The 2010 baseball season at Lehman College is approaching rapidly, and when the Lightning take the field for their first action of the season – a doubleheader against SUNY Maritime at the South Field on Sunday afternoon, March 14 – the team will have a much different look as well as a new feel.
The first major change to the team is at the top. New head coach John Foster – a former major league pitcher who spent time with both the Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers – will replace former Lightning skipper John Quirk who managed the team from 2007-2009. Foster, who was named coach in the middle of November – will hope to return the Lightning to playoffs after the team posted just a 7-22 overall mark last year, including a 3-7 record in conference competition.
Foster led Lewis-Clark State College to their 10th NAIA National Championship since 1984, picking up the win in relief for the National title in 1999. He eventually would then pitch for the Milwaukee Brewers, appearing in 23 games for them during the 2003 season and posting a mark of 2-0 with a 4.71 ERA. That season, he struck out 16 batters in 21 innings. Perhaps his most impressive major league stint was his second go-around with the Atlanta Braves during the 2005 season when he appeared in 62 games and posted a record of 4-2 and an ERA of 4.15. In 34 2/3 innings pitched, he allowed just 27 hits and struck out 32 batters while holding batters to a .213 average. He retired from Major League Baseball in 2009 with a record of 7-2, a 4.90 ERA, and 54 strikeouts in 60.2 innings pitched. Now at Lehman College, Foster is looking forward to kick-starting his career, and feels that he is up for the challenge of getting the Lightning back to the playoffs.
“I'm certainly excited to get started,” Foster said. “One thing I can guarantee will happen every day is that we will give our best efforts and leave everything out there on that field. I preach hard work and preach discipline, and I expect our players to always come prepared and do their best to help the team win. It is an exciting challenge that I certainly have embraced, and we're all looking forward to opening day.”
Joining Foster on his coaching staff will be Brian MacMurray who spent time playing at New York Tech as an infielder. Foster classifies MacMurray as an individual who has a great mind for the game and as someone who has a tremendous work ethic. He'll focus on helping the Lightning with hitting as well as infield drills, and he'll also coach third base. Andrew Larson – who played with the Kansas City Royals – will anchor Foster's staff as a volunteer assistant. He'll focus on helping the Lightning with hitting, and he'll also run outfield drills.
Although there is a lot of turnover from last year's roster to the 2010 unit, the list of returning players is quite impressive. Players such as Emmanuel Vera, Andrew Rosario, and Adam Kolinoski graduated last season, but coming back to provide veteran leadership will be players such as Amadoernesto Guzman, Bobby Villante, Jason Caraballo, and Matthew Arvelo.
Guzman – who is entering his senior season – is a tremendous hitter who played and started in all 29 of the Lightning's contests last season, hitting .315 while leading the team with four homeruns and placing second in RBI with 21. He also walked 15 times and recorded 49 total bases. Villante – classified by Foster as a patient hitter with a good eye – hit .322 last season and hit nine doubles and had an on-base percentage of .460 – will anchor the outfield and hit in the middle of the order. Caraballo, a senior, will be used primarily as a pitcher, and Foster has stated that he is still deciding on how to use the big right-hander, wrestling with a decision of using him as a starter or a reliever. Arvelo – a defensive wizard – will play mostly first base but will also see time on the mount.
Another returning player who will hope to have a big impact on this year's club will be George Flores. Last season, he struggled with the bat, hitting just .151 in 16 games played, but he has worked hard in the off-season and is determined to bounce back. The speedy Angel Ramos – who will be a senior this year – will play second base and either serve as the team's leadoff hitter or bat ninth. He is smooth with the glove and will be a threat to steal bases this year. Alberto Alicea will be back as well, and Foster believes he is a player who portrays himself as a leader. He'll see time at first base and he'll also be called upon to pitch from time to time.
Dennis Schwuckow, Raul Cordero, William Rivera, Brian Cubero, Francisco Sanchez, and Igancio Rodriguez round out the players who will be coming back for another tour of duty with the Lightning.
As for the new players, perhaps the most anticipated arrival will be that of Jhon Comas Disla who Foster has raved about in the preseason. He will be the team's starting shortstop and will likely hit at the top of the order, but could be moved down to third in the order depending on how Foster believes he will best help the team score runs. Disla is a very good defensive player with good hands and a great arm, and he's extremely tough as a fielder. He will certainly impress people this season.
Another new addition is Arturo Lazaro Jr. who is a walk-on who hasn't pitched since high school. He has made tremendous strides since he first tried out for the team – according to Foster – and he'll be in the starting rotation and be expected to do big things. Another walk-on is David Gaffney who has also worked himself into the pitching fold with hard work during the off-season. His arm strength is impressive and he has a tremendous upside. Coach Foster says Gaffney will see a lot of innings.
Jeremy Lopez will start in center field for the Lightning. He's classified by Foster as a terrific outfielder who has a strong arm and who will make opponents think twice about taking that extra base. He plays the ball extremely well off of the bat and he'll hold things down in the outfield. Miguel Sanchez joins the team as well and he'll start at third base. He has a good swing and tremendous strength. He's not afraid to let a ball hit him in the chest and he'll do whatever it takes to help his team win.
Rounding out the newcomers for the Lightning include Richard Cabrera, Onix Mejia, Dennison Jimenez, and Manuel Paulino.
After the Lightning open their season at home against SUNY Maritime in a doubleheader at the South Field on March 14th, the Lightning will play Drew University in a single contest in Madison, NJ on March 16th before starting a 10-game homestand against SUNY Old Westbury on March 18th. On the 18th, Lehman will battle the Panthers in a doubleheader, and that will be followed by home
doubleheaders against SUNYIT (March 19th) and Emerson College (March 21st) and single contests against SUNY Purchase (March 24th) and Briarcliffe College (March 25th). Then - the conference games begin - with the Dolphins of the College of Staten Island coming to the South Field for two games on Saturday, March 27th. The Lightning and Dolphins will complete their three-game set the following day in Staten Island on March 28th.
Other notable games on the schedule include a three-game set with John Jay College (two games at the South Field on April 2nd followed by a single game at American Legion Field on April third), and a three-game set against Baruch College (a doubleheader in Brooklyn on April 17th, and a single contest at the South Field on April 18th). The full season schedule is available for view by clicking this link.
All in all, it promises to be a very interesting season at Lehman College. New head coach John Foster brings a tremendous amount of baseball experience with him to Lehman College, and he is eager to get the best out of his players every single day. With a solid combination of polished veterans and hungry newcomers, the sky could very well be the limit for the Lightning this season.
