After a sub-par 2005 campaign, the 2006 season hopes to bring the UR baseball team back to the level it accustomed itself to in 2004, when the team won the Liberty League title.
While most of us will be off partying or relaxing over spring break, the team will be heading to Florida to start off the season. They will be participating in the University Athletic Association tournament, with games against Washington University in St. Louis, Emory University, Brandeis University and Case Western Reserve University.
After the tournament, the Yellowjackets will be heading back North for the rest of their regular season, with competition heating up within the Liberty League. The home opener is an April 1 doubleheader against St. Lawrence, with a five day, eight game homestand following.
UR plays its first game against rival Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on April 15 and concludes its regular season on May 5 against Hamilton College.
The team hopes that their offseason intensity will translate into on-field success.
“Between our excitement to get outside and all our hard work indoors, we should have a successful season,” sophomore Dave Kloc said. With a young, yet experienced team and a strong freshman class, there isn’t a reason not to be excited about the 2006 season.
With co-captains and seniors Steve Foley – who takes care of the pitching staff – and Dan Pfohl holding the lineup together, both the pitching and hitting should be in good hands. Couple these two with young contributors like sophomores Pete McEneaney, Jim Bard, Dave Kloc, John Fishback and 2005 co-rookie of the year for the Liberty League Dan Price and the team is ready to break out for a great season.
With so much talent, it is sure to be a splendid year for the Yellowjackets, so don’t be surprised to see them make a run in the Liberty League Championships. Both the team and the coaching staff have extremely high expectations for themselves this year.
“This is our season, expect good things,” Fishback said.
Goff can be reached at sgoff@campustimes.org.
