Game Day Links
May. 8-10, 2014
Union vs. Vassar (5/8)
Union vs. Rochester/Clarkson (TBA)
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This marks the second year in a row that Union has reached the conference playoffs. The look to bounce back from their championship game loss to RPI from a year ago.
Scouting Opponents
The Yellowjackets (23-14 overall, 16-8 Liberty League) boast one of the leagues most balanced teams as Rochester pitchers concluded the regular season first in opposing batting average (.245), and strikeouts (195), while Yellowjacket hitters finished first in the Liberty League in hits (361), and third in batting average of (.304). Senior Ethan Sander has been a leader at the plate for Rochester, currently ranking fourth in the league in hits (41), fifth in batting average (.390), fifth in stolen bases (11), fifth in on-base percentage (.460), and ninth in runs scored (26). On the mound, sophomore Dan Warren has paced the Yellowjackets by posting a league-leading 1.25 earned run average, allowing just six earned runs in 43.1 innings pitched. Warren also ranks first in the league in shutouts with two, sixth in the league in strikeouts (35), and eighth in the Liberty League by holding batters to a .226 average.
Clarkson (19-11 overall, 14-7, Liberty League) enters the postseason having won four straight and eleven of its last twelve league contests. Sophomore Greg Jasek paced the Golden Knights both on the mound and at the plate. As a pitcher, Jasek registered a 5-2 record, allowing just 13 earned runs on 45 hits in 49 innings of work. Jasek's 45 strikeouts ranked him third in the league. The sophomore standout also finished 2014 as Clarkson's top hitter, batting .315, while ranking second on the team in slugging percentage (.478). Senior David Wixted also proved to be consistent hitter for the Golden Knights. The senior outfielder lead Clarkson with 34 hits, four home runs to rank him second in the league, 20 runs batted in, 59 total bases third most in the league, and a .572 slugging percentage, fifth in the Liberty League.
The Brewers are making their second consecutive and second all-time tournament appearance. Finishing the regular season with a 13-7 conference record (18-12 overall) to claim fourth place in the league, Vassar was led by senior Brett Zaziski. The senior infielder finished the 2014 regular season leading the Liberty League in home runs (5), runs scored (34), total bases (71), and slugging percentage (.717), while also registering a .404 batting average to finish third in the league, ranking third in doubles (12), second in on-base percentage (.530), and tied for fifth in hits (40). Freshman Adam Erkis headlines a young Brewer pitching staff. Erkis finished tied atop the Liberty League with Freshman teammate Trent Berg, with each earning 7 wins apiece. The aforementioned Erkis posted a 7-0 record, tossing five complete games, and two shutouts, allowing just 10 earned runs on 36 hits in 52.1 innings pitched, while posting the league's fourth best earned run average of 1.92.
Regular Season Accolades
The Dutchmen finished the season with a 22-9-1 record overall with a 14-6-1 record in Liberty League Play. Union came up just short of their program-best 24 wins from a season ago but broke their win percentage record at .703. Senior Sam Caruso was named the Liberty League's Offensive Performer of the Week and to the honor roll during the regular season. Freshman Jake Fishman also earned multiple weekly honors from the Liberty League. He was named to the honor roll in addition to be named the Performer of the Week and the Pitcher of the week. This week freshman outfielder and pitcher Kent Curran was named the Liberty League Rookie of the Week to round out the Dutchmen honored by the conference.
Starting Rotation
Union's starting pitching has been solid once again as the staff earned run average stands at 3.5. Leading the staff is freshman left-hander Jake Fishman who holds a 6-0 record and an earned run average of 2.3. The Sharon, M.A. native has thrown four complete games, including a no-hitter against Bard in just his second collegiate start. Fishman's mentor and counterpart is the Dutchmen's leading pitcher from a year ago, senior Dane O'Neil. After earning the Liberty League Pitcher of the Year last season, O'Neil has continued his dominance on the mound, racking up a record of 6-0 and an ERA of 3.32. Assisting Fishman and O'Neil includes, lefty senior Andrew Beaule and freshman righties Kent Curran and Greg Geisel.
The .400 Club
For the second year in a row, the Dutchmen have a hitter who has finished the regular season over .400. Following in the footsteps of his current teammate Vincent Esposito and former teammate Tyler Heck, senior Sam Caruso led the league with a .431 batting average. Caruso also leads the team in a number offensive categories including runs scored, slugging, walks, total bases and base hits.
Steals
For the third year in a row, the Dutchmen led the league in stolen bases with 68 as a team. Leading the team and the league in stolen bases is Caruso who was 20-23 in stolen base attempts. Esposito is second on the team with 11 swipes while Fishman and sophomore Eric Egan are tied for third with 9 swipes a piece.
Rochester and Clarkson will open up the tournament at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, May 8. Vassar and Union will follow with their contest at 4:00 p.m.
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