Senior Pat Young who climbing up the LHU pitching record books will be looked upon to be the Haven's ace this season.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Despite the chill still in the air, the Lock Haven University baseball team is set to the take to the diamond as the Bald Eagles are set for their 2008 season, one which is filled with promise.

Despite the youth in the Bald Eagles lineup they return plenty of talent and strong experience.

It’s the experience that LHU head coach Smokey Stover will rely on as this young team heads into the fresh season.

With all the youth on the squad Stover has really emphasized the mental part of the game in their preseason training, saying that they must overcome the challenges they will face early if they want to be successful.

“We have to compete against the challenges,” said Stover who is confident in his team. “I think we can make some noise and I believe in these guys,” he added, saying his team eyes a playoff run.

The Bald Eagles strengths lie in good hitting, strong defense and what looks to be a solid pitching rotation.

Pitching:

If you’re going to compete with the top teams in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West you have to have a strong pitching rotation and that’s exactly what the Haven brings to the table.

The Bald Eagles return three legitimate starters in the form of senior Pat Young (Allensville, Pa./Valley) and sophomores Josh Rote (McElhatton, Pa./Central Mountain) and Bobby Fiala (Pembroke Pines, Fla./Everglades).

Young, who was an All-PSAC selection in 2006 will be looked upon to be the Bald Eagles ace this season as he enters his senior campaign looking better than ever according to Stover. Stover is relying on Young’s experience and leadership saying he’s one of the team’s biggest strengths.

Young, who will be one of the top pitchers in the conference, went 2-6 last season with a 3.69 ERA and his 55 strikes where among the PSAC West leaders. He is 9-18 in his first three seasons and has 138 career strikeouts which rank as ninth-best in LHU history.

“He’s our leader,” said Stover who has been impressed with his senior-aces’ work ethic in getting ready for this upcoming season.

Fiala and Rote each won three games for the Haven last season. Fiala was 3-3 with 35 strikeouts in 47.1 innings pitched. Rote went 3-2 with 20 strikeouts in 36.1 innings worked.

Rote has good movement on all three pitches and is improving drastically.

Along with Young coach Stover says, Fiala is one of his toughest players mentally.

Stover stresses that the key for all of his pitchers lies in how each will respond once they get hit game time.

The Bald Eagles pitching depth doesn’t end with their top three as their fourth and fifth look ready to get into the mix.

Freshmen Jordan Yohn (Three Springs, Pa./Southern Huntington) and Andrew Simonik (Jermyn/Lakeland) could both see quality innings as true-freshmen as both are in the mix for coach Stover’s rotation.

Also looking to have bright futures are freshmen Tyler Rumsey (Manfield, Pa./Manfield) and David Masteller (Hazelzton, Pa./Hazelton Area).

Any successful pitching rotations relies on a solid closer game in game out and the Haven has exactly that in the form of sophomore Erik Christensen (Milford, Pa./Delaware Valley).

Christensen wants the ball in his hand to win games, says Stover, who calls his closer well-rounded and tough.

Infield:

Leading the way at catcher will be 2007 All-PSAC selection Teddy Stake (Lewsistown, Pa./Indian Valley) who led the team in hitting last season as a sophomore with a .347 average. He is solid behind the plate and brings strong hitting along with true leadership to the lineup.

Stake tallied 35 hits and recorded a slugging percentage of .465 with 19 RBI in ’07.

Also adding depth to the all-important catcher spot will be two transfers including sophomore Scott Gaston (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergen Catholic) and Nick Harner (Dauphin, Pa./Chowan College). Both are extremely talented and add much needed depth to the batting lineup as both swing the bat well.

Returning at first base is junior Matt Palko (Freeland, Pa./Hazelton Area) who had a .986 field percentage and committed only four errors all season long last year. He also hit .239, with 26 hits, 21 runs scored and 19 RBI.

Also adding depth to the first base position are Yohn, Kevin Kochkla (Norristown, Pa./Methacton) and sophomore-transfer Mike Drawbaugh (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock Township).

Drawbaugh adds great depth and versatility to the infield as he could play both first or third.

Freshman James Zimmerman (Woodland, Pa./Clearfield Area) is leading the way at second base. Zimmeran can also play in the outfield much like many of coach Stover’s athletes as they very versatile.

Zimmerman also adds strength on the base pads as he is a tremendous base runner with strong speed.

Fellow rookie Dean Pettinato (Clarks Summit, Pa./Abington Heights) is another good athlete who can hit the ball well and is vying for time at second.

Junior Zach Schuler (Mt. Wolf, Pa./Spring Grove) returns at shortstop and is looking better than he ever as according to Stover. He can get it done defensively and his swinging the bat well. Last season Schuler led the Haven with 20 RBI.

Third base will occupied by senior Tim Bremen (Effort, Pa./Sussex County C.C.) who returns with solid experience and leadership.

Outfield:

Returning to the lead the outfield is sophomore Mark Strouse (Milford, Pa./Delaware Valley) who will play leftfield. Last year Strouse was second on the team, hitting .342 and led the team with a .483 slugging percentage. He had a team-high 41 hits and led the team in doubles with 10.

Also adding depth to the outfield will be Zimmerman and Palko along sophomore Evan Petro (Johnstown, Pa./Richland).

Redshirt-freshman Matt McCamley (Philipsburg, Pa./Philipsburg-Osceola) is a much improved player who will strengthen the outfield with his athleticism and talent.

The key for this youthful Bald Eagles squad will be seeing how they respond to the early season challenges, but Stover is optimistic this group can do it.

“They are a competitive, close-knit group that believes in each other,” says Stover. “This is the most fun I’ve had coaching and they’re having fun playing.”

The Bald Eagles will get right to it and kick off their 2008 schedule tomorrow at 6 p.m. when they play Kutztown University in part of the 2008 Builder Invitational Tournament hosted by the Apprentice School in Newport News, Va.