The roller coaster season of 2009 included a 16-game win streak, followed by 8 losses in the Griffins last 10 games. The 2010 schedule will likely pave an even tougher road for SHU with two southern swings early in the season, followed by the Griffins annual trip to Winter Haven, FL where they will tangle with perennial power University of Tampa. The remainder of the schedule squares Seton Hill off with four of the top six teams from last year’s final Atlantic Region poll.

Despite the grueling slate this spring, the pieces appear to be in place for Seton Hill Baseball to take their next step. Returning behind the plate is fifth-year senior Pat Trettel (.343, 15 HR, 47 RBI). Fresh off a 1st Team All-WVIAC, 2nd Team All-Atlantic Region and Rawlings Atlantic Region Gold Glove season, Trettel will solidify the middle of the SHU lineup and provide a solid backstop. The talent behind Trettel is plentiful, with junior catcher Anthony Agliori and sophomores Alex Hetrick and Mike Leviseur. This group will team-up with what is expected to be a strong pitching staff top-to-bottom. Senior Andrew Dinardo (2-1, 5 SV, 4.05 ERA) returns as the Griffin all-time saves leader, looking to encore his consecutive All-WVIAC honorable mention seasons. The other senior hurler, Josh Guthrie (3-2, 3.21 ERA), worked his way into last year’s rotation and is expected to vie for a weekend spot again this spring. A group of solid junior arms is highlighted by returning starters Rick Raraigh (4-6, 5.24 ERA) and Brian Warheit (4-2, 5.18 ERA). Juniors DJ Cannon (3-2, 4 SV, 2.82 ERA) and Dan Astfalk (4-0, 4.59 ERA) look set to be impact guys in both starting and relieving roles again in 2010. The bullpen is a deep one with sophomores Clint White, Greg Daviault (1-1, 4.50 ERA), Christian Muth (2-0, 3.00 ERA) and Jon Murphy (1-0, 5.14 ERA) back with a year of big game experience under their belts. Freshman newcomer Bob Carbaugh impressed enough during the fall to make a strong push for quality innings, along with junior Matt Schwartzmiller and two-way junior Pat Kohl. The staff rounds out with sophomores Taylor Campbell and Kevin Urtz, and freshmen Brandon Sandusky and Cory Kaltenbaugh.

Despite the loss of four-time 1st Team All-Conference shortstop Mike McCarthy, the Griffin infield appears deeper than years past. Junior Tom Deangelis (.296, 6 HR, 23 RBI) returns at third base, along with junior Dave McCarthy (.228, 18 RBI, 9 SB) at second base. The shortstop job will be battled out between sophomore Ed Skonieczny and sophomore transfer Nick Erminio. Junior transfer Zack Johns and freshman Kyle Sasala have both asserted themselves into the mix at all three infield spots and give the Griffins a plethora of options in the infield. The first base duties will be shared by senior Mark Henry (.318, 23 RBI) and junior Jared Littler (.376, 30 RBI), a 2009 WVIAC honorable mention pick. Sophomore Jeff Simon, freshman 3B/C Mike Cima and freshman 1B/OF Brad Comport round out the infield group.

Roaming centerfield for the third straight year will be senior Luke Pisarcik (.294, 11 2Bs). Pisarcik will be flanked by sophomore JR Tenney (.282, 21 RBI, 9 SB) who posted solid numbers in his freshman campaign. After hitting a career best .313 last season, junior Pat Kohl appears ready to be a staple in the outfield as well. Sophmores Nate Defilippi and Josh Logan round out an extremely athletic rotation of every day outfielders. Sophomore Arnaldo Rincones and freshman Ryan Martin are anticipated to see extensive action at the JV level.