BOSTON – The Suffolk baseball team opens the 71st season on Friday, March 9 versus Albion when it travels to Auburndale, Florida for the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. As the first pitch of the 2018 campaign draws closer, GoSuffolkRams.com will take an in-depth look at each of the team's position groups. The second edition gives a glimpse at Anthony Del Prete's stable.
Suffolk returns a core group of arms from 2017, with 53.6 percent (15-28) of last year's wins and 53.2 percent (198.1-372.1) of innings back in Boston.
Leading the 11-man staff is senior standout Ryan Pordes (7-1, 3.20 ERA (2017)). His highlight performance last season came in a classic pitcher's duel at NCAA New England Regionals 11-inning 1-0 victory over #25 Aracdia. The righty from Hawthorne, California, held the Knights scoreless through 9.0 innings, allowing just four hits, two walks and struck out three hitters in the thrilling triumph. Pordes led the squad in innings pitched (76.0) and Ks (54) a year ago and put together a 3.20 ERA.
Classmate Mark Fusco is also back after making three starts and 11 appearances in 2017. Throughout his career, the senior captain, a RHP from Medford, Massachusetts, has worked 75.0 innings with 48 strikeouts to his credit and a 2.64 ERA.
The staff should also be bolstered by its left-handed option Kevin Sinatra (10-2, 4.05 ERA(career)).
Charles Batchelder (21.0 IP, 9 Ks) and Tyler Zell (26.0 IP, 18 Ks) could see increased innings from 2017.
Fresh arms of rookies Johnny Maffei, Parker Browne and Rich Giandrea will add depth on the bump as well.