Lancaster Bible College Athletics

Baseball is a game that is supposed to be played outdoors, not on the second floor of a gym. Good luck telling that to the Lancaster Bible College baseball team. Due to the large snowfalls in February, the Chargers have been stuck inside Horst Athletic Center.

Since the start of practice, February 1, the Chargers have been outside just once - to shovel off the infield. Instead of catching fly balls and taking ground balls on the dirt, LBC has been using the batting cage and working on smaller things in the gym. The coaching staff has also kept the team loose by having whiffle ball tournaments and trying to have an off day here and there.

"The guys were complaining about being inside on the third day of practice," Chargers' Head Coach Doug Yager said. "We have been getting things done inside, but are ready to be outdoors."

Senior Lou Curcio said the team has bonded much quicker than in recent years because of being indoors.

"It forces you to be physically closer, because there is not much room, so as a team we have also bonded a lot quicker," Curcio said.

Fellow senior Stephen Jacques said the team is staying positive.

"It is obviously frustrating to be inside all of the time, but we are staying positive and I think at this point this is one of the better teams we have had here since I have been here," Jacques said.

PITCHING
Curcio, Jacques and senior Ben Markey will be the top three pitchers for LBC in 2010. Curcio led the staff last season as well, compiling a 5-4 record and 3.87 ERA.

"Curcio is as good, if not better than last year," Yager said. "This is the first time he will be in the same system for two straight years and he is already more confident and rising to the occasion."

Markey, who was 3-5 in 2009, is also pitching better thus far.

"We worked with his mechanics a lot last season and he is looking much better," Yager said.

Markey's leadership is also already on display for a young LBC team.

"Ben had the chance to graduate early and chose to come back and play baseball," Yager said. "He and the other seniors have been to the National Tournament twice and know what it takes to get there and now know what it takes to win there."

Curcio and Jacques agreed with Yager.

"Because we are the leaders, the rest of the team has to have the same mindset as us," Curcio said. "We are only as strong as our weakest link and as long as everyone believes in our team, we are going to be fine."

Jacques added, "We have the ability to do good things, so if the confidence is there, we should be fine."

The Big Three will be joined by Josh Chamberlin who will be the team's fourth starter.

INFIELD
The LBC infield will be a mix of upperclassmen and freshman. Chamberlin, named the team's most improved player at the end of last season, will be the starting second baseman.

"We are excited for him," Yager said. "He is better at this point in the season than he was last year."

Curcio will play first when he is not on the mound, while there will be a committee of others who play first when he is on the hill.

Freshmen will man the left side of the infield for the Chargers. Caleb Erb will start at shortstop, while Frank DiFilippo will be at third.

"Both of those of guys are solid," Yager said. "They simply need to be themselves. They have got the goods, they just need to relax and good things will happen."

Drew Tilley will do the majority of the catching in 2010. He takes over for Tyrel Fuller who led the Chargers with 25 RBI's last season. Caleb Tribbitt and DiFilippo will also make starts behind the plate.

OUTFIELD
Marcus Benner, Jacques and Chad Hollinger will start in the outfield this season. They will be joined by the Butala brothers, Josh and Joel, as well as Tim Landis Jr. When Jacques is on the mound, they will all rotate around depending on the opponent and situation.

"Marcus finished last season very strong," Yager said. "He is another one who is ahead of his 2009 pace already."

OUTLOOK
Despite the strong senior leadership, the Chargers could potentially start four new players.

"We are still going to be relying on freshmen to contribute," Yager said. "That is not ideal, but I think our freshmen can perform at this level right away."

Yager said the team will have more of a small ball philosophy, but will be very aggressive. The Chargers will steal bases and go from first to third and will also let the big bats in the middle swing away.

"We will do a little of everything," Yager said. "Where we are in the line-up will dictate what we do that inning."

EXPECTATIONS
Yager believes that if LBC plays their style of baseball every inning of every game, they will be fine.

"If we do those things, the scoreboard will take care of itself," Yager said.

The Chargers break down their expectations into five pillars: Discipline, Self-Control, Aggressive, Whole-Heartedness and Christmanship.

"In order to be disciplined, fundamentals are key," Yager said. "With self-control, it is all about our emotions. We have to trust our training."

Yager said the team will be aggressive throughout every game. Whether that is going from first to third on a hit to right field or trying to make a diving catch in the outfield.

In being whole-hearted, Yager hopes the Chargers can be invested in every play and give all they have every single game.

Finally, Christmanship is something Yager preaches from day one.

"It is more than sportsmanship," Yager said. "It is worshiping the Lord as we play and playing for him, not ourselves."

After postponing or re-scheduling their first three games the Chargers will finally open their season this Saturday when they play a "home" game at Dickinson. Due to field conditions in Lancaster, the game has been moved to Carlisle, but LBC will still be the home team. The Chargers will have their first official home game on Tuesday when they host Penn State-Berks.

The first pitch of Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for noon.