Player Profiles
Brian Biskupiak-14The teams starting left fielder and one of the Hawks most durable players. Played and started every game for the last two season's. Has improved at the plate each season and will be counted on this year to drive in high RBI numbers. A smart runner and natural leader, he is expected to have his best season. COLLEGE: As a junior, he batted .296 while driving in 24 RBI's. Averaged .333 during a seven-game hitting streak last season. Played in all 39 games in left field as a sophomore, finishing third on the team with 22 RBI's. Served as a utility pinch hitter as a freshman. HIGH SCHOOL: Batted over .333 each of his last three years at Plainville High School. Named All- State and team captain as a senior. As a pitcher, sported a 14-2 record with a below 2.00 ERA his junior and senior years. Also played basketball. Named the 1993 Male Scholar Athlete at Plainville. Played for coach Bob Freimuth. PERSONAL: Born 10-4-75. Enrolled in the Barney School of Business and Public Administration, majoring in the economics and finance. Named to the Conference Honor Roll the past three springs. Son of Lawrence and Diane Biskupiak.
Brian Edge-13The team's starting catcher for the past two season's who will be counted on heavily to provide leadership and drive in runs. Has worked hard to make himself a good college player. He possesses a strong and accurate throwing arm. COLLEGE: Started in 32 games as a junior and saw time in 43 contests. Hit a career .284 while driving in 27 RBI's. He sported a fielding percentage of .995 behind the plate. As a sophomore, he started every game at catcher hitting .234. Served as a late game defensive replacement and pinch hitter his freshman season. HIGH SCHOOL: Led the team with a .403 batting average as a senior captain. Directed the Blue Devils to the Class L State Championship and the state's top ranking in 1992, along with teammate Brian Biskupiak. Played for coach Bob Freimuth. PERSONAL: Born 11-8-74. Enrolled in the Barney School of Business and Public Administration, majoring in marketing. Son of Bruce and Barbara Edge. Named to the Conference Honor Roll the past three springs.
Senior right-hander Mike Brennan (4-1, 4.98 ERA) and senior left-hander Chris Schroeder (4-3 6.00 ERA) will return as the top two starters in the rotation. Sophomore Brian Pinney (2-4 8.78 ERA), junior left-hander Jeff Joyce, a transfer from UConn-Avery Point, and freshman Justin Martin will vie for the remaining spots in the rotation. The Hawks' starting rotation will have a good blend of experience and youth, anchored by the upperclassmen.
Senior left-hander Erik Nord (0-5, 9.30 ERA) will be used in a variety of roles. He could see action as the fourth man in the weekend rotation and is expected to chalk up a bunch of innings in the middle relief. Brandon Handfield, Robert Field, and Ricardo Golubov are a talented group of freshman who are expected to see assignments and proved help in middle relief duties. With the graduation of Dave Tober, last season's relief ace, Bretz said that the closer role is up for grabs. He expects either Martin or Handfield to step forward to nail down the saves.
All-Conference first baseman John Riccio (.299, 11 HR, 35 RBI's) returns as a fourth-year starter. Look for freshman Carlos Olivo to start at second, senior Mike Sweeney, a slick fielder, to captain the infield at shortstop, and junior All-Conference sensation Earl Snyder (.391 15 home runs, 58 RBI's) to return at third base. Sophomore John Russo will spell Olivo and Snyder, providing excellent range, while Jamie Delio will back up Sweeney until he returns from the disabled list. Senior Brian Edge (.284, 3 HR, 27 RBI's) will return for his third season as the Hawks' starting catcher. Senior Marc Beaudoin (.140 2 HR) and freshman Ryan Ellis will give Edge an opportunity to rest.
Senior Brian Biskupiak (.296, 24 RBI's) will patrol left field, sophomore Mike Asairo (.306, 10 stolen bases) will be in centerfield, and captain Dave Deshely (.241, 14 RBI's), who was injured in 1996, will round out the outfield, starting in right. Between Biskupiak, Asaro, and Deshefy, the outfield has greatspeed. Junior Mark Rand (.268), freshman John Rodriguez, and freshman Dan Winnick are the outfield reserves.
Bretz will use a variety of players in this role based on the team needs for a given game. Freshman Erik Frei will likely open as the starting DH, but Rand, Delio, and Russo are also expected to see playing time.