Sweet Home in right frame of mind

Sweet Home baseball coach Derek Zgoda felt his team last year struggled offensively which put a lot of pressure on pitching and defense. This season, he thinks his team will need all three phases - offense, defense, and pitching - to be successful in an ultra competitive ECIC Division I.

One area Zgoda feels his team already has is the proper attitude.

"I feel that this team has come into this season with a positive attitude and a desire to get better," he said. "We have a good level of depth, and a good balance of returning starters with experience, and first year players that are hungry to compete."

Five players return from last year's team, which finished 10-12 overall and 5-9 in ECIC I. They are senior tri-captains Derek Wiser, Ryan Maxwell and Corey Sykes, senior Alex Esposito and junior Travis Denman.

Wiser, who hit .400 during last year's Section VI playoffs, returns as the starting catcher where he plays great defense. Maxwell, who Zgoda calls a complete baseball player, returns at third base and will also have an opportunity to be in the starting pitching rotation. Sykes brings an excellent work ethic to the outfield and will have a chance to see some time on the mound, Zgoda said.

Zgoda said the trio was named captains for the way they carry themselves on the field.

"Each of these players carry themselves with class," Zgoda said. "They display outstanding leadership skills, have a tremendous sense of determination and work ethic, and set a great tone for practices and games."

Esposito, the team's offensive MVP last year with a .375 batting average, returns at shortstop. He was an ECIC Division II second team selection.

Denman (2.69 ERA in five starts last year) is the lone returning pitcher and should anchor the staff this season, Zgoda said.

The rest of the team is new, and includes seniors Dan Balsom (infielder, pitcher) and Rob Kurzdorfer (first, outfield, pitcher), juniors Brian Barnas (pitcher), John Graziano (infield), Chris Hammer (catcher), Aaron Klein (first base), Brian Pappagallo (infield, pitcher), and Matt Pasternak (first, pitcher) and sophomores Ryan Gutt (outfield), Brandon Hudson (second, outfield), Casey Kacz (shortstop, second, pitcher), Bryan Price (first, outfield), Mike Wolcott (outfield, pitcher), and Craig Young (outfield, catcher).

Zgoda said his team has a great chance to be competitive if they continue to work hard each day and stay committed and focused on growing and improving.

"Our goal is take one day at a time, and get to a point where we are playing our best baseball when the sectional tournament begins," said Zgoda. "There is a nice combination of players this year that have a great opportunity to have a positive season."

Sweet Home opened its season on Monday losing 7-0 to Clarence. They played Williamsville East on Tuesday but results were unavailable before The Bee went to press.
  Sweet Home 2007 Schedule
4-14 Baldwinsville .......... 11 a.m.
4-16 W.S. West................... 5 p.m.

4-18 at Orchard Park .. 4:30 p.m.
4-19 at Jamestown ...... 4:30 p.m.
(Strider Field)
4-20 North..................... 4:45 p.m.
4-23 at Lancaster ......... 4:30 p.m.
4-24 at Clarence........... 4:30 p.m.
4-25 at Frontier............ 4:30 p.m.
4-26 Hamburg............... 4:45 p.m.
4-30 Jamestown ........... 4:30 p.m.
5-1 Lockport ................. 4:30 p.m.
5-2 at W.S. West ........... 4:30 p.m.
5-4 Orchard Park......... 4:30 p.m.
5-7 at North .................. 4:30 p.m.
5-9 Lancaster................ 4:45 p.m.
5-11 Frontier................. 4:30 p.m.
5-14 at South ................ 4:30 p.m.
5-15 at Hamburg .......... 4:30 p.m.
5-16 Cheektowaga ....... 4:30 p.m.
5-17 at Cheektowaga .. 4:30 p.m.
5-21 at Lockport .......... 4:30 p.m.
5-22 at East .................. 4:30 p.m.