Spring is in the air and that must mean that the 2018 baseball season is starting. The Lightning open up the season at Drew on this afternoon in Madison, NJ.
In the CUNYAC Preseason Coaches Poll the Lightning were predicted to come in fifth place. Baruch was picked as favorite by the slimmest of margins over Staten Island. CCNY, John Jay Lehman rounded out the top five. Associate conference members Finlandia and Maine Presque Isle rounded out the poll.
Lehman will have an entire new look this season as only 11 players return from a team that went 11-25 a year ago. Leading the pitching staff are Manny Velasquez and Jose Albrincole. Velasquez appeared in 14 games last season, earning five victories with an era of 4.96. Albrincole picked up a pair of victories last season while striking out 24 batters. At the plate Natanael Toribio and Carlo Francisco will lead the offense. The outfielders hit .357 and .354 respectively a year ago.
The Lightning will open up the season at Drew University in Madison, NJ. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 PM. Drew opened up the season this past weekend falling to instate rival Kean 2-1 before beating Brockport 4-1 and Stevens 11-6 in 10 innings.
Fans unable to make the trip to Madison, NJ can follow all of the action on line via live stats and a live stream.
Live stats
Live stream
