Vikings baseball relies on youth

By: Zachary Hendrick

Posted: 3/9/09

Warm sun, fresh cut grass, sizzling hot dogs, and Vikings baseball. While not all of these are quite here yet, baseball at Mercer is, and the others are soon to follow.

Last year, the Viking's baseball team enjoyed their most successful season since 2003. But with the loss of many key players, Mercer has to rely on youth now.

Last season the Vikings finished with a 34-13 record, winning the Region XIX title for the first time since 2003. Head Coach Matt Wolski, now entering his fourth season at Mercer, says, "I'm not sure [how we will do this season]. We'll be good, but I'm not sure how good."

Fourteen of Mercer's 22 players are freshman this season. "We're young," Wolski continued. "We don't have a lot of experience, but we do have a lot of talent, and it is my job to use that talent effectively."

One issue that Wolski faces is finding the most efficient lineup and batting order. Wolski acknowledges that hitting may not be the team's strongest point, and if he can use the talent effectively, the Vikings will find success.

"The offense is solid. Better than I thought it would be," Wolski said. "Finding spots where to bat guys is getting difficult. I have 12 guys and only room for nine," he adds.

Last season pitching was one of the Vikings strongest areas. But now that Mercer has lost their top three pitchers from a year ago (Will Blackmon, Chris Dolan, and Greg Hough), along with several other key pitchers, things may have changed.

"We're young on the mound this year," Wolski said. "Defense is our strongest point of the team along with speed."

Speed is something this years club has in common with last years. Last season Mercer had eight of the top 25 stolen base leaders in their region, including returning outfielder Chris Cox, who ranked seventh with 13 stolen bases.

Wolski also recognized that many of the first year players will have to look up to some of the second year guys who have been through a season together.

"Outfielder Chris Cox, shortstop Jason Zegarski, and our closer Ryan Krieder are some key player for us this year," Wolski said.

Wolski has found that the eight players returning from last season, are bringing something to the team this year besides just their talent. He says, "There was a lot of trust between the players last year, and I already see that with this team."

Mercer's two biggest competitors are Lackawanna, who finished 28-16-1 and handed the Vikings their only loss in the Region XIX playoffs a year ago, and Delaware Tech, who finished with a 27-12 record according to Region 19 statistics.

Even with competitors like Lackawanna, Delaware Tech, Coach Wolski still feels positive about the Vikings, saying, "We have a good opportunity to do what we did last year."

Mercer started the season on the right note, defeating Rutgers Newark 3-1 in their season opener on February 25.