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Clarkson University Athletics

2023 CU Baseball Preview

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Senior Kent Wilson hit .349 a year ago to lead the Golden Knights in batting average

Men's Baseball | 1/30/2023 8:00:00 AM

After graduating a senior class that numbered in double digits, most teams would be looking at a rebuild, but the Clarkson University Baseball team has plenty of all-stars returning to keep its name in the conversation for Liberty League title contenders once again in 2023.

Guided by long-time head coach Jim Kane and first-year assistants Charlie Wright and Luke Piontek, the Golden Knights will be seeking their fourth straight Liberty League Tournament appearance and the team's first conference title since 2011. Clarkson was one of the final three teams standing a year ago, falling just short of the championship round following a walk-off defeat against University of Rochester.

Clarkson's bats should match up with most teams in the Liberty League, as the core of the lineup returns. Four of the top five hitters in the postseason lineup are back for the Knights, starting with graduate student Caleb Doyle. One of the steadiest shortstops in the conference, Doyle committed just three errors in 143 chances and helped with 12 double plays, but his biggest contributions may have come at the plate in 2022. Doyle became one of the toughest outs in the conference, posting a .530 on-base percentage that included 38 hits, 30 walks, and 15 hit by pitches and failing to reach base in only one of the team's 31 games. Slick-fielding first baseman Kent Wilson also regularly saw his name near the top of the lineup, leading the team in batting average for a second straight year, hitting .349 with 15 extra-base hits. Designated hitter Colby Brouillette, who will likely get regular reps in the outfield now that he has recovered from arm issues, batted a robust .326/.374/.567 a year ago, ranking among the conference leaders in home runs (7) and runs batted in (41) while receiving regional all-star status for the second straight season. Fellow senior Joe Pagano received more playing time down the stretch with a potent bat, turning in a .375/.444/.528 slash line in 81 plate appearances. He is slated for centerfield duties in 2023, while Brouillette will see time in left.

Those four spots near the top of the lineup should fill themselves in on a regular basis, while other spots around the field may see a few changes from game to game. Senior Sean Eddington produced solid offensive numbers a year ago and could see many at bats in the designated hitter role, while classmate Jake Millich will fill in the final spot in the outfield, manning right. Sophomore Cam Jerrett played in 12 games a year ago and should see his time increase at second base. At the hot corner, freshman CJ Cartier is penciled in as the team's starter, and behind the plate Robert Whalen will be part of a rotating group of catchers that will also include Joe Figliolino and Robert Fratangelo. Freshman James Mason will likely serve a large utility role which will see him play in the infield and outfield on a regular basis.

On the hill, the Golden Knights will be without starting pitcher Kyle Locklear, a Liberty League Second-Team All-Star a year ago, as he completed his undergraduate degree and is now playing with Division I William & Mary as a graduate student. However, the Golden Knights have plenty of arms with experience that are ready to fill his spot as anchor of the rotation. Junior Nicholas Hofacker led the team in innings a year ago and posted a 5-4 record in 10 appearances, which included a pair of complete-game efforts. Classmate Derrick Lewis tied for second on the team in appearances and struck out 19 in 17.2 innings, while sophomore Mateo Sarabia also notched 11 appearances and fanned 15 in 18.2 innings of work. That trio will likely be the group that starts during conference weekends, but other arms have shown promise as well. Joseph Godomsky has struck out 19 hitters in 20.2 innings over his career and should see an increase in innings, while Brett Porter, Hunter Geisler, and Cole Riskin could also eat some innings in relief and as mid-week starters.
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Players Mentioned

Colby Brouillette

#14 Colby Brouillette

C/UT
6' 0"
Junior
L/R
Caleb Doyle

#9 Caleb Doyle

UT
5' 9"
Senior
R/R
Sean Eddington

#24 Sean Eddington

IF/OF
6' 5"
Junior
R/R
Joseph Godomsky

#36 Joseph Godomsky

P
6' 5"
Sophomore
R/R
Nicholas Hofacker

#35 Nicholas Hofacker

P
5' 11"
Sophomore
R/R
Derrick Lewis

#25 Derrick Lewis

C
5' 11"
Sophomore
L/R
Kyle Locklear

#3 Kyle Locklear

OF/RHP
5' 10"
Senior
R/R
Jake Millich

#7 Jake Millich

IF
6' 0"
Junior
R/R
Joe Pagano

#18 Joe Pagano

IF
5' 9"
Junior
R/R
Robert Whalen

#29 Robert Whalen

C
6' 4"
Sophomore
R/R

Players Mentioned

Colby Brouillette

#14 Colby Brouillette

6' 0"
Junior
L/R
C/UT
Caleb Doyle

#9 Caleb Doyle

5' 9"
Senior
R/R
UT
Sean Eddington

#24 Sean Eddington

6' 5"
Junior
R/R
IF/OF
Joseph Godomsky

#36 Joseph Godomsky

6' 5"
Sophomore
R/R
P
Nicholas Hofacker

#35 Nicholas Hofacker

5' 11"
Sophomore
R/R
P
Derrick Lewis

#25 Derrick Lewis

5' 11"
Sophomore
L/R
C
Kyle Locklear

#3 Kyle Locklear

5' 10"
Senior
R/R
OF/RHP
Jake Millich

#7 Jake Millich

6' 0"
Junior
R/R
IF
Joe Pagano

#18 Joe Pagano

5' 9"
Junior
R/R
IF
Robert Whalen

#29 Robert Whalen

6' 4"
Sophomore
R/R
C