Feb. 12, 2013

MERION STATION, Pa. - The 2012 season was a banner year for Saint Joseph's baseball. A new on-campus facility opened in March. The Liberty Bell Classic championship trophy came home to Hawk Hill for the first time in April. And to top it off, the Hawks tied the school record for wins and achieved their goal of qualifying for their first Atlantic 10 Tournament in May.

But that was then. Just like their real-life counterparts, it's onward and upward for the Hawks in 2013.

After reaching the proverbial mountain and getting a taste of what it takes to climb to the top, fifth-year head coach Fritz Hamburg knows his team is primed to reach the summit.

"Our goal has always been to win the Atlantic 10 championship," he said. "I think it's a lot more realistic now [than in the past]."

As the Hawks prepare to take flight in 2013, they will do so with a pair of new faces, and one familiar face, joining the coaching staff. Hamburg will count on Matt Allison, Kyle Werman, and Alex Pracher to help guide the Hawks to their ultimate goal.

"One of the unique things about our staff is that we have four guys who, age-wise, are in four different decades," explained Hamburg. This varying experience allows the staff to both relate to the players while at the same time teaching and mentoring them.

Allison is SJU's new hitting coach, and Hamburg is pleased with the early returns.

"Matt has a unique, laid-back approach," Hamburg said. "The guys have engaged with what he's trying to do on the offensive side."

Werman played his college ball at the University of Virginia before spending time in the New York Mets organization. His recent professional experience will bring a new perspective to the staff and Hamburg feels it can pay big dividends.

"One of the many things Kyle brings to the table is that he can demonstrate what's being taught," Hamburg said. "He's still able to do those types of things."

Pracher pitched for last season's Saint Joseph's squad as a graduate student; the bonds he forged with his teammates, and the respect he earned from being a part of the team, will allow him to be a key part of the staff right from the get-go.

"Alex and I work well together," Hamburg said, "and he knows, from a foundation standpoint, what we want as a staff."

Individually, each member of the staff will contribute in his area of expertise. Working together, they will provide a boost to what is already a focused and experienced group of players.

"I really feel like all three of these guys offer a great deal, not just from a technical standpoint, but as mentors. I've seen a big change in the players," Hamburg revealed.

While the coaching staff has some exciting new additions, if the Hawks are going to succeed on the diamond this season, they'll have to rely on an old standby: outstanding pitching. Last season, the Hawks rode an improved rotation and a steady bullpen all the way to the conference tournament, and this season will be no different.

Leading the rotation once again will be Kyle Mullen. An All-Atlantic 10 First Team selection and the Philadelphia Big 5 Baseball Pitcher of the Year in 2012, the senior is primed to follow up his junior campaign - one of the finest in Saint Joseph's history - with another big year.

"Kyle has led the charge from a pitching standpoint, and we're very proud of what he's done," said Hamburg. "He's everything you hope for."

The Hawks have won each of Mullen's last 13 Atlantic 10 regular season starts, as Mullen went 5-0 with a 1.99 earned run average in league play last year.

"If he gives us what he gave us last year, we'll be thrilled," Hamburg said.

Teaming up with Mullen in the rotation will be junior Daniel Thorpe. Thorpe transitioned from the bullpen to a starting role last season, making seven starts in his 19 appearances. He ended the 2012 season on a high note, tossing a complete game as the Hawks eliminated Rhode Island and kept their run alive at the Atlantic 10 Tournament.

"It was a huge performance," Hamburg said of Thorpe's effort in the Bronx. "We've learned over the last two years that his role needs to be as a starter...when he's on, his stuff is really, really strong."

The third weekend rotation spot is still up for grabs, but junior Jordan Carter and sophomore Tim Ponto would appear to be the favorites heading into Opening Day. Carter made 15 starts last season and would bring experience to the role, while Ponto showed flashes of potential before missing most of the second half of the season due to injury.

Freshman lefthander Jack Stover will find himself in the mix as a midweek starter as well.

Behind every successful starting rotation is a strong bullpen, and the Hawks intend to be no different. Relief ace Steven Schuler set a school record for appearances in 2012, and the junior lefty will once again be a major part of the Hawk relief corps, as will junior righthander Mike Muha. Schuler had a 5-2 record last season and earned two saves as the primary setup man, while Muha appeared in 23 games on the mound, posting a 4-3 record and a 2.82 earned run average.

Junior Jimmy Yacabonis will get the bulk of the save opportunities early in 2013 after strong performances in both the Perfect Game Summer League and SJU's fall exhibition slate.

"He's harnessing his repertoire better," Hamburg said of Yacabonis. "We need him to step up, and this is his time."

Senior Kevin Burum appeared in 20 games last season and posted a strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly 4-to-1. He will no doubt be called on to contribute in late-game situations as well.

Freshman Matt Haskins has impressed in the early going, and should see some work as well. Also adding important depth to the staff will be senior Shane Carey, junior Brett Koliani, sophomore James Harrity, and freshman Jason Holcomb, while freshman lefthander Joey Gorman is likely to redshirt the season.

Offensively, the Hawks will look to improve across the board, especially in regards to their power numbers. Hamburg wants his charges to be a more potent offense than in years past, and that starts with extra-base hits.

"We need our slugging percentage to go up," he explained. "On-base percentage and scoring runs is the name of the game, but doubles create havoc and keep rallies going, and that's been a focus of ours.

"Anyone can hit a double," he added. "We need guys to produce that way."

The team's leader in doubles last season, catcher Brian O'Keefe, is back for his sophomore season as the squad's starting backstop. O'Keefe took over the starting job early in the season and parlayed his strong rookie campaign into a spot on the All-Philadelphia Big 5 Baseball Team.

"Brian did an absolutely stellar job with our pitching staff last year," said Hamburg, a for All-American himself behind the plate, "and I don't know of anybody in the conference that has a better arm."

Senior Eddie Palmer provides a more-than-capable backup to O'Keefe, and with the improvement he showed at the plate during the fall schedule, should find at bats throughout the year.

Junior Cody Silverman will also provide depth behind the plate, while versatile freshman Dallas Wilson could see time as a catcher or in the outfield.

With the graduation of All-Atlantic 10 First Team and All-Big 5 first baseman Kevin Taylor, the Hawks will have holes to fill both defensively and in the middle of the order. Muha impressed with his bat during the fall and could see time at both at first and as a designated hitter, while freshman John Brue brings lefthanded power that could make up for the loss of Taylor without missing a beat.

"I think [Brue and Muha] are going to have a big part in our overall game," Hamburg said. "Brue is a guy we brought in here to do big things, and I'm very pleased with what Mike has done."

Senior Quinn Renner had a productive fall and will start the season as the everyday second baseman. Sophomore Lansing Veeder will once again push for at bats after rehabbing an injury throughout the fall.

"Quinn is excited about what we're doing here," the head coach said. "He is one of our leaders out there."

Fellow senior Anthony Cirillo has been a mainstay at shortstop the last two seasons and will kick off 2013 as the starting shortstop once again. Junior Spencer Judge, back from an injury that caused him to miss all but two games in 2012, performed well in the fall and will no doubt be heard from as the season progresses.

"Spencer had a tremendous fall and is really pushing the envelope," Hamburg admitted. "There will be major competition there, and we need offensive production out of that position."

Junior Kevin Kratochwill, a major contributor in his first two seasons on Hawk Hill, also missed significant time in the fall while rehabbing an injury. Once healthy, however, he will also find himself in the mix in the infield.

At the hot corner on Opening Day will be sophomore Stefan Kancylarz. Kancylarz played in 56 of SJU's 57 games last season, setting a new school record, and provided reliable production throughout the season, leading the team in hits and runs scored while tying for second on the squad in runs batted in.

"He was our iron man last season," Hamburg said of Kancylarz. "For a freshman, just to play that many games is an adjustment in and of itself. He was in a big role, and we didn't ease him into it. Hopefully, he builds off of his experience from last year."

Junior Tommy Cunningham saw time at third base last season and will see playing time either at third or as a designated hitter in 2013. Also providing infield depth, specifically at third, will be sophomore Doug Licitra.

In the outfield, Hamburg has four quality players vying for three starting spots. Senior Greg Kumpel, who battled through injury and illness last season after exploding on the scene in 2011, is ready to remind everyone why he was a Second Team All-Atlantic 10 player two seasons ago.

"Greg fought through some things last year that took away his strength," Hamburg said. "He had a nice fall, he's much stronger now, and we expect him to be back to his sophomore form."

Junior Chris Hueth will get an opportunity early in the season to lock down a starting role as well, while 2012 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team honoree Ryan Pater should get the Opening Day nod in center field.

"We need Chris to do what he's capable of doing," Hamburg said. "He's going to get an opportunity. Ryan had a nice year for us last year. He plays the game right, and he has certainly earned the opportunity to go out and be our starter."

Graduate student Collin Forgey, a transfer from Menlo College, will also challenge for playing time right out of the gate.

"We brought him in here to play," Hamburg said. "He drives the ball, can hit home runs, and runs well. Collin has good instincts."

As if those four weren't enough, freshman Nate Shank and junior Tim Craig will provide talented depth off the bench as well.

The Hawks will face a challenging slate once again, starting the season on the road for three weeks and 12 games. That opening trip will take Saint Joseph's to Stetson, VCU, fifth-ranked Mississippi State, and UAB before the Hawks return to Smithson Field on March 8.

"We're looking to go in, compete, and win," said Hamburg. "It's a rigorous, rigorous first few weeks for us."

In their first homestand of the season, the Hawks will host Central Connecticut, Iona, Villanova, Marist, Wagner, and Penn State over the course of a 10-day period before a midweek game at Bucknell.

March 22 brings a weekend series at Temple, and with it, the opening of Atlantic 10 play. The challenges of the early-season slate will ideally pay their dividends as the Hawks take on a difficult slate of league games.

"If you step back and look at it, we have a strong conference," Hamburg said. "I think there are going to be nine or 10 teams jockeying for the seven tournament berths. There's no doubt this is going to be an exciting year in the Atlantic 10."

After starting with Temple, the Hawks will host Fordham on Easter weekend. Big 5 rival La Salle comes to Smithson Field once again in 2013 before the Hawks play consecutive road series at Richmond and Massachusetts. The schedule nears its conclusion with a home series against Xavier and a trip to preseason favorite Saint Louis before perennial league power Rhode Island returns to Hawk Hill for the final three games of the regular season.

In addition to their goal winning the Atlantic 10, the Hawks have a unique opportunity in front of them on a more local scale: defending their Liberty Bell Classic crown. SJU will open its defense at Delaware on March 26 before hosting either Lehigh or Temple the following week. The final, slated for April 16, will once again be held at Citizens Bank Park.

While midweek games in the heart of the conference schedule might be seen almost as a distraction, Hamburg believes the Hawks will instead seize the opportunity to return to the biggest stage in Philadelphia baseball.

"After winning [the championship], and seeing what a great evening it was for the program, the University, and our fans, I think our guys have made it a priority," he said. "The opportunity to get back to that stage, to play in that ballpark, and to be the Liberty Bell champions now, that brings a new a sense of awareness to what the event really is."

In addition to the Liberty Bell games, the Hawks will play midweek contests at Delaware State and Rider while hosting Delaware. During their conference bye week, the Hawks will host a familiar foe in St. Bonaventure, as the Bonnies will also have the week off from conference play.

The 2013 home schedule will once again be played on Hawk Hill, as Smithson Field has already established itself as a part of the fabric of the Saint Joseph's campus. Hamburg has already seen the benefit of having the new facility after just one year.

"I don't think the effect can even be measured, honestly," he said. "First, from a morale standpoint...it's a beautiful field, and it gives us an opportunity to play the game the way it's meant to be played.

"Our clubhouse is fantastic as well, and it's great for team-building," Hamburg continued. "The guys are spending more time together, and we didn't have that before. Even this fall, we were out there all but one day."

In 2012, a new home field, a tournament championship, and the achievement of a longstanding goal gave Hawk baseball fans something to be proud of over the course of the entire season. This year, the Hawks will be challenged in February and March. They'll hope to defend their Liberty Bell Classic title in April. And they'll look to prove they belong among the class of the league with a return trip to the Atlantic 10 Tournament in May.

And once there, they'll aim to achieve their next goal: playing in June.

Mark your calendars, everyone.