Dec. 18, 2009

Garden City, N.Y. - The 2010 Panthers, who lost their top-three bats due to graduation last year, will look to rely heavily on their pitching and defense this season, as they gear up for their campaign opening match-up with Concordia on February 23.

Seventh-year Head Coach Dom Scala feels that the Panthers pitching staff could be as deep as eight starters and Scala is comfortable throwing any one of them at any given time. "I am a firm believer in pitching and defense," said Scala. "We have that and I am confident that it will be our cornerstone this year."

Junior pitcher Keith Couch (Elmont, N.Y.), who has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division II Preseason All-America Team, will be the Adelphi number one starter this season. Couch is coming off a sophomore campaign that saw him post a record of 9-2 with an ERA of just 1.31 to go along with 75 strike outs in 89.1 innings of work and six complete games.

Hard throwing junior Rob Nixon (Welland, Ontario), along with senior Mike Bartlett (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) return to solidify the two and three spots on the pitching staff. Nixon posted a 7-4 record last season with a 2.41 ERA, while Bartlett finished 5-2, with an ERA of 2.53.

Senior left-hander Mike Scudero (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) returns to the rotation after missing the 2009 season due to injury. In 2008, Scudero was 3-4, with a 2.40 ERA and two complete games, striking out 50 in just 48.2 innings of work. Junior college transfer Jonathan Gonzalez (New York, N.Y.) will also bring added depth to the pitching staff.

In the bullpen, there is an array of pitchers that can come in and put out potential fires. The relief core is led by seniors Teddy Rohrs (Baldwin, N.Y.), Jay Intelisano (Shoreham, N.Y.), junior Sal Persico (Staten Island, N.Y.), sophomore Chris Murphy (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) and freshman Dillon McNamara (Staten Island, N.Y.).

Scala believes McNamara will be Adelphi's closer in 2010. "Dillon was brought in here as a starter, however, we are very deep at that spot and I saw something about him in the fall. He has a no nonsense, all business presence," said Scala. "I believe he has the makeup to close, and when I approached him with the idea he smiled and said, yeah coach, give me the ball."

Offensively the Panthers need to replace some big sticks from last year. However, eighth-year Associate Head Coach Bobby Malvagna feels that the Brown and Gold can be just as successful in 2010 with a different approach. "We are more of a speed team this year," said Malvagna. "We will concentrate on getting contact and running a bit more than last year."

With senior captains Justin Ciamillo (Sayville, N.Y.), Chris Weidlein (Merrick, N.Y.), junior transfers Trevor Thorstensen (Holbrook, N.Y.), Rich McCarren (Seaford, N.Y.), and senior Anthony Anzalone (Rocky Point, N.Y.), sophomore TJ Humrich (Franklin Square, N.Y.), sophomore Lucas Romeo (Queens, N.Y.) and sophomore Craig Matteo (Herricks, N.Y.), Scala believes he has a well rounded attack."We will be ready when the bell rings," said Scala.