Temple University Athletics
Friday, February 15
Cary, N.C.
12:00 PM
Temple University
vs
Wright State
Baseball Opens 2013 Season Friday At USA Baseball Complex Classic
2.14.13 | Baseball
PHILADELPHIA –Temple University's 85th baseball season commences Friday afternoon down in Cary, N.C. at the USA Baseball Training Complex. Opening the season at one of the finest baseball facilities in the nation, the Owls will take on four teams in three days.
Right out of the chute, Temple gets its season underway with a doubleheader, as it will take on Wright State at Noon before facing Delaware for a 3:30 p.m. first pitch. The weekend will round out with a 3:00 p.m. matchup against Monmouth on Saturday and an early 10:00 a.m. ballgame on Sunday against Toledo. [Scroll down for a breakdown on each opponent.]
Pitching Probables
Game 1 –Friday vs. Wright State: RHP Dan Moller
Game 2—Friday vs. Delaware: RHP Preston Hill
Game 3—Saturday vs. Monmouth RHP Matt Hockenberry
Game 4—Toledo LHP Patrick Peterson
Season Preview
Coming off his first season in charge of the Owls, head coach Ryan Wheeler returns 22 players from his 2012 squad, which went 19-34 and finished 12th in the Atlantic 10 Conference. With the experience of the upperclassmen, adding 12 new players and everyone heading into the first weekend healthy, the Owls' second-year skipper knows there is a lot of potential for his team in 2013.
"The players that are returning are a tremendous group of young men, Wheeler said. "I asked them to show up every day with a positive attitude and come to the field with 110 percent work ethic. They do this every single day. In one year, I have seen their confidence grow tremendously. We have brought in new players and they fit right into puzzle very nicely. They have done a great job of pushing the older players for playing time and now providing me with different options and depth which we did not have last year."
Of the 12 newcomers, the team will get an added boost to its pitching staff. Junior Preston Hill joins the Owls after playing at Chandler Gilbert Community College out in Arizona. Hill is expected to give the starting rotation added depth this season, while freshmen Connor Staskey and Tim McCarthy will bolster the bullpen. After missing all of 2012 due to various injuries, Wheeler and pitching coach Brian Pugh are able to include redshirt sophomores Phil Gianakos, Zach White and Zach Batchelor in the mix.
Joining Hill in the rotation, it will be the same cast as it was in 2012. Senior Dan Moller, junior Matt Hockenberry and sophomore Patrick Peterson will once again be the team's weekend starters.
Freshmen Michael D'Acunti, Frank D'Agostino, Zach Lain, Jimmy Kerrigan, Scott Arnott, Tim McCarthy, Dave McInerney and Texas Williams have all given the upperclassmen competition at their positions and are all expected to see significant playing time during their first seasons. Derek Peterson, a junior transfer, will look to add to his Olney Central College experience while playing in the Owls' outfield and at first base.
Entering the season, the main concern is who can step up and be the leader that former player Steve Nikorak was over the past few seasons. With the experience of the upperclassmen, Wheeler believes his team will find ways to step up and carry the team. For the sake of not putting pressure on one or two individuals, Wheeler did not elect captains this season. Instead, he is relying on his seniors to carry the load, while inviting all of his other players to step up.
Of the six seniors returning, Jordan Queja saw the most action as he appeared in various positions, but spent most of his duties in the outfield by the end of the season. Queja tied for second on the team with 53 hits a season ago. Matching him was rookie Nick Lustrino, who proved to be reliable piece at short stop and in batting order. Lustrino was named the Philadelphia Big 5's Rookie of the Year and was named to the Atlantic 10's All-Rookie Team.
Allen Stiles, who did not see consistent action until the second half of the season, will likely be an everyday player out in center field for the team. Stiles proved to be a very dynamic player for Temple in 2012. Despite only playing 30 games, his batting average of .299 was ranked third on the team and is the highest among all players returning this season. His endurance and speed on the basepaths allowed him to snag five bases on five attempted steals and stretch his hits out to triples four times.
Redshirt senior Matt Elko was reliable to the Owls at first base last season. Elko demonstrated his power at the plate, as he hit 10 doubles, four triples and a homer. Guarding first base, he committed only two errors in 405 put outs to lead the team with a .995 fielding percentage.
Senior Elijah Yarborough, who played 39 games last season was a valuable contributor with 22 RBIs, while Henry Knabe came off the bench often and proved to provide a spark at the plate.
On the mound, Steve Visnic returns for his fifth season as a member of the Owls. Seeing a lot of eighth inning action a year ago, Visnic will likely be the team's closer. The redshirt senior enters the opening weekend of the season with 83 career appearances, which has him one shy of Pete Moore for the most all-time at Temple. Moore was inducted into Temple Athletics' Hall of Fame this past fall. Visnic, who is a right-handed side-arm thrower won three games out of the bullpen last year and notched two saves.
For an outlook on the upcoming season from the players, watch the video above.
Opening Weekend Scouting Report
Wright State:
Coming off a 37-21 (20-10) year in the Horizon League, Wright State finished second in the league standings. Junior pitcher Taylor Braun and senior shortstop Justin Kopale were selected to the First Team All-Horizon League while junior pitcher Joey Hoelzel and senior catcher Garrett Gray were named to the Second Team by College Sports Madness.
Braun led the team with six wins last season, while Kopale hit .281 with four home runs and 45 RBIs.
Delaware
The Blue Hens are coming off a successful 2012 season, in which they were runner-ups or the Colonial Athletic Conference, while finishing in third place overall with a record of 31-27, (17-13). Junior first basemen Jimmy Yezzo was named CAA Pre-Season Co-Player of the Year.
Senior DJ Long returns as a four-year starter. A career .311 hitter who started all 58 games in 2012, batted .289 with three home runs and 29 runs batted in. Chad Kuhl, a junior was 5-5 record with one save in 13 stars and two relief appearances last season.
Monmouth
Temple went up against Monmouth over the course of last season. The Hawks finished 35-24 (21-11) in the Northeast Conference, good enough for second place during the regular season and the NEC tournament.
Top returning players include senior infielder Danny Avella, junior infielder Jake Gronsky, junior left handed pitcher Andrew McGee, senior pitcher Dan Smith and junior infielder Jon Guilda
Avella led the Hawks with eight home runs, 45 RBIs, and .486 slugging percentage
Gronksy was named to the 2012 All-Northeast Conference First Team. A year ago, he hit safely in 45 of 59 games played, including 20 multi-hit games, while McGee posted a 7-4 record with a 4.58 ERA in 17 appearances on the mound. McGee threw five complete games during the 2012 season
Toledo
Last season, Toledo proved to be a threat in the Mid-American Conference's West Division, as it won the league title with a record of 30-27 (19-8). Entering this season, the Rockets have a target on themselves, as they have been tabbed to finish second in the MAC West Division in a vote of the league's head coaches
Top returning position players are junior infielder Wes White (336, 10 runs, 2 HR, 16 RBI) and junior catcher James Miglin (29 runs, 5 HR, 33 RBI).
Junior Ryan Wilkinson (7-4, 2.99 ERA, 78.1 IP, 50 K) and senior Kyle Shaw, who sat out the 2012 season with an arm injury, will be looked upon to lead the team out on the mound.
Right out of the chute, Temple gets its season underway with a doubleheader, as it will take on Wright State at Noon before facing Delaware for a 3:30 p.m. first pitch. The weekend will round out with a 3:00 p.m. matchup against Monmouth on Saturday and an early 10:00 a.m. ballgame on Sunday against Toledo. [Scroll down for a breakdown on each opponent.]
Pitching Probables
Game 1 –Friday vs. Wright State: RHP Dan Moller
Game 2—Friday vs. Delaware: RHP Preston Hill
Game 3—Saturday vs. Monmouth RHP Matt Hockenberry
Game 4—Toledo LHP Patrick Peterson
Season Preview
Coming off his first season in charge of the Owls, head coach Ryan Wheeler returns 22 players from his 2012 squad, which went 19-34 and finished 12th in the Atlantic 10 Conference. With the experience of the upperclassmen, adding 12 new players and everyone heading into the first weekend healthy, the Owls' second-year skipper knows there is a lot of potential for his team in 2013.
"The players that are returning are a tremendous group of young men, Wheeler said. "I asked them to show up every day with a positive attitude and come to the field with 110 percent work ethic. They do this every single day. In one year, I have seen their confidence grow tremendously. We have brought in new players and they fit right into puzzle very nicely. They have done a great job of pushing the older players for playing time and now providing me with different options and depth which we did not have last year."
Of the 12 newcomers, the team will get an added boost to its pitching staff. Junior Preston Hill joins the Owls after playing at Chandler Gilbert Community College out in Arizona. Hill is expected to give the starting rotation added depth this season, while freshmen Connor Staskey and Tim McCarthy will bolster the bullpen. After missing all of 2012 due to various injuries, Wheeler and pitching coach Brian Pugh are able to include redshirt sophomores Phil Gianakos, Zach White and Zach Batchelor in the mix.
Joining Hill in the rotation, it will be the same cast as it was in 2012. Senior Dan Moller, junior Matt Hockenberry and sophomore Patrick Peterson will once again be the team's weekend starters.
Freshmen Michael D'Acunti, Frank D'Agostino, Zach Lain, Jimmy Kerrigan, Scott Arnott, Tim McCarthy, Dave McInerney and Texas Williams have all given the upperclassmen competition at their positions and are all expected to see significant playing time during their first seasons. Derek Peterson, a junior transfer, will look to add to his Olney Central College experience while playing in the Owls' outfield and at first base.
Entering the season, the main concern is who can step up and be the leader that former player Steve Nikorak was over the past few seasons. With the experience of the upperclassmen, Wheeler believes his team will find ways to step up and carry the team. For the sake of not putting pressure on one or two individuals, Wheeler did not elect captains this season. Instead, he is relying on his seniors to carry the load, while inviting all of his other players to step up.
Of the six seniors returning, Jordan Queja saw the most action as he appeared in various positions, but spent most of his duties in the outfield by the end of the season. Queja tied for second on the team with 53 hits a season ago. Matching him was rookie Nick Lustrino, who proved to be reliable piece at short stop and in batting order. Lustrino was named the Philadelphia Big 5's Rookie of the Year and was named to the Atlantic 10's All-Rookie Team.
Allen Stiles, who did not see consistent action until the second half of the season, will likely be an everyday player out in center field for the team. Stiles proved to be a very dynamic player for Temple in 2012. Despite only playing 30 games, his batting average of .299 was ranked third on the team and is the highest among all players returning this season. His endurance and speed on the basepaths allowed him to snag five bases on five attempted steals and stretch his hits out to triples four times.
Redshirt senior Matt Elko was reliable to the Owls at first base last season. Elko demonstrated his power at the plate, as he hit 10 doubles, four triples and a homer. Guarding first base, he committed only two errors in 405 put outs to lead the team with a .995 fielding percentage.
Senior Elijah Yarborough, who played 39 games last season was a valuable contributor with 22 RBIs, while Henry Knabe came off the bench often and proved to provide a spark at the plate.
On the mound, Steve Visnic returns for his fifth season as a member of the Owls. Seeing a lot of eighth inning action a year ago, Visnic will likely be the team's closer. The redshirt senior enters the opening weekend of the season with 83 career appearances, which has him one shy of Pete Moore for the most all-time at Temple. Moore was inducted into Temple Athletics' Hall of Fame this past fall. Visnic, who is a right-handed side-arm thrower won three games out of the bullpen last year and notched two saves.
For an outlook on the upcoming season from the players, watch the video above.
Opening Weekend Scouting Report
Wright State:
Coming off a 37-21 (20-10) year in the Horizon League, Wright State finished second in the league standings. Junior pitcher Taylor Braun and senior shortstop Justin Kopale were selected to the First Team All-Horizon League while junior pitcher Joey Hoelzel and senior catcher Garrett Gray were named to the Second Team by College Sports Madness.
Braun led the team with six wins last season, while Kopale hit .281 with four home runs and 45 RBIs.
Delaware
The Blue Hens are coming off a successful 2012 season, in which they were runner-ups or the Colonial Athletic Conference, while finishing in third place overall with a record of 31-27, (17-13). Junior first basemen Jimmy Yezzo was named CAA Pre-Season Co-Player of the Year.
Senior DJ Long returns as a four-year starter. A career .311 hitter who started all 58 games in 2012, batted .289 with three home runs and 29 runs batted in. Chad Kuhl, a junior was 5-5 record with one save in 13 stars and two relief appearances last season.
Monmouth
Temple went up against Monmouth over the course of last season. The Hawks finished 35-24 (21-11) in the Northeast Conference, good enough for second place during the regular season and the NEC tournament.
Top returning players include senior infielder Danny Avella, junior infielder Jake Gronsky, junior left handed pitcher Andrew McGee, senior pitcher Dan Smith and junior infielder Jon Guilda
Avella led the Hawks with eight home runs, 45 RBIs, and .486 slugging percentage
Gronksy was named to the 2012 All-Northeast Conference First Team. A year ago, he hit safely in 45 of 59 games played, including 20 multi-hit games, while McGee posted a 7-4 record with a 4.58 ERA in 17 appearances on the mound. McGee threw five complete games during the 2012 season
Toledo
Last season, Toledo proved to be a threat in the Mid-American Conference's West Division, as it won the league title with a record of 30-27 (19-8). Entering this season, the Rockets have a target on themselves, as they have been tabbed to finish second in the MAC West Division in a vote of the league's head coaches
Top returning position players are junior infielder Wes White (336, 10 runs, 2 HR, 16 RBI) and junior catcher James Miglin (29 runs, 5 HR, 33 RBI).
Junior Ryan Wilkinson (7-4, 2.99 ERA, 78.1 IP, 50 K) and senior Kyle Shaw, who sat out the 2012 season with an arm injury, will be looked upon to lead the team out on the mound.
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