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Centaurs
have 'x' on
their backs
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
WOODSTOCK — “Well, we won’t be sneaking up on anyone this year.” That’s the understatement from the coach of the rags-to-riches Woodstock Academy baseball team.
Head coach David Austin said two years ago the team’s record was a “challenging” 4 wins and 76 losses. But last year the Centaurs won the ECC Large Division championship. “It was the first time since the school joined the ECC in 2001,” said Austin.
Last year’s record was 13-10 and one of the championship games was played at Woodstock Academy. “There were tons of fans. Everyone was thrilled,” he said.
This year “we have a big ‘X’ on our back. We’re the team to beat,” Austin said.
“I have full confidence in the kids we have,” he added.
He considers Waterford and Fitch two tough competitors in the league.
Austin, in his second year as head coach, will be assisted by Charlie Kozey and Chris Mayhew. He lost two strong players to graduation, Derek Lukin and Jim Sullivan. Both are now pitching on the college level.
But this year he has five very strong players returning on offense: Paul Lindstrom, pitcher and third base; Jeff Higgins, pitcher, infielder; Ross Lincoln, outfielder; Zak Kozey, catcher, infielder; and Chris Mayhew, pitcher and catcher.
Austin said offense is a strong suit for the team. “We’ll be able to pitch alittle and hit alittle,” he said. But the team lost three important players in the infield. Those players were responsible for keeping the errors all season long under 10 — a very good record.
“How we defend” will be crucial, according to Austin, and they’ve been working on their defensive game.
Considering the fact that the Academy offers many spring sports, Austin was thrilled to see a large number of kids try out for baseball again this year. While the numbers might have been low a few years ago, last year 55 to 60 kids tried out and this year 60 kids came out for baseball. “We’re doing good that we have that many kids to look at,” he said.
Joining the core of five returning players will be Cody DeGray, sophomore, infield; Kevin Bonitz, junior, infield; Zach Wilcox, junior, outfield; Wyatt Gibeault, junior, outfield; and John Naughton, junior, pitcher and outfield.