The 2008 Worcester State College Lancer baseball team will be looking to return to championship form this season after a substandard 2007 season.  This year’s team expects to meld the high powered offense of a year ago with a strong pitching staff.

The team boasts a roster with 8 seniors who will all be expected to provide strong leadership.  Leading the way for the Lancers offensively will be the tandem of All New England seniors Chris Gusha and Nate Nelson.  Last season both players were 1^st team All-MASCAC selections with both players batting over .400 for the season.  Gusha led the team with a .442 average with 34 RBI  and played a solid right field for the Lancers a year  ago.  Nelson, who has been selected as a d3baseball.com preseason All-American, batted .435 with 10 homeruns and 32 RBI.

In the infield, Nelson will anchor Worcester State at first base.  Nelson will be backed up by sophomore’s Nick Fluegge and Joe Regan.  At second base, sophomore Ryan LaPrade will return after a solid freshman year where he batted .304 for the Lancers.  Freshman Peter Ferrelli will serve as LaPrade’s backup to begin the season.  Shortstop will be sorted out early in the season.  Senior Mike Moffett and Ryan Raleigh will be competing for the starting slot.  Moffett is making the switch from second base where he has played the majority of his Worcester State career.  At the hot corner, Nick Dortona and Ryan Hawley are in a solid competition for the starting slot.  Behind the plate, senior Chris Logan returns for his third year as the every day catcher.  Freshmen Johno Hinkell and Paul Wentzell will serve as Logan’s backup.

In the outfield, freshman Will Thompson will back up Gusha in right field. Sophomore Nick Caparell, who batted .333 as a freshman, will handle the centerfield duties this year.  Corey Abbascia will challenge for playing time in the outfield as well.  Transfer Matt Hart will handle the left-fielder chores this year.  Senior Mike McCormack will back up Hart.

The pitching staff features numerous veterans.  Sophomore Joey Lucier will start the year as the top Lancer pitcher.  Lucier was 2-0 as a freshman hurler for the Lancers.  Senior Joel Brierley, who a has been a solid contributor over his three year Lancer career, along with juniors Craig McBride and Pat Good will be competing for conference starts.  Junior Josh Buzzell will be an often used reliever this year as he led the Lancers in appearances last season making 18 out of the bullpen.  Andy Cunningham and Tony Brunetta are the lone left handers on the team and will be counted on out of the bullpen in 2008.  Sophomore Kevin Hayes and freshmen Bobby DeVito and Tom Brown will also look to bolster the pitching staff.