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Loaded Bulldog baseball looks to finish the job

by Michael Leonard

Sports Editor

Peninsula -- For the Woodridge baseball team, times have been good in recent years.

In each of the last two seasons, Woodridge has won the Portage Trial Conference County Division title, set a school record for wins and won the Division III district title.

Here's the scary part for Woodridge opponents: this year's team could be even better.

"We're very optimistic on having a successful season," said Woodridge coach Dennis Dever. "Our kids are working very hard because we know the pressure will be on us. We know we have some major holes to fill. I think we'll have as good a team as anyone in the area."

Dever, the 2007 RPC baseball coach of the year, said his team established three goals for the season: win the PTC, win 25 games and win a state championship.

How does Woodridge plan to improve on a 27-3 season from last year? With a roster loaded with 12 seniors, nine of which are returning letterman.

"It's the biggest senior class we've ever had," Dever said. "The leadership they provide is very good. It's arguably the best class in school history."

At the head of that class is center fielder Nick Jones. The 2007 RPC Player of the Year returns after a season where he hit .478 with 33 RBIs and a school record 39 runs scored from the lead-off slot. He also was 5-1 with a 1.70 earned-run average 58 strikeouts and two saves, while serving as Woodridge's No. 3 starter/closer.

Jones has signed to continue his career at the Savannah College of Art and Design and might be in the running for No. 1 starter spot, according to Dever.

"He's made a quite a bit of progress on the mound," Dever said. "He's definitely our inspirational leader. He's the guy that fires the team up."

The fact Jones could be the Bulldogs' No. 1 starter says a lot, considering Woodridge has a great returning 1-2 starting pitching punch in Dave Krusinski Jr. and Jordan Wilhite.

A three-sport star at Woodridge, Krusinski needs just two wins to become the all-time winningest pitcher in school history. He's signed with Walsh University to play baseball and is coming off a great season which saw him go 7-0 with a 2.26 ERA and 60 strikeouts.

When not on the mound, Krusinski will move from third base to shortstop this season. Dever said Krusinski will hit fourth in the Bulldogs order and "is swinging his bat as good as he ever has" after hitting .366 with 32 RBIs last season.

Wilhite transferred in from Walsh Jesuit last year and had a huge season both on the mound and in right field.

"He was a kid who was tremendous asset for us," Dever said. "The kid outworks anybody on our team."

Wilhite set a new record for wins in a season, going 8-2 with two saves, a 2.73 ERA and 68 strikeouts. He also hit .405 with 26 RBIs and 37 hits while hitting in the seventh slot, where he'll likely return this season.

Woodridge got another lift last season from Joe Lewandowski, who transferred from Hudson and had a great season starting at first base. In addition to his continued work at first base, Dever expects Lewandowski to fill the closer's role this season. He hit .417 with three homers and 38 RBIs last year and likely will hit in the fifth slot this season.

At the other end of the battery, Woodridge might have the best catcher in the area in senior Mike DeBord.

"He's the backbone of our team," Dever said. "He's one of the best players in Woodridge history. He had a good arm last year and he's continued to improved this year. It's just a howitzer behind the plate."

DeBord's bat is as valuable as his arm as he hit .468 with a team-high 40 RBIs and 44 hits and four home runs. He will hit third in the Bulldogs' order.

A group of seniors will be in the mix for outfield time for Woodridge beginning with Rick Cavanaugh. Dever said Cavanaugh's bat will is good enough to lock him into the No. 2 slot in Woodridge's lineup either as outfielder or designated hitter.

Fellow seniors Andy Fay, Matthew Volchko and junior varsity call-up Brandon Starcher also will be in the outfield mix.

After seeing part-time starting work at third base last year, senior Tom Barracato will get the nod at third base this year and also will serve as backup catcher. He will hit in the eight or nine slot.

Two junior varsity call-ups round out the senior class as Chris Capaldo will compete for time at second base and Tyler Barnhart will serve as bullpen catcher and designated hitter.

Woodridge's lone junior on varsity will be catcher/outfielder Josh Chadima, who Dever calls the best athlete on the team.

Sophomore pitcher Anthony Westren saw major time last year as a freshman. As the Bulldogs' No. 5 starter, he went 5-0 with a 4.00 ERA last season and Dever expects more in the same role this year.

"He put on a lot of muscle in the offseason," Dever said. "He's just a very hard worker like Wilhite. We expect some big things over the next few years."

Sophomore Derek Morgan rounds out the roster. Dever said Morgan has the inside track to start at second base and will hit near the bottom of the order.

Varsity assistant Rick Hardy is back for his ninth year as Dever's right hand man, while Larry Collins also returns as varsity assistant. Mark Petrusky is back as junior varsity coach while Mark Opritza coaches the freshman team.

Dever said his team will play perhaps the toughest schedule in school history, beginning with a home game April 1 vs. Ravenna. First pitch is set for 4:15 p.m.

E-mail: mleonard@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113