2008 Woodie Awards
Golden Rams baseball season begins
Francis Stern
Issue date: 3/5/07 Section: Sports
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After a College World Series appearance last year, the Golden Rams had three pressing needs: catcher, shortstop and coach. They found coach Greg Mamula and he found the rest.
First year head coach Greg Mamula is grateful for the opportunity.
"It's rare in this business of coaching to take over a program when they're a winner. I'm excited to be here."
After last season's 39-20 record and a College World Series appearance, the Golden Rams looked primed for another run this year with eight all-league performers and four starting pitchers returning.
With three starting pitchers returning who won nine games last season, West Chester looks primed to be a favorite out of the PSAC East.
"We're experienced, we're talented, we're proven on the mound. Those are all things you want to be saying," Mamula added. "I think we're going to have one of the top staffs."
Last season, Frank Gailey, Dave Slusser and Chris Prowl each won nine games and look to continue career success.
Offensively the team looks as potent as ever. Last year the team hit .311 and had no problem generating runs. Although they lost shortstop Jeff Yeager and catcher Brett Wallace in the offseason. West Chester replaced both players with excellent Division I talent.
Nick Spisak will replace Yeager at short, teaming with Kyle Bechter up the middle. Spisak transferred from the University of Indiana. Bechter hit a solid .331 last year and played error free defense.
Behind the plate is West Chester's biggest concern. Brett Wallace caught 54 of 59 games last year. Three receivers are competing for playing time.
"[Catching] is a position that requires a lot of experience," Mamula said. "Our guys are inexperienced. Fortunate thing is we have some talent."
Returning to play first base will be Mark Gilliford who is just three home runs shy of the school record and hopes to match last years production. During last years run, Gilliford's 12 shattered the single season mark.
First year head coach Greg Mamula is grateful for the opportunity.
"It's rare in this business of coaching to take over a program when they're a winner. I'm excited to be here."
After last season's 39-20 record and a College World Series appearance, the Golden Rams looked primed for another run this year with eight all-league performers and four starting pitchers returning.
With three starting pitchers returning who won nine games last season, West Chester looks primed to be a favorite out of the PSAC East.
"We're experienced, we're talented, we're proven on the mound. Those are all things you want to be saying," Mamula added. "I think we're going to have one of the top staffs."
Last season, Frank Gailey, Dave Slusser and Chris Prowl each won nine games and look to continue career success.
Offensively the team looks as potent as ever. Last year the team hit .311 and had no problem generating runs. Although they lost shortstop Jeff Yeager and catcher Brett Wallace in the offseason. West Chester replaced both players with excellent Division I talent.
Nick Spisak will replace Yeager at short, teaming with Kyle Bechter up the middle. Spisak transferred from the University of Indiana. Bechter hit a solid .331 last year and played error free defense.
Behind the plate is West Chester's biggest concern. Brett Wallace caught 54 of 59 games last year. Three receivers are competing for playing time.
"[Catching] is a position that requires a lot of experience," Mamula said. "Our guys are inexperienced. Fortunate thing is we have some talent."
Returning to play first base will be Mark Gilliford who is just three home runs shy of the school record and hopes to match last years production. During last years run, Gilliford's 12 shattered the single season mark.
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