Depth to carry Sweet Home baseball in ECIC II

Senior tri-captain Travis Denman returns for his third year with the Sweet Home baseball team. Denman threw a no-hitter last year.

The Sweet Home baseball team endured a rough 2007 season so hopefully a change in scenery from ECIC I to ECIC II will help the Panthers find success in 2008.

Coach Derek Zgoda feels depth on the roster will be one of the team strengths towards a winning season.

"There are 18 players that have the attitude and ability to make great contributions this season," said Zgoda, whose team finished 2-17 overall last year. "Practices have been extremely productive as the team is focused upon playing together and putting all of their energy into making the season a successful one."

Sweet Home moved down to ECIC II based on student enrollment numbers.

"ECIC II is an extremely strong and competitive division," said Zgoda. "Any team in our division can win the league and the ability gap from top to bottom is miniscule."

Sweet Home is led by senior tri-captain infielders/ pitchers Travis Denman and Brian Pappgallo and infielder John Graziano.

"All three captains provide a tremendous amount of leadership for our team," said Zgoda. "They are responsible, have a strong sense of work ethic and truly lead by example."

It's Denman's third year on the team. Denman threw a no-hitter against West Seneca West last year and struck out 11 batters to give Sweet Home its first win of the season.

Denman and Graziano are returning ECIC I honorable mention all-stars.

Other returning players include seniors Brian Barnas (pitcher), Chris Hammer (catcher, pitcher) and Aaron Klein (first base) and juniors Ryan Gutt (outfield), Casey Kacz (infield, pitcher), Bryan Price (outfield), Mike Wolcott (outfield, pitcher) and Craig Young (catcher).

"Our team has a strong presence of senior leadership, and a group of players that have the desire to make this a positive and rewarding season," said Zgoda.

Newcomers to the roster include juniors Alex Frase (catcher), Dan Ministero (infield), Dominick Puntillo (infield, outfield), Phillip Stewart (infield, pitcher), David Wantuck (infield) and sophomores Zach Fumerelle (infield, pitcher) and Cody Stonish (infield, pitcher).

Zgoda said a team goal is to get better each day so they are playing its best basketball when the sectional tournament begins.

"If every player continues to work hard, and embrace the true team concept, I feel that we can have a successful and memorable season," said Zgoda.

Sweet Home opens at 4:30 p.m. on Friday at Clarence.
Sweet Home 2008 Schedule
4-4 at Clarence............................................ 4:30 p.m.
4-7 Clarence ................................................ 4:45 p.m.
4-8 Lancaster............................................... 4:45 p.m.
4-21 East ...................................................... 4:30 p.m.
4-23 at Iroquois........................................... 4:30 p.m.
4-24 at South ............................................... 4:30 p.m.
4-25 Lake Shore.......................................... 4:30 p.m.
4-28 at W.S. East......................................... 4:30 p.m.
4-30 Hamburg................................................... 5 p.m.
5-5 South 4:45 ..................................................... p.m.
5-6 Maryvale ................................................ 4:30 p.m.
5-7 at East ................................................... 4:30 p.m.
5-8 Canisius ................................................. 4:30 p.m.
5-9 Iroquois.................................................. 4:30 p.m.
5-13 at Lake Shore ..................................... 4:30 p.m.
5-14 W.S. East ............................................. 4:30 p.m.
5-16 at Hamburg ......................................... 4:30 p.m.
5-19 at Cheektowaga ................................. 4:30 p.m.
5-20 at Starpoint ......................................... 4:15 p.m.
5-21 Cheektowaga ...................................... 4:30 p.m.
5-22 at Amherst .......................................... 4:30 p.m.
5-23 at Lancaster ........................................ 4:30 p.m.