Experience is Name of the Game

The regular season had yet to begin, and the Harvard baseball team had already made media headlines across the nation; Unfortunately, the press was reporting that Red Sox ace Roger Clemens--in his first appearance of the preseason--had mowed down the Crimson in six innings of work without giving up a hit.

Baseball

1986 record: 19-11

1987 record to date: 4-0 EIBL

(20 EIBL games remaining)

Now, back in the more secure world of college baseball, the Crimson is looking to make headlines again--but with some heroics of its own.

Coming off six weeks of preseason practice, starting way back in early February--and a 2-3 showing in their Florida preseason games against the Red Sox A, AA and AAA squads--the batsmen begin their six-week, 30-game schedule hoping top improve upon their second-place Eastern Intercollegiate Baseball League (EIBL) finish of a year ago.

With 13 returning lettermen, including four 1986 All-Ivy players, the Crimson is poised to take its third EIBL championship in five years.

Harvard, which suffered the loss of just six lettermen, including All-Ivy outfielder Chris McAndrew, is counting on the return of First Team All-greater Boston League pitcher Chris Marchok, and Second Team All-EIBL infielder Mike Pakalnis to provide enough punch to regain the league title which last belonged to the Crimson in 1984. An experienced infield, plenty of power hitting, and consistent pitching should provide the key for success for this year's squad.

"We'll be in the hunt for the [EIBL] championship," says Crimson Coach Alex Nahigian, now in his ninth year at the Harvard helm. "We lost two outstanding outfielders, but we also had a good recruiting year," Nahigian says, adding that he expects stiff competition from 1986 EIBL championpion Navy.

With the EIBL title comes an automatic berth in the NCAA Championship Tournament. Both Princeton (which two years ago defeated Harvard in a tie-breaker playoff game to grab the league title) and Cornell are expected to be strong contenders as well.

Like most teams, the Crimson's chances for grabbing the title will most likely depend on the quality of pitching; and with the loss of only two hurlers from the pitching staff that was ranked fifth in the nation a year ago, a strong showing is expected.

Senior Marchok, who boasted a 1.70 ERA in 53 innings last season, senior Kevin Curtin and sophomore Greg Ubert will make up the core of the staff. That trio, which threw for a combined record of 9-7 last year, will be joined by senior southpaw Jim Chenevy, who has been experiencing some arm trouble. Freshmen Bob Baxter and Mike Dorrington are both expected to see some playing time.

Catching and first base duties will be split between seniors DePalo and Frank Morelli, both of whom have experience at each position. DePalo, who was drafted last year by the Baltimore Orioles, led last year's squad in hits (33), home runs (5), walks (18), RBI, (25) and average (.363). Depalo, an All-Eastern selection for two straight years, also adds speed on the bases and smarts in the field.

Morelli, who played in 30 games last year, trailed DePalo by a half step in most hitting categories, with four home runs 28 hits, and a .301 average.

Senior captain Mike Pakalnis, who started at shortstop a season ago, will move over to second base. Pakalnis, who batted .294 with four home runs and 21 RBI last season, replaces last year's second baseman Bobby Kay.

Paknalis's double play partner at shortstop will be freshman Dave O'Connell, the only infielder without prior varsity experience. Rounding out the infield is third baseman Dave Jamieson, who made the move up from the junior varsity early last season and hit a solid .292 in 65 at-bats. Infield backups include sophomore Casey Cobb, also up from last year's junior varsity squad, and freshmen Andy Kohn and Victor McGrady.

While the infield is made up almost entirely of returning starters, only one outfielder--rightfielder Frank Caprio-- returns. Caprio will attempt to fill the shoes of McAndrews, who hit .306 last year. Craig Boulris, who served as a spot itself to dream a little beyond a league left field and Dan McConegy, who saw limited action at first base last year, will start in center.

Designated hitter duties will be shared between a pair of Yardlings, righthanded Tom Konjoyan and lefthanded Rick McIntire.

The loss of Kay and McAndrews will also be noticed on the basepaths. Some speed, however, should come from DePalo, the team leader in stolen bases a year ago with 18, and Caprio, who swiped six in eight attempts last season.