Dean baseball begins their season down in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. (Photo Courtesy: Deanbulldogs.com
The Dean College Baseball team is gearing up for another season after last year saw them finish 9-28 and miss the conference playoffs, leading to the departure of head coach Ernie May. Endy Morales now takes the reigns as the new head coach after spending last season at Amherst College, where he worked with the pitchers and helped in recruiting.
“Connecting with this group has been an experience that has surpassed my expectations, they carried over the momentum we had from the fall and our relationship has grown,” Morales said. “We have a much more positive culture; this allows us to have an environment we can grow in and constantly communicate. Whether they are good conversations or not-so-great conversations, we are able to understand each other and the reasoning behind everything we do,” Morales continued. Dean players such as Tyler Giambra and shortstop / second baseman Seth Cruz second the great relationships they have formed with Morales.
Morales takes over a Dean team that is still considerably young with 13 freshmen on the roster. But the coach still believes they can make some noise with the ability to play a combination of small and long ball. I want our identity to be a team that constantly puts pressure on other teams, on both sides of the ball,” Morales explained. Morales is expecting a big season from third baseman / right-handed pitcher Tyler Giambra, right-handed pitcher Domenic Brazeau, freshman shortstop / right-handed pitcher Owen Critchley, freshman right-handed pitcher Nick Swain, outfielder Colin Favata, second baseman Gavin Goss, and outfielder / designated hitter Nathan Suncar.
“Our team goal is to pick each other up and leave it all out on the field. Of course, winning is important, we know that ultimately that's what we want, so the best goal to achieve is making playoffs. I want our guys to experience what playoff baseball is all about,” Morales said.
“As a first-time head coach, my personal goal is to become comfortable managing all facets of the game and feeling confident about my decisions. I want to cherish the process and watch these guys come together and enjoy competing. Seeing them grow into one cohesive unit and make lifelong memories are what I will enjoy the most,” Morales continued.
“We want to prove everyone wrong. We know what we can do but we just have to go out and play and fight for a title,” sophomore Tyler Giambra said. Giambra said he would also rather see the team win than see himself succeed.
A constant theme around the team is effective communication and adapting to game situations. “Some team goals we are adopting include effective communication, having a positive mindset and working together as a whole,” senior Seth Cruz said.
“We’ve looked pretty well-rounded. We are still a young team but have plenty of talent around us,” Cruz mentioned. “Everyone is working to get better and do the right things to be successful. The mood in practices is up lifting. We are making strides in becoming more of a cohesive team and willing to do what it takes to win,” Cruz concluded.
Cruz was also one of the four players to be named team captain this season for the Bulldogs along with catcher James Galati, left-handed pitcher Matt Hallinan and first baseman Joey Bossinas. “I’m glad to be named as one of the four captains. I’m able to be a role model to others while also expressing my leadership skills through practice and games,” Cruz explained. “With having a couple of years of experience, I’m willing to share and help out other teammates from what I’ve learned,” Cruz continued.
“Some personal goals I have for this season are becoming more of a leader and being able to adapt to different situations quickly,” Cruz said.
Dean baseball begins their season down in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina over spring break with the first two matchups on Saturday, March 9th versus Hilbert College at 10:30 a.m. and then Fredonia at 6:30 p.m.