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Harwich Mariners 2005 Season Preview

05/27/2005 10:39 AM

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for immediate release: 27 May, 2005

Harwich Mariners 2005 Season Preview

Harwich Looks To Overcome Numerous Pre-Season Roster Changes

HARWICH, Mass.- Steve Englert’s third season as field manager of the Harwich Mariners began frantically, as they lost several players to Team USA in early May. Despite this turnover, Englert believes his team can overcome these losses and improve on last summer’s 20-24 record.

     “When you pick high-profile kids, it’s a roller coaster ride,” said Englert, regarding the ever-present uncertainty of losing players to Team USA or the MLB draft. “Everyone is in the same situation.” 

     Kevin Mulvey (Villanova) is the lone returning player from last season’s Mariners’ team. After pitching extremely well down the stretch last summer, Mulvey has continued his winning ways this spring, pitching a no-hitter against Connecticut in March. 

     Harwichport native and former local high school standout Cody Crowell (Vanderbilt) will be counted on to perform well in front of the home crowd. The left-handed pitcher has compiled a 2-0 record with a 1.23 ERA this spring and will pitch primarily in mid-relief for the Mariners. Stephen Shao, a teammate of Crowell’s at Vanderbilt, will serve as a pitcher and outfielder. 

     Barring any further losses, the remainder of the pitching staff will consist of Pat Bresnehan (Arizona State), George Kontos (Northwestern), Dan McDonald (Seton Hall), Harold Mozingo (Virginia Commonwealth), Kyle Parker (Washington), and Nick Starnes (UNC-Greensboro). 

     On offense, Jim Negrych (Pittsburgh) will be one of the top hitters. The second basemen was named 2005 Big East Preseason Player of the Year and has lived up to the hype, hitting .358 with seven home runs, 41 RBI and a .608 slugging percentage. In the outfield, Greg Thomson (St. John’s) and Jonathan Wyatt (Georgia) will provide power and speed. The outfield depth will be one of the team’s strengths. 

     Catcher Jordan Newton (Western Kentucky), infielders Sean Dolittle (Virginia), Brandon McArthur (Florida), Joe Persichina (Arizona State), John Shelby (Kentucky), Scott Sizemore (Virginia Commonwealth), and outfielders Jake Dugger (Arkansas) and Jared Kubin (Florida) will round out the squad. 

     Coach Englert believes his pitching staff needs some help in lieu of the recent losses to Team USA. “We are missing one starting pitcher that could solidify the rotation as well as a closer,” Englert said. “Offensively, we are very good - one of the better hitting teams - but I’d rather have it the other way with pitching.” 

     Englert has already brought in some quality players to replace those lost to Team USA. Chad Flack (North Carolina) is hitting .345 with 12 home runs in Chapel Hill this spring. Joining him in the infield is Northeastern’s Arman Sidhu, an excellent defensive shortstop who will bring stability to the infield. 

     Harwich has a number of former players in Major League Baseball, including one “Cowboy Up Idiot” from the World Champion Red Sox. In 1992, before his KFC commercial days, Kevin Millar patrolled first base for the Mariners. Other former Harwich players in the big leagues include New York Yankees catcher John Flaherty, slugging Detroit Tigers first baseman and Cape League Hall of Famer Carlos Pena, Minnesota shortstop Jason Bartlett and Tampa Bay right-hander Dewon Brazelton.

     Harwich will again play their home games at Whitehouse Field. The season begins June 16, at home against the East Division rival Chatham A’s 

Colin Reed, Cape League intern
[email protected]

John Garner, Jr.
CCBL Director of Public Relations &
Broadcasting
(508) 790-0394 [email protected]