The Cadets are coming off an impressive 2011 season finishing 21-4 overall and 18-2 in the FCIAC. 2011 marked the start off a new era in St. Joseph baseball as St. Joseph grad Jim Chaves '98 took over for Bob Studley. Although the team fell short of their goal of winning a FCIAC and State Championship the season can still be viewed as a positive step toward the ultimate goal...league and state championships.
The Cadets spent 4 weeks as the #1 ranked team in the state as well as in the Top 5 for the majority of the season. They landed 2 players on the All-State team in Tyler Matakevich '11 and Quinn Irwin'11. St. Joe's also had 4 players make the CT Post All Star team. Matakevich and Irwin were joined by Alexis Guadalupe '12 and Joe Burns '12.
As for 2012, the Cadets feel they have the ingredients to make a run at both the FCIAC and Class M State Championship.
Letterwinners Lost (11): Eleven players are gone from a year ago. The most notable are All-Staters Tyler Matakevich and Quinn Irwin, as well as Conor Crouse '11.
Letterwinners Returning (7): Loads of Offense return from last year's team. Four year starter and St. John's commit Joe Burns returns for his senior season. He will handle catching duties as well as hit in middle of line up. Also back is Senior Alexis Guadalupe who had a breakout Junior year in which he hit .480 with over 30 RBIs. He will play RF. Senior shortstop Jason Holcomb'12 returns after having a standout junior campaign. He will hit in the middle of the order. He will handle top of the rotation pitching duties to go along with playing short. John Amoroso '12 will lead the Cadets staff after handling #2 duties behind Irwin last year. Amoroso sported a 6-1 record to go along with an ERA slightly under 2.00. Slick fielding first baseman Jonathan Vazquez '12 will man his familiar spot from a year ago. He will be looked upon to add a bit more offense this season. Matt Batten '13 gained valuable experience filling in for Holcomb at Shortstop when he pitched. He is looked upon to anchor the middle infield this year along with Holcomb. Big things are expected for this up and comer.
Newcomers:Sean Burson '12 will add depth in IF and OF. Will start at 2nd when Holcomb is on the bump. Mark Hirschbeck '14 will see time in LF and hit near top of the order. Stanley Wolpiuk '13 will bolster the pitching staff as a spot starter and out of the pen. Jamie Brown '13 and Jordan Vazzano '14 will also add depth to the rotation working mainly out of the bullpen and spot start.
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