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Whittier Baseball Preview

2007 record: 9-11, did not make tournament

Returning starters (6): Austin Brodie, Sr., P/C/SS/CF; A.J. DeRoche, Sr., P/SS; Ethan Mooradian, Sr., 2B/OF; David Campbell, Sr., CF; Steve Clark, Jr., 3B/1B; Bill Lafferty, Soph., 2B/SS

Returning lettermen: John Starner, Sr., Utility; Dennis Asselin, Jr., P/OF; Jonathan Tannian, Jr., OF; Dillon Ryan, Soph., OF; Edgardo Terrero, Soph., C

Newcomers: Colby Starner, Soph., C; Damian Colman, Jr., 3B/LF; Tyler Baker, Jr., P/INF; Dante Perella, Soph., P/INF; Steve Surette, Soph., C; Mark Coppetta, Soph., INF; Nate Allen, Soph., 1B; Brandon Martinez, Frosh., OF; Jeremy Scannell, Sr., Utility; James Nickerson, Sr., Utility

Candidates in all grades: 75

Captains: Austin Brodie, A.J. DeRoche, Ethan Mooradian, David Campbell

Returning leaders: Steve Clark, .435 avg., 12 runs, 22 RBIs; Austin Brodie, .340 avg., 2-5 record; A.J. DeRoche, .327 avg., 12 RBIs, 3-5 record; Dillon Ryan 1-0 record, 1 save

Returning honorees: Steve Clark, All-CAC upper division

Assistants: Dan Francescone, assistant; Russ Riccio, assistant

Opener: April 9, vs. Minuteman

Odds and ends: After an 18-5 season in 2006, the best Whittier baseball win total in over two decades, the Cats missed the state tourney for the first time since 2001. ... The Cats have souped up the non-league slate with games against Haverhill, North Andover, Methuen and Lawrence. ... Outfielder David Campbell, who struggled with a finger injury through the basketball season, now is dealing with a painful wrist injury.  

Coach Joe Boland (14th year, 139-124): "The whole goal now is just to get 10 wins and make the tournament. I see us being pretty good defensively. We're looking to A.J. DeRoche and Austin Brodie to pick up where they left off on the mound last year. We're going to have to scrap and somebody needs to step up and hit the ball."