MEADVILLE, Pa. -- The 2013 Allegheny baseball squad enters the 132nd season in program history hoping to eradicate the sour taste left by the 2012 campaign. The Gators will rely on an experienced group of upperclassman and a talented score of freshmen to vault back into North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) contention.

Last season, the Gators used four-game weekend sweeps over conference opponents Hiram and Oberlin to position themselves for a post-season run, but were left out of the picture after losing the coin flip tie breaker.

“The end of last year was definitely disappointing.  To lose on a coin toss is a tough way to end the year.”

Commented Allegheny head coach Kelly Swiney.  “I was very proud of the way we played the 2nd half of the season.  After struggling early, we finished 15-7 down the stretch.  I'm hoping we can build off of that moving into the 2013 season; I know they are using the coin flip as motivation.”  

Leading the charge on offense will be senior outfielder Mike Kastelic, who batted a team-high .347 in 37 starts.  Kastellic recorded a team-high 43 hits, six doubles and 26 RBI, also grabbing 11 stolen bases.  Close behind is junior infielder Mike Pezzone, who was third on the team with a .339 batting average.  Pezzone led the team with two home runs, finishing with a .464 slugging percentage. 

Rounding out the top three offensive returners is sophomore infielder Zach Gray, who added a strong fall season to a repertoire last season that included a .245 batting average and 13 RBI.

“(Gray, Kastelic and Pezzone) are the guys that will have to produce in the middle of the line up in order for us to be successful. I also look to have a much deeper line up this season.  In the fall there were about 15 hitters fighting to win the nine starting positions.  We need to find a way to replace the production of Eric Hansen, Ben Lowmaster, and Aaron Lynch.  Those guys started from day one in their careers and will be missed.  Every year guys have to step up and this year will be no different.”

2012 All-NCAC first team selection Kyle Davis will spearhead the pitching contingent once again after leading the team with a 2.93 earned run average in 2012, highlighted by five complete games in 61.1 innings pitched. 

“I expect Davis to have another great year.  He will lead the staff again. He is a legitimate Pitcher of the Year candidate in the conference. I can't say enough good things about Kyle.  He's a bulldog out there and he wants the ball in big game and pressure situations.”

Junior Eric Brandt will move into the second spot this season after a great showing in 2012.  Pezzone will also see time on the hill for the Gators.

“Brandt came on in practice and JV games at the end of his freshman season.  So I knew he had a chance to be good, but exceeded all of my expectations.  Pezzone had a great fall for us and is the most improved pitcher on the team.  Now that he has a couple years experience under his belt, he's more comfortable out there.  He has better feel for all his pitches.”

Filling out the rotation will be junior Brandon Ellis, sophomore transfer Steven Ramsdell and freshman Keegan White.  Out of the bullpen will be sophomore Paul Vojtek, who earned the closer role as a freshman, earning four saves and senior Frank Brank, a versatile right hander who can fill multiple roles for the squad.  Junior Samuel Hyun will look to be one of the key reserves out of the pen this year as second year players Gavin Nirmaier and Matt Jankowiak will also provide options for the coaching staff.

In the infield, a great fall season has left the starting positions wide open entering the spring.  At first base, freshman Zack Sutton eyes the starting role as a power hitter with good hands.  Junior Paul Nelson impressed in his playing time last season and should be in the mix.  Denison transfer Ben Murray has a solid bat and can play first and third and may be inserted to add another left handed hitter to the lineup.

Senior Jeff Dassner hopes to come back from a difficult 2012 campaign as the three-year starter at second base joined by Gray, who has emerged as a utility player that could also play in the outfield or as the designated hitter.

Sophomore Eric Weyant and freshman Ben Kirchler will compete for the starting job at short while Davis will also factor into the shortstop position while not pitching.  Weyant improved drastically in the fall while Kirchler's range and bat skills has him in contention to start.

Freshman Joe Killian is the frontrunner to start at third coming out of the fall and looks to be in the middle of the lineup as a strong hitter.  Freshman Ben Murray and Nirmaier will also compete for time.

At catcher, senior Frank Triozzi will be the primary starter.  “Frank has worked hard and earned the chance to be the starter as a senior after backing up Lowmaster for the past two seasons.  Frank is an athletic catcher with good defensive tools.  He has shown steady improvement at the plate over his four years.”

Junior Shane Regel, sophomore Adam Bronson and freshman Hayden Smith are competing for the backup role, which is likely to catch one to two times per week.

Kastelic and Pezzone will anchor the outfield, as Kastelic hopes to replicate his .989 fielding percentage in 2012 that earned him American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings Mideast Region Gold Glove honors.

 “I recruited Kastelic out of high school and he played in the fall his freshman year before deciding to focus on being a pre-med student.  I'm really happy for him that he came back out for the team and had so much success. He is an impressive guy on and off the field.  I expect him to have a big year for us.  Pezzone worked hard to improve his swing before last season and it really paid off.  He exceeded the coaching staff's expectations with the numbers he put up as a sophomore.  He will be a guy we count of for run production.  He has the power to drive the ball, and should have better power numbers this year.”  

Also starting in the outfield will be senior James Kim.  “James is the most improved offensive player on the team this year, which is a credit to his work ethic.”  Junior Andy Feikls, who played in 28 games last spring, can be placed in all three outfield positions and will also compete for a starting position.  Freshmen Chris Beaton, Nico Giaimo, Matt Sardini and Ben Swaby will push for playing time this season.

The Gators open their season with double headers against John Carroll on Feb. 23 and Pitt-Bradford on Mar. 3 before traveling to Winter Haven, Fla. for a nine-game spring break trip featuring matchups between Plattsburgh State, Oswego State and Brockport of the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC), Hope College of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), Hamilton of the New England States College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) and Babson of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC).

“I believe our guys are up for the challenge and enjoy playing a difficult schedule.  We know we must get off to a better start this season.  This group learned a lot from last year and that experience will help us in 2013.  This will be a more mature baseball team than last year. “

Allegheny kicks off its NCAC schedule on Apr. 6 with a four-game road trip over Hiram spanning two days.  The squad will play at the Robertson Athletic Conference for the final two weekend series of the regular season, hosting Kenyon on Apr. 20 before closing the conference home slate with Wooster on Apr. 27.

“Our goal each year is to win the NCAC East, win the NCAC title, and make the NCAA Tournament.  If we continue the work ethic we had in the fall and improve each day I know we can accomplish our goals.”