Timmes will continue to utilize the pitching rotation that could see any number of players pitching in any number of roles. ECC Preseason Pitcher of the Year Bobby Kay (Stony Brook, N.Y.) returns as the senior ace of the staff and will see most of his innings as a starting pitcher. The righty looks to repeat last season's 7-2, 2.14 ERA performance while serving as a big game pitcher for the Pioneers.
Senior Kenny Grassano (Valley Stream, N.Y.) and junior Pete Budkevics (Deer Park, N.Y.) are also looking for success as starters in the rotation. Budkevics, along with Kay, will be one of Timmes' go-to pitchers, and Grassano, if healthy, could be a big part of the rotation.
Junior transfer Mark Czerniawski (Glen Cove, N.Y.) and freshman Glen Hudson (West Sayville, N.Y.) are two newcomers that the coaching staff has high expectations for. Czerniawski is a command pitcher, and Hudson is a lefty with good control, and both will look to make in impact in their first seasons with the team.
Junior Brian Saldana (Deer Park, N.Y.) saw several spot starts last year in addition to his relief role, and Timmes is looking for a similar showing from the lefty in 2009. Dan Walsh (Centereach, N.Y.) and Roger Pfeffer (Whitestone, N.Y.) both saw time on the mound last year, and Timmes indicates that both will be relied upon to play a bigger role this season. Pfeffer, a sophomore, will continue his development while staying in the mix for starts, and Walsh's progression last season put him in position to handle more innings during his senior year.
Brett Belsky (Brooklyn, N.Y.), a junior righty, will continue to serve in a middle relief role, along with several freshman who will be in the mix for relief and starting roles. Michael Behar (Staten Island, N.Y.) has good velocity on his fastball and will see time out of the bullpen. Greg Byrnes (Mount Sinai, N.Y.) is a control pitcher who could provide good secondary middle relief. Steve Plochochi (Sayville, N.Y.) has good control and keeps batters off balance, and will push for innings out of the bullpen. Mike Stolfi (Cos Cob, Conn.) missed much of the fall season with illness, but has the size that Timmes thinks could indicate good production from the freshman. Alfano and Compito could also see time on the mound in addition to their infield duties.
A grueling schedule down south is the way the Pioneers will start off their season, as they play traditionally strong teams like Ashland and Grand Valley State in the RussMatt Invitational in Winter Haven, Florida.
"We're going to see some tough competition," says Timmes, "but we'll come back from Florida a better team."
The ECC schedule includes traditional rivals such as Adelphi and Dowling, and Timmes has also scheduled non-league games with NE-10 opponents UMass-Lowell, Southern New Hampshire, New Haven, Southern Connecticut and Stonehill, along with CACC members Wilmington (Del.), Bloomfield, Post, Dominican and Caldwell.