. He is one of the guys we’ll look to for key hits.”
Smith pitched between 20 and 25 innings last year. His role this season increases.
“He had a number of quality starts for us last year,” Carroll said. “He is basically a fastball pitcher who mixes in a curve. He is around the plate and has looked pretty good in the scrimmages.”
Sophomore Dakota Havens provides the Warriors’ lineup with power. Havens, who split time between center field and pitcher, has the capability of hitting the long ball and driving in runs, Carroll said.
Junior Dan Leutwyler is another experienced outfielder.
Carroll has a couple of freshman newcomers in the lineup at key spots. Mike Fassl will take over the catching duties, while Brian Hamilton will play shortstop. Carroll is confident both will do a fine job.
“Of course it is a big jump; both of these guys proved they could play in those spots,” Carroll said.
Other newcomers include juniors Mike Partyka and Mark Delannoy, and sophomores Ronnie Tottoriello and David Stinson.
New Egypt opened its season Tuesday against Florence. The Warriors are slated to square off against Holy Cross today (Thursday) and Riverside Saturday.
“This is about as tough an opening week as we could have,” Carroll said. “These young guys are being thrown right into the fire. It is going to be an interesting week.”