“We are loaded with seniors, and the juniors will contribute this season,” says John Carroll baseball coach Joe Stetka.
Shortstop KJ Hockaday will anchor the infield, and again bat in the middle of the line-up for Stetka. First-baseman Brendan Butler, a pre-season Underarmour All-American, will hit behind Hockaday and they will be tough outs.
Maryland bound Hockaday and Towosn-bound Butler are two of the best in the conference.
Trent Shaw will play second and pitch, and Dave McGee will play the hot corner and pitch. Paul Hammons and TJ Centi will play in the infield as needed.
Sean Nelson and Tim Tyan are battling for the starting job in left, and Danny Snee will play right. Senior Nick Naumann will play center. Naumann, Hockaday and Butler all played in the fall for the Maryland Oriole-landers.
Josh Brown and Ryan Kirby will split duty behind the plate, and both can pitch.
Brown, Kirby, Trent Shaw, McGee, Mike Wittik, Avery Callan, Dino Profili and Tyler Boyd will comprise the pitching staff, and Hockaday will throw some as well.
With ten talented seniors, the Patriots will make some noise this season in the A Conference.
Stetka said that the team has set the bar high and they are working hard. “Their goal is to make the playoffs this year.”
