Heading into this season, Calvert Hall coach Lou Eckerl has to believe in the old saying ? you can?t have enough good pitching.
Because of a strong departed senior class, Eckerl?s Cardinals will rely upon a junior-heavy pitching rotation heading into the season.
“Some of them are pretty good,” Eckerl said of his six juniors. “Some of them did well at the end of the season last year and if we can use that experience, we?ll have a great year.”
While the key to the team may lie in that young staff, Calvert Hall doesn?t have many question marks in the field. The Cardinals lost just two seniors ? Old Dominion-bound catcher Joe Vellegia and second baseman Patrick Carmen ? from last year?s position players.
“Those are two big shoes to fill,” Eckerl said, adding, “but we feel the guys returning off last year?s varsity” are strong.
The team is led by four college-bound seniors in center fielder Reid Chenworth (Maryland), first baseman Jeff Guthridge (Hofstra), catcher John Collingsworth (Frostburg) and right fielder Bobby Corton (St. Mary?s).
Guthridge led the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association in batting last year, helping the Cardinals to a second-straight league title.
Aside from that quartet, expect break out years from underclassmen infielders Patrick Blair and Kevin Lingerman.
“Those guys are probably our next Division I prospects,” Eckerl said. “They really can play.”
The team is being tested early, including a trip to Florida from which they return today. Mount St. Joseph and Archbishop Spalding are the likely challengers to the Cardinals? hopes for a three-year streak.
But Eckerl said it could be anyone, as the target on the Cardinals? backs is big.
“It?s a challenge as a coach. We have to make sure we motivate our guys every day to do their best because of that,” Eckerl said. “If we come out relaxed, we?re going to be in a dog fight. The other teams, they want us bad.”
