As opening day approaches on March 6 for the SUNY Cortland Club Baseball team, new players and extensive workouts make the team a strong competitor to watch. Practices have shifted from general conditioning and skill development to more game-based drills, readying the team for a game-day victory.
In addition to their regular practice schedule, the team has incorporated live at-bats into training sessions this week and will continue to do so leading up to competition day.
Eddie Baranowski, junior and third baseman on the team, stressed the importance of training for the upcoming season.
“Live at-bats have made my batting game so much stronger, and training as we have has made me the best player I’ve been throughout my career,” said Baranowski.
Recent practices have emphasized bullpen sessions to ensure arms are ready and prepared for game day.
“ These throwing sessions have been increasing communication and consistency with the team,” said Baranowski. “Speeds and accuracy have significantly improved.”
Owen Lanzarone, junior pitcher and outfielder from Greenwich, Connecticut, is also very confident about the upcoming spring season.
“We have aspirations of making a deep playoff run and winning a national championship; we just need to make sure everyone is working hard on and off the field to get there,” said Lanzarone.
Lanzarone emphasizes the importance of pitchers taking care of their arms.
“I have been easing back into things, throwing bullpens, taking care of my arm and making sure I feel my best for the season, that goes for the whole pitching staff as well,” Lanzarone said.
Lanzarone spoke optimistically about the upcoming season.
“We have high hopes for this upcoming season, winning the conference comes first, and winning the region,” said Lanzarone. “If we can complete that, we’ll be on our way to nationals.”
Beyond preparation on the field, two new players have joined this semester. Nick Deluca and James Markarian. Deluca, Long Island, outfielder, adds to the defensive lineup as well as Markarian, catcher from St. Francis Prep.
Carter Albano serves as Secretary and is a senior middle fielder from East Greenbush, NY. Albano said he is enthusiastic about the upcoming season.
“My teammates and I couldn’t be more excited and ready to go,” said Albano.
Albano emphasizes the importance of the new players on the team. He is aiming for both Deluca and Markarian to start in the upcoming game.
Carson Joint is a junior and currently serves as Treasurer for the club. Joint is a catcher and is excited about the skills the new players will add to the team. He emphasizes the advantages of their training regimens had compared to those of the opposing teams.
“We have been practicing in Lusk for a few times a week, sometimes as late as 11 pm to 1 am,’’ Joint said. “Cortland facilities, such as Lusk, are a significant advantage. Not every school had the opportunity to practice indoors for free this early in the year.”
The team has games on March 6 and March 7 against Oneonta, March 28 and March 29 against Brockport, April 11and April 28 against Clarkson, and April 25 against Binghamton.