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St Joseph (Maine) junior shortstop Luke Enman has three home runs in 2007.
St Joseph Athletics
The St. Joseph's baseball team is off to a perfect start in 2007. Coach Will Sanborn is used to his team getting off to strong starts, but this year's team is just one win away from matching the best start in school history. Just six years ago Sanborn saw his 2001 team jump out to an 11-0 start and that team wound up leading the all NCAA divisions in team winning percentage as they finished the regular season with a 36-4 record.
"There are a lot of similarities between the 2001 team and our current squad. Both teams feature dominant offensive performers," said Sanborn. Sanborn notes a contrast in the styles of the two teams: "One difference is that the 2001 squad was known for sheer power, this team is a little more tailored for on-base percentage, running, and the ability to play the short game. However, I think both teams put together a great run at the start of the season because of strong defense and pitching."
The 2007 Monks have some punch in the lineup, featuring seven players with batting averages of .400 or higher, and three more player over .500. Junior catcher Andrew Wood has led the way with a .500 average, 3 doubles and a team high 13 RBI. Classmate Luke Enman has provided the power for SJC with a club leading 3 home runs on the young season to go with a .452 average and 11 RBI of his own. For all his teams, Sanborn stresses solid fundamental play. "We have focused on the running game this year and all our players one through nine, and the assistant coaches, can bunt."
First-year pitching coach J.P. Pyne was a senior captain during the 2001 season. "This year's staff is very deep and balanced. In '01 we only used nine pitchers, which is pretty amazing on its own. Especially when you consider that we have already used 14 different pitchers through 10 games this year." Last year's pitching staff featured 2006 All-American Charlie Furbush, who transferred over the summer to play at LSU and Jack Hughes who graduated last spring. "You don't just replace these guys," said Sanborn.
Stepping into some big shoes are freshmen Kyle Dorr and Andrew Keirstead who are both 2-0 with ERAs under two. Both Pyne and Sanborn praise the leadership qualties of Sam Tupper. "Sam Tupper does a great job leading this group. It's early, so it's tough for me to make comparisons, but I love the way we compete," said Pyne.
The bottom line is that both (this year's and the 2001) teams had the confidence needed to start the season off strong. Both also featured great balance, and the ability to find a way to win on any given day," summed up Sanborn. "2001 was a special team, everything went right, and we just kept winning. Obviously, I'd love to see that happen with this group." One quarter of the way through the season, the 2007 team appears to have the personnel to have an equally memorable campaign. Pyne concluded, "This group will make its own mark. St. Joe's baseball is full of tradition. 2001 is ancient history, it was a lot of fun, but it's the past."
Sanborn said that his unranked Monks "are the best-kept secret in Division III baseball." The secret is out and the future is looking bright for the current edition of the Royal Blue. The Monks resume their schedule on Friday when they travel to Mass-Dartmouth for a non-conference game.
"There are a lot of similarities between the 2001 team and our current squad. Both teams feature dominant offensive performers," said Sanborn. Sanborn notes a contrast in the styles of the two teams: "One difference is that the 2001 squad was known for sheer power, this team is a little more tailored for on-base percentage, running, and the ability to play the short game. However, I think both teams put together a great run at the start of the season because of strong defense and pitching."
The 2007 Monks have some punch in the lineup, featuring seven players with batting averages of .400 or higher, and three more player over .500. Junior catcher Andrew Wood has led the way with a .500 average, 3 doubles and a team high 13 RBI. Classmate Luke Enman has provided the power for SJC with a club leading 3 home runs on the young season to go with a .452 average and 11 RBI of his own. For all his teams, Sanborn stresses solid fundamental play. "We have focused on the running game this year and all our players one through nine, and the assistant coaches, can bunt."
First-year pitching coach J.P. Pyne was a senior captain during the 2001 season. "This year's staff is very deep and balanced. In '01 we only used nine pitchers, which is pretty amazing on its own. Especially when you consider that we have already used 14 different pitchers through 10 games this year." Last year's pitching staff featured 2006 All-American Charlie Furbush, who transferred over the summer to play at LSU and Jack Hughes who graduated last spring. "You don't just replace these guys," said Sanborn.
Stepping into some big shoes are freshmen Kyle Dorr and Andrew Keirstead who are both 2-0 with ERAs under two. Both Pyne and Sanborn praise the leadership qualties of Sam Tupper. "Sam Tupper does a great job leading this group. It's early, so it's tough for me to make comparisons, but I love the way we compete," said Pyne.
The bottom line is that both (this year's and the 2001) teams had the confidence needed to start the season off strong. Both also featured great balance, and the ability to find a way to win on any given day," summed up Sanborn. "2001 was a special team, everything went right, and we just kept winning. Obviously, I'd love to see that happen with this group." One quarter of the way through the season, the 2007 team appears to have the personnel to have an equally memorable campaign. Pyne concluded, "This group will make its own mark. St. Joe's baseball is full of tradition. 2001 is ancient history, it was a lot of fun, but it's the past."
Sanborn said that his unranked Monks "are the best-kept secret in Division III baseball." The secret is out and the future is looking bright for the current edition of the Royal Blue. The Monks resume their schedule on Friday when they travel to Mass-Dartmouth for a non-conference game.
Permalink | Mar 28, 2007