Pitching sparks Molloy's quality start

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There is plenty of optimism surrounding both the Molloy College baseball and softball programs this spring, and an improved pitching staff is the biggest reason why for both teams.

The Lions’ baseball club had plenty of question marks in its starting rotation at the beginning of the season, after losing multiple key arms from last year’s squad. But so far this spring, the trio of Ronny Bauer, Bobby Kelly, and Anthony Catinella stepped up on the mound in a big way.

“The three of them have given us a solid starting rotation,” Lions head coach Joe Fucarino said. “Our pitching staff is much deeper than last season.”

The three starters, along with an upgraded bullpen, have allowed Molloy to get through a tough non-conference schedule with an 11-6 record. Kelly and Catinella already have three wins apiece, and Bauer has pitched to a 0.33 ERA through his first four starts. 

The offense has also been a major reason for the team’s promising start. Quality returning players, such as Anthony Galanoudis, Angelo Navetta, Kevin Podell, Deilyn Guzman, Brian Murphy, and Anthony Alberghina, have helped make Molloy’s lineup dangerous from top-to-bottom. 

“Our offensive approach has been very good,” Fucarino said. “We have a deep lineup, and a lot of options I can go to on the bench. Overall the whole group is just doing it together.”

In his junior season, Galanoudis has emerged as one of the team’s most dangerous bats. He is hitting .436 in his first 13 contests.

The Lions get into the heart of the East Coast Conference schedule beginning April 8 with a home doubleheader against the University of Bridgeport at Mitchel Field Athletic Complex.

Fucarino has set high aspirations. “Getting into the conference tournament is the main goal, and then we will go from there,” he said. “We’re a little bit more mature this year. The guys in our lineup for the most part have been playing for a few years, and are now ready to take on the everyday starting role.”

Fast start for Lady Lions
The Lions’ softball team is looking sharp early on, as well. The club has won eight in a row, and opened their conference schedule with doubleheader sweeps over both Queens College and Saint Thomas Aquinas College.

Head coach Susan Cassidy-Lyke’s squad also features a much more consistent starting pitching group than a year ago.

“I feel very good about our pitching staff,” Cassidy-Lyke said. “I feel better than I did last year, and that’s mostly because of how Chelsea is looking.”

In her junior season, Chelsea Hawks has become one of her team’s best arms. She has struck out an impressive 72 batters in her first 61 innings.

“I think we’re seeing a little bit more consistency out of her,” Cassidy-Lyke said. “She’s really leading the way for our staff, which is exciting.”

Jenna Turato also has been a bright spot in her freshman season, pitching to an ERA of 1.76 in her first nine appearances. 

On offense, Molloy is once again led by Conference Player of the Year, Tracey Balinskas. She is off to another fine start, batting .391, through her first 21 games.

Returning to the lineup after a one-year absence is Milan Botte. She’s also hitting .391 this season, and has given the team’s middle of the lineup a major boost.

“Getting Milan Botte back has really helped us out,” Cassidy-Lyke said. “She bats in the four slot for us, and gives us more power. She was always a big player with us for two years, and I’m really excited that she’s back.”

After falling just one game short of appearing in the conference final last spring, Cassidy-Lyke believes she has a team capable of another deep postseason run.

“We definitely have more depth in the pitching area this season. We also got the extra bat with Milan back, and a lot of great returners in the lineup,” she said. “We’re much stronger overall, and I feel good about our chances to get back there again.”