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04/01/2014 12:00 AMFor the first season under its new field, the Indians’ baseball team wants to provide its fresh turf with the perfect housewarming gift of having it home to postseason ball.
Following two straight second-round berths in the state tournament with an overall 12-10 mark last spring, Guilford enters this campaign with a newly-redone home ball park at the high school. Yet the Indians aren’t content with a simple playoff bid; they want to make a deeper run toward SCC and state-title glory.
“The goals for this season would be to win our second SCC Hammonasset Division in three years and get back to the SCC Tournament,” said Head Coach Brian Hayden, entering his third year at the helm. “We want to obtain eight wins as quick as possible to get back to the state tournament. Once we obtain the eight wins, the goal is to improve on our seeding to hopefully host a state tournament game on our new field and make a deep run in the state tournament.”
Leading the charge to those planned destinations will be senior tri-captains of outfielder Mike Afeltra (hit .292 with 7 stolen bases for 2013), P.J. Ciocca at third and Sacred Heart University-bound pitcher Nick Rubino (team-leading five wins in 2013). In addition to their experience, Hayden anticipates the three to bring their best stuff to the park each day.
“Mike is a two-year starter who provides great leadership, and he is an excellent hitter with great speed,” said Hayden, who will be assisted by Nick Hahn, Mike Yates, Adam West, Ryan Brockett, Ralph Russo, and Ralph Schipani. “P.J. is a two-year starter at third base; he plays great defense and has a knack for getting big hits. Nick Rubino is a four-year starting pitcher, and he has the potential to be one of the best pitchers in the state.”
Guilford also showcases more depth in the outfield with senior T.J. Williams (earning a .429 average in 9 at-bats in 2013), while maintaining it in the infield with junior Alex Potocsny behind the dish and senior utility player Joe Nault. Rounding out the Indians’ rotation will be a trio of senior hurlers in Ford Linell (club-bests 3.37 earned-run average and 4 saves last year), Luke Nerney, and CJ Anthony.
“T.J. Williams is an outfielder with great speed and is an excellent defensive player,” said Hayden. “Alex Potocsny is a very good hitter and played some time behind the plate as a sophomore. Ford Linell, Luke Nerney, and CJ Anthony are all coming back after good junior years on the mound. Linell was SCC All-Hammonasset as a pitcher last year; Nerney has been pitching varsity since his sophomore year, and Anthony pitched well as a junior. Joe Nault is a man who is athletic enough to play anywhere on the field and be a good hitter.”
Looking at its slate of games, Guilford starts right off the bat with key division battles against reigning division-winner Hand on Saturday, April 12 and Wednesday, April 30, while facing Law in between those contests on Monday, April 21. The Indians also take on tough SCC interdivisional foes in defending Class LL state-champion Amity on Monday, May 19 and Shelton on Saturday, May 24 at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport.
Overall, Hayden’s squad holds plenty of experience from a year ago. He feels, though, it will come down to those seasoned veterans knowing their identities on this team in determining how far the Indians can go.
“We are returning 11 seniors but losing five starters, which makes for an interesting early season; we have experienced pitching but a new middle infield and catcher,” said Hayden. “We have the talent to accomplish our goals, but it will all depend on how quick we adapt to our new roles. It is also an exciting time because we have a brand new field this year.”