The Quad

Issue date: 4/23/07 Section: Sports

Entering the 2007 baseball season, Mark Gilliford and Frank Gailey both sat perched on West Chester on the verge of West Chester University history. Since then, they have led their team to a decisive 25-10 start including ten wins in conference play.

"Both Frank and Mark have had great careers," Head Coach Greg Mamula said after a 4-0 sweep of Millersville University. "[They] have helped establish WCU as one of the premier Division II programs in the country."

On the pitching front, left-hander Frank Gailey broke two school record in seven days. On April 13, Gailey set the career strikeout record with a six-strikeout performance in a loss to Kutztown University. One week later, Gailey won his 23 career game amassing Chuck Fritz on the all-time list.

"[Gailey] brings a ultra-competitive personality to the field with him that rubs off on our team," said Mamula of his southpaw ace.

On offense, first basemen Mark Gilliford holds the single season and career home run record. Gilliford is on pace to potentially break the West Chester career RBI mark.

"Mark has established himself as one of the best power hitters in West Chester history," Mamula added. "He brings a calm and confident presence to our club."

On both sides of the ball, the Golden Rams are thriving behind their six senior players. Both Gailey and Gilliford have led their teams as respective captains.

"I played with some great players who were also great leaders and the biggest thing I took from them is how to prepare to win," Gilliford said.

Now Gilliford is transposing his leadership on to the hefty freshman class including outfielders Connor Thorp and Kevin McGrath.

"We asked for a lot out of Kevin with him being an everyday starter since the beginning of the season and he has come up big for us just as we expected him to," Gilliford said of his teammate.

"Connor has really come on as of late, with him starting to play everyday he has really shown what we've known all along, that we had a very good player that we had to find some at-bats for," he said.

As the season progressed, the baseball team struggled in the meat of their schedule, but Gilliford expressed the team grew together.

"It's great being a captain on a team like this because everyone is truly good guys," Gilliford concluded, "It's great being a captain on a team like this because everyone are truly good guys."

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