Men's Baseball Set to Open 2012 Campaign

After its best season in program history in 2011, the Lasell College baseball team will look to have an even more successful 2012 campaign. Last season, the third year as an NCAA program, the Lasers posted a 21-15 overall record including an 8-6 record in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play. Lasell finished fourth in the GNAC, behind Saint Joseph's College (ME), Johnson & Wales University, and Suffolk University. Seven Lasers made the 2011 GNAC All-Conference team, six of whom will be returning this season.

Second year head coach Greg Harjula will have 14 returning players this season, and will welcome 15 new comers to his squad. First team GNAC All-Conference members Joshua Sullivan (Rockland, MA) and Conor Cavanagh (Quincy, MA) will both be returning for their senior seasons. Sullivan contributed on the mound, sporting a 2-2 record to go along with 2 saves in 44 innings of work. He also recorded 37 strikeouts, which led the Lasers. At the plate, Sullivan compiled a .411 batting average while leading the team in plate appearances (90), runs (25), triples (3), and stolen bases (5). Cavanagh returns to the Lasers after an outstanding 2011 season. He led the team in hits (40), doubles (15), homeruns (3), RBI's (38), batting average (.460), on-base percentage (.495), and slugging percentage (.782). In the outfield, Cavanagh recorded 77 putouts.

Other key returners for the Lasers this season include junior Bobby Stachura (Middletown, CT), and sophomores Eric Howard (Newton, MA) and Christopher Pittman (Brockton, MA). Players expected to play important roles for Lasell this season include sophomores Billy Uberti (Newton, MA) and Brendan Jordan (Rocky Hill, CT), junior Jacob Salkovitz (Brockton, MA), as well as seniors Sullivan and Cavanagh. The team will look for freshmen David Long (Brookfield, CT), Kevin Post (Cromwell, CT), and Matt Sammarco (New Canaan, CT) to step in and contribute right away.

Coach Harjula stressed that Lasell will "rely heavily" on its pitching staff and defense to win games this season. When asked what will be the key to the team's success this season, Harjula responded, "Fundamentals - I know it sounds cliché, but if we can take care of what we can control and not give our opponents any free bases or runs we will be fine." Harjula reiterated that the team is, "a very tight knit team with great teammates all striving for the same goal."

The Lasers will start to work towards that same goal when the team opens up the 2012 campaign in Fort Meyers, Florida against Monmouth (Ill.) on March 11th.

2012 Men's Baseball Media Guide

About the trip to Florida:

The Lasell College Lasers baseball team will travel to Fort Meyers, Florida to open up the 2012 season in a week-long stretch against Monmouth (Ill.), Salve Regina, Kenyon, Gettysburg, St. Lawrence, Nichols, and Plattsburg State. The Lasers will kick off the season against the Fighting Scots of Monmouth College in double-header action on March 11^th and conclude the trip with a double-header on March 17^th against the Cardinals of Plattsburgh State University of New York.