Baseball

Thursday, March 27, 2008

BY MARK JAFFEE

Copyright © 2008 Republican-American

WATERBURY-Watertown's Eric Rovinetti plays baseball with a football-type mentality that Post University baseball coach A.J. McNamara marvels about.

Rovinetti instinctively moved to second base on a delayed steal and to third on a walk when the ball hit in the dirt in the third inning Wednesday.

The next batter, Jim Conto, responded by belting a three-run home run to extend the Eagles' lead in an eventual 17-4 victory over Albertus Magnus College at Municipal Stadium.

"Eric is focused and determined to be the best he can be," said McNamara, in his second season as head coach. "His energy level is second to none, and the other players fuel off of him."

Rovinetti, one of the team leaders in hitting with a .364 batting average, is taking every chance in the outfield and every chance to score in his senior year.

"My hope is to keep the momentum going in innings and to do all of the little things right, like running the bases," said Rovinetti. "Everyone is contributing and doing their part. We're all playing relaxed, having fun and playing with confidence."

Conto drilled his first career home run to left-centerfield in the third and added an RBI single in the sixth.

"It's a lot easier when runners are on base early in the game," said Conto. "Coach McNamara is stressing to us to make contact and keep the ball in play."

And should the ball sail over the fence, Conto will certainly take it and savor the moment.

"Jim's home run picked up everyone's energy level in the dugout," noted McNamara.

Post starter, winning pitcher Michael Wolfe (2-1), also gained confidence as he worked with an 8-0 lead. Wolfe allowed just two hits and two walks in five innings.

"Having that run support, I was able to relax and not focus so much on every single pitch," said Wolfe. "Last year, I was tense all of the time and my (earned run average) was not very low. Now, I'm older and smarter. The key is my teammates told me that I needed to relax more and that has made a big difference."

That approach has been contagious not only on the mound, but at the plate and in the field, according to Conto.

The Eagles' 3-0 win Tuesday over Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference contender Caldwell, behind Brendan Wyman's four-hit shutout, also helped the team morale.

"Our confidence is rising," said Conto, who is hitting a team-leading .370 through 18 games with 16 hits in 44 at-bats. "We are starting to realize our potential."

They believe that will translate into qualifying for the CACC Tournament, which the Eagles failed to reach last season.

"We are very excited about this season," senior pitcher Curtis Anthony of Torrington, who struck out the side to end the ninth Wednesday. "We have a veteran squad, some good college transfers and definitely high hopes."

Among those transfers is third baseman Corey Huffine, a Colorado native who played at McCook (Neb.) Community College. He hit one of the Eagles' three home runs Wednesday and is hitting .355 with 16 runs scored.

"I chose Post because it was exciting to have the opportunity to play every day and be a part of something really good," said Huffine.

McNamara feels that Huffine and fellow juco transfers Mike Moriarty (starting catcher), Donnie Dlabola (right fielder), Ben Schoenberg (pitcher) and Johnny Figueroa (outfield) have blended in well and that something special could be on the horizon for the Eagles (7-11).

"I am really proud of the effort of the players and the direction that the program is taking," said McNamara.

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