MEADVILLE, Pa. -- Returning an experienced pitching staff and several core members of a team that advanced to the 2013 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament Championship game, the 2014 Allegheny baseball squad looks to continue the program's march to the top of the conference.

Finishing the 2013 campaign with the most successful season since 2001, the Gators ended the year with a 26-16 record.  After posting an 11-7 mark in conference play, the Gators advanced to the NCAC tournament with a NCAC Crossover series win over the DePauw Tigers in early May.  After winning the tournament opener against Denison, 5-3, on May 9, the Gators advanced to the championship game with a 6-5, comeback win over Oberlin.  Allegheny would fall to the Wooster Fighting Scots in the championship game, falling just short of the program's 19th NCAC Championship and subsequent automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

"I thought we had a very good season last year." Commented Allegheny head coach Kelly Swiney '99. 

"To advance to the NCAC championship game was rewarding for the team and especially the seniors.  It was bittersweet though, as our goal was to win the conference.  I was proud of the team for their hard work and improvement throughout the season.  We played a lot of close games and found ways to win.  We have a very battle tested team coming back this season.  I think the experience we gained provides us momentum coming into 2014. We were in consideration for an NCAA at-large bid last year and likely came up a couple wins short of making it.  The guys know we were really close and are using it as motivation. "

Allegheny's pitching staff, one key component to the team's 2013 success, returns with its rotation mostly intact from last season.  Senior and 2013 All-NCAC Honorable Mention selection Eric Brandt returns after a stellar junior campaign that resulted in a 5-1 record in 10 appearances including four complete games and a 4.09 ERA.  Fellow fourth year and All-NCAC Honorable Mention pick Kyle Davis will split time between the pitcher's mound and first base after finishing 3-3 last year, leading the team with 39 strikeouts and finishing with a 3.86 ERA. 

Senior Brandon Ellis, who finished 2013 with a 6-2 record, junior Steven Ramsdell, who threw a no-hitter against Hamilton on Mar. 22 along with freshmen Chase Boyer and Corey Keenan look to round out the starting rotation.  Junior Paul Vojtek, senior Mike Pezzone will join a contingent of both returning and new faces in filling the bullpen for the Gators, as freshmen Sean Green and Zach Hale will also look to contribute.

"Our starting pitching was the strength of the team in 2013," added Swiney. "We relied heavily on those four starters. As a coach, I feel really confident giving those guys the ball.  They have a ton of experience pitching in big games. I expect them to have big seasons for us again this year.  One area of weakness last year was our depth in the bullpen.  Pezzone helped solidify the bullpen late last year and will be counted on again this year in that role.  We have some very good freshmen arms that will give us depth in the rotation and the bullpen. "

Behind the backstop, the Gators have a slew of talent, as five players look to battle for the starting role.  Senior Shane Regel, junior Adam Bronson, sophomore Hayden Smith along with freshmen Bolt Seymour and Patrick Orr will continue to battle through the pre-season to decide who will begin the 2014 campaign at catcher.

Returning leadership will also be prevalent in the infield, as juniors Eric Weyant and Zach Gray, both All-NCAC Championship Tournament selections will look to make an additional impact in the middle infield spot.  Gray finished 2013 with a .320 batting average in 32 starts, finishing second on the team with 49 hits.  Weyant caught his stride at the end of the season, batting .381 over the squad's last 12 games of the season.  Freshmen Robert DiMaggio, Corey Keenan and Jacob Shick will also compete for time, as the Gators continue to reinforce their middle infield depth chart.

Between his stints on the mound, Davis will be looked on to man first base along with junior Ben Murray and freshmen Shea Beaumont and Kyle Emerson.  Returning to third base will be the reigning NCAC Newcomer of the Year, sophomore Joe Killian.  Killian led the Gators with a .371 batting average, forcing 28 walks and driving in 31 RBI.  Gator first years Sean Green and Josh Knupp will also compete for time in the corner infielder position. 

In the outfield, the Gators will look to replace a pair of graduated Gators with a group of returning talent and fresh faces.  Senior Mike Pezzone will start in the outfield for the Gators to kick off the 2014 campaign after starting in 40 games last season, batting .283 with a .433 slugging percentage and .405 on-base percentage to compliment a .968 fielding percentage from the outfield.  Sophomore Matt Sardini started 13 games for the Gators, batting .286 and three stolen bases.  Senior Andy Feikls also returns for the Gators as a defensive specialist, as will junior R.J. Baker, who ended 2013 with five hits in 14 games. 

"After the fall, Coach Crum and I were really impressed with our progress as a team offensively.  We hit the ball well and I expect to see more power and run production from the line-up this year.  Davis, Gray, and Killian will be the leaders for us at the plate. Pezzone, Sardini, and Weyant all showed improvement throughout the fall. There will be some talented freshmen pushing to get their name in the line-up as well. "

The Gators will kick off their season on Saturday, Feb. 21 in Beckley, W. Va. against John Carroll before traveling to Fayetteville, N.C. to battle William Peace, Frostburg State and Pitt-Greensburg before a Mar. 8 matchup against State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) member Fredonia State.  Allegheny will then travel south to Winter Haven, Fla. for its annual spring break trip, which will span from Mar. 16-21. 

"This will be the most difficult schedule we've played since I've been at Allegheny.  Over a third of our games are against teams who either made the NCAA tournament last year or were regionally ranked.  The early games will be big tests to see where we're at as a team. The schedule will prepare us well for the grind of the NCAC schedule. Based on last year's conference tourney results the NCAC East will once again be strong."

Allegheny's first game at Robertson Complex will be on Mar. 30, when the squad will welcome University Athletic Association (UAA) member Case Western Reserve for a double-header.  Conference play commences the following week when Hiram travels to Meadville for a four-game slate on Apr. 5-6.  The Gators will then take on Oberlin the following weekend to close out their conference home slate, welcoming the Yeomen for a four-game series on Apr. 12-13.  Allegheny will close the NCAC schedule at Wooster on Apr. 26-27.

"Overall I'm very excited to begin the season," concluded Swiney.  "We have a great group coming back.  Internally, we have high expectations for this team.  Every year our goal is to win the NCAC Championship and qualify for the NCAA tournament.    If we can improve each day and show mental toughness throughout the season I believe this team can do great things."