POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (March 1, 2018) – The little steps that go into making a program a consistent power aren't always seen. Whether that means increasing win totals by a game or two per year, or adding to the depth of the roster or pitching staff, or even using losses as motivation for the next step. All of those have happened this year going into the 2018 season for the Brewers, as the team heads into this year looking to continue the path forged by previous teams.

The Brewers got back to the Liberty League Tournament for the first time in four years last season, but fell short in both games which gave VC yet another goal to add to the list. "I think getting to the Tournament was a goal, but not winning a game, maybe left a bitter taste in our mouth," said senior captain Bobby Kinne. "We want to get there again this season, but want to make an impact once we're there."
 
Vassar did finish with an even 19-19 record last season, while tying the school record for wins in a campaign. Even still, the team's goal of reaching 20 victories for the first time in program history fell just short, and that will again be on the list of accomplishments VC is looking to cross off this year.
 
Coming into this year, the expectations for the program has risen, both inside and outside the Brewer locker room. Vassar was picked to finish fourth in the Liberty League Preseason Poll, which tied for the highest spot ever in the Coaches' Poll. With nine returning offensive players in the lineup back, along with an overall five All-Liberty League performers, it's understandable to see the optimism.
 
Vassar will open its season this weekend, VC's earliest start to a season since the 2009 season, and it will give the Brewers a good opening test against a solid SUNYAC team in SUNY Plattsburgh. "We've been competing indoors and some on the turf but it'll be good to get out there and play someone else," said senior pitcher John Madsen.
 
After Saturday, the season really gets going with a spring trip out west, as Vassar plays seven games against some strong California competition. That will give the Brewers a strong indication of where they are going into Liberty League play March 24-25 at the University of Rochester.
 
"We think we're to the point with our program that we can compete with anyone," said Kinne. "If we get jobs done, execute and play our game, I think we can get back to the Tournament and do some damage once we're there."
 
INFIELD
The Brewers strength this year will be the its offensive attack, which returns all four starters to the mix, including Liberty League Rookie of the year and All-Liberty League first baseman Evan Trausch along with All-Liberty League honoree Bobby Kinne,
 
Trausch finished with a team-leading .362 batting average last season, leading the team with 38 hits and 10 doubles. The now-sophomore also slugged .486 as a freshman, while earning 28 starts. The big right-handed hitter should anchor the lineup again this year, as he looks to improve on his 19 RBI from a season ago.
 
Senior captain Bobby Kinne wasn't able to play the field until mid-year last year, but returned to take over the second base position while hitting .286 with 11 extra-base hits including a pair of big flies and a team-best three triples. Kinne was also successful on nine of his 11 stolen-base attempts, and made just three errors at second base.
 
Another started back is sophomore Daniel Bonfiglio, who had a strong season as a newcomer in 2017. The left-handed bat hit .276 while earning 27 starts in his first campaign with the Brewers, putting together seven games with multiple hits. Bonfiglio has been taking reps at shortstop all fall and spring, and has looked strong at the position.
 
Last year's starting shortstop, senior Matt Hernandez, has slid over to third base this spring and has looked strong. The steady, consistent performer hit .270 in 34 starts as a junior, driving in 16 runs while scoring 21 times and chalking up eight multi-hit performances. Hernandez was also 11-of-14 on stolen base attempts.
 
Returning this year in the infield as well is junior Alex Hartnett, who saw action in 22 games as a sophomore, hitting .244. Hartnett did post one of the best moments of the 2017 season, connecting on a three-run homer against NYU, his first career home run. Hartnett is a hard worker, and will look for chances again this year in the infield.
 
Fellow junior Jesse Mulham has been mostly a pitcher for the Brewers in his time at VC, but has been taking more reps at first base this spring along with this pitching duties. Mulham served as a pinch runner for VC last year, and also got three plate appearances as a sophomore.
 
Vassar brought in four infielders this season to help with depth and also compete for playing time in their first season. Corner infielder Elliott Layne had a great fall, and has the pop to play both first and third base for the Brewers. Freshmen Gunnar Widercrantz and Matt McGannon are both middle infielders, and both have solid upside, while newcomer Cameron Skudin is versatile to play anywhere on the diamond for VC.
 
OUTFIELD
The Brewers have a wealth of talent in the outfield, and added to that with some impact newcomers as well. Junior Taylor Smach returns to lead the group of outfielders, as he earned All-Liberty League honors last season after hitting .337 with 32 hits, eight doubles and 19 RBI. Smach led the team in on-base percentage, walking 16 times while being hit 11 times. Smach drives the ball to all fields well, and also plays a very good right field with a strong throwing arm.
 
Junior Bryan Rubin has been taking fly balls in the outfield as well for Vassar, but can play first base as well for VC. Rubin had a great summer and fall, and VC is expecting big things from the former Emory University transfer after he hit .246 last year in 57 at-bats.
 
Senior Eric Strickland could be the team's best pure athlete, and VC will look to use his talents in the outfield again this year. Strickland was injured early in last year's season, and only appeared in 20 games while earning 17 at-bats, still stealing nine bags in 10 chances. So far this spring, the senior from Round Rock, TX has showcased the sweet left-handed stroke that saw him star as a freshman and sophomore.
 
Now junior Matthew Schwartz has been hot and cold for the Brewers in his career, but his hot stretches have been exciting to watch. With maybe the purest power of any hitter on the team, Schwartz hit .288 with three doubles and a homer last year, and will look to continue getting starts in the OF and at the designated hitter spot.
 
Sophomore Connor Levchuck was used as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement last year, but things the game well and is a very good base runner. Levchuck also gets great reads in the outfield, and also has a strong inside-out swing, driving the ball well to the opposite field.
 
Newcomers Narendra Martin, Tanner Blough and Jason Salerno will each look to get playing time early for the Brewers. Martin is a sophomore, joining the team to add team speed and another option defensively for VC. Blough had a great fall season, and has shown the ability to get on-base and wreak havoc on the base paths. Salerno has a complete game, and will push immediately for time as well.
 
CATCHERS
Vassar brings back three catchers from last year's team, while also adding to the stable of backstops with freshman Brent Shimoda this season. Vassar's depth behind the plate gives Vassar the opportunity to use one of them in the designated hitter position or on the mound, something that happened a fair amount in 2017.

Junior Jake Doyle earned the majority of the starts behind the dish last year as a sophomore, hitting .235 but handling the pitching staff really well. The now-junior also showed off a lightning-release, catching nine base runners stealing to lead the team.
 
Senior Chris Lee is now in his second season wearing the tools of ignorance for Vassar, transitioning from an infielder during his junior year. Lee has shown the ability to hit, posting a .314 batting average as a junior in 35 at-bats, and also started to adjust to the catching position as he threw out four runners as well.
 
Now sophomore Robert Pinataro batted .231 last season a freshman, while bouncing back and forth from catching and pitching. He will still get reps on the bump, but the sophomore has hit the ball very well in the spring and should get opportunities early to show what he can do with the stick. Shimoda, from Hawaii, is another strong backstop that receives well and has a good throwing arm.
 
PITCHERS
The biggest loss off the 2017 season was the graduation of four-year starters Trent Berg and Adam Erkis, each of whom litter the Vassar record books. Despite their departures, Vassar still has some strong options to start and relieve this season. VC has 12 players that threw at least two innings last year back on the roster, adding four freshmen while some others have been working off the mound as well.
 
Last year's most consistent starting pitcher, now junior Joe Conti, is back after posting a 3.34 ERA over five starts, earning 27 strikeouts in 32.1 innings of work. After Berg and Erkis, no one had more starts than now-sophomore Jake Silver. The Florida native was 2-2 last season in 35.2 innings of work, and has improved his arsenal coming into this season.
 
One of the best bullpen arms that Vassar's team last year, lefty Max Spencer, has been nearly unhittable in the fall and spring and will look to be a dominate starter for the Brewers in 2018. The southpaw's ball runs all over the place, and it helped him fan 20 batters in 22 innings last year, getting 14 appearances and going 2-2 overall.
 
After dominating at the plate last year, Evan Trausch has been electric on the mound and will look to snatch a starting gig this year as a pitcher. There will be freshmen that also battle it out for a starting assignment on the mount, as newcomers Matt McGannon and Patrick Fitzgerald each have thrown the ball well in the fall and spring. Both have good tilt on their fastball, project well, and use their size to their advantage on the mound.
 
In the bullpen, Vassar returns a bevy of arms including last year's All-Liberty League Honorable Mention performer John Madsen. The righty posted a sterling 1.46 ERA in 17 appearances, allowing opposition to hit just .227 off of him.
 
Joining him will be another two-way guy in Bryan Rubin, who finished with a 2.66 ERA last year in 20.1 innings of work, striking out nearly a batter per inning with 19. Rubin also allowed just a .224 batting average against, while chalking up a 3-1 record. Sophomore Billy Mathiesen appeared in 12 games last year, and has been strong for Vassar this year after dropping down to a more sidearm delivery.
 
VC also welcomes back another group of relievers, including two-way players Mulham, Pinataro, along with senior Derek DeMild and sophomore Mitchell Mullock. Mulham saw action in nine games last year as a sophomore, while Pinataro allowed only one hit in 7.2 innings of work.
 
DeMild has continued to work on his delivery, and when he's consistently throwing strikes, the big righty has shown to be a handful for opposing batters as hitters posted just a .212 average against him last season. Mullock has been working back from arm injuries, but he will look to add to his three appearances from last season.
 
Freshmen Hawkins Hodges and Logan Willans also will give the Brewers depth in the back end of the bullpen this year. Willans is polished and has good command on his pitches, while Hodges has looked like a valuable arm as well in the pen for Vassar.
 
Two arms that will also look to get time are infielders by trade, but have impressed on the mound with high spin rates and good off-speed pitches are Hernandez and Hartnett. Hernandez has pitching experience, and threw 5.2 innings as a freshman for the Brewers.
 
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Vassar gets its season underway on Saturday, March 3 at Dutchess Stadium against Plattsburgh at 2:30 p.m. for a non-conference doubleheader.