2014 Winthrop Baseball
It’s A Big Hit
inthrop head baseball coach Tom Riginos
is expecting a much-improved offensive
attack for the 2014 season which gets un-
derway on February 14 when the Eagles open their
56 game schedule against Akron at The Winthrop
Ballpark.
“This is by far the most athletic team we have
had in the four years I have been here,” said Rigi-
nos. “We have recruited well the last three years
and we believe that is going to pay off this season.
We look for the offense to be more potent and be
able to put more runs on the scoreboard.”
The Eagles return 20 players from a year
ago and have added 14 newcomers, according to
Riginos. “Depth will be a major asset this season,”
he believes. From a pitching perspective, Riginos
believes the depth of the staff and the top part of the
rotation could also prove to be assets.
“With the additions of John Menken, Zac
Goodno, Brad Kazcka, Babe Thomas and Clif Bry-
ant along with the return of a healthy TJ Olesczuk,
who is coming off a medical red-shirt year, and a
much-improved Steven Wallace, our offensive depth
will be much improved.”
Outfield Has Pro Potential
The Winthrop coach believes two of the project-
ed outfield starters (Menken, a junior in left field, and
Olesczuk, a junior in center field) have professional
potential. A third pro prospect, senior Cody Dolan,
will red-shirt this season after undergoing bicep and
labrum surgery just over week prior to the opening
game.
Menken played for Elgin Community College
and is coming off a strong sophomore year as he hit
.400 with seven home runs and 50 runs batted in to
go along with 15 stolen bases. Olesczuk was hitting
.333 with eight RBI after 12 games last season when
an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year.
The Eagles will miss Dolan, who led the Eagles last
year in hitting with a .300 average, in hits with 57 and
runs scored with 30. Another returning player who
will see action in the outfield is sophomore Steven
Wallace.
According to Riginos, “Wallace had a huge fall
and made major strides from last season.” Other out-
field candidates include Rock Hill sophomore Michael
Patrick, freshman Cory Cremonese from Boiling
Springs, SC, and red-shirt sophomore Tyler Asbill, a
Lexington, SC product.
Goodno, a junior right handed-hitting catcher
who transferred from Indian River State College,
along with Menken and Thomas are competing for
the starting catcher duties. Goodno is coming off a
strong year at the plate as he hit .400 with five HRs
and 25 RBI in junior college. Thomas, a freshman
who will also see action in the outfield and the DH
spot, is expected to be a very productive hitter and
impact player. Thomas played at Wando H.S. in
Mt. Pleasant, SC.
Junior Clay Altman, another South Carolina
product from Conway H.S., and Bryant, a left-
sophomore out of Norwood, NC, will contend for
2014 Preview
Eagles Look For Breakthrough Year
Senior Leighton Daniels will anchor infield and provide a solid bat in the lineup
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