Everywhere you turn it seems like there is a first-year coach at the helm of a team this spring and the Carlton baseball team is no exception. Scott Battaglia takes over the leadership position of the Bulldogs.
"I expect we will be very competitive this year in the Polar League," explained Battaglia. "We hope to be playing our best baseball late in May when the playoffs start."
The Bulldogs will have to rely on the strong left-arm of pitcher Peter Allen, who is an iron man of sorts on the mound, and catcher Mike Saunders.
"Six or seven players return who saw significant playing time last year," mentioned Battaglia. "Although we'll be pretty young, we will have some experience and the kids have been working hard these first couple of weeks of practice."
Overall the Bulldogs were 7-12 last season and 2-8 in the Polar League.
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"I expect us to work hard and hustle," stated Battaglia. "I'm expecting to have solid starting pitchers that work quickly and throw a lot of strikes and we'll play solid defense behind them. Offensively we'll be aggressive at the plate and look to run on the base paths when there are opportunities."
Pine Journal sports reporter Kerry Rodd can be contacted at: kdrodd@aol.com .
