The Saint Vincent Baseball team will be introducing many new faces this season to try to fill the gaps left by the graduating class.  Last season, the Bearcats notched their second straight trip to PAC postseason action; however, the team found itself eliminated earlier than expected.  Looking to bounce back from a 19-20 overall record and improve the 14-10 conference mark, the Bearcats aim to get to their third straight PAC tournament appearance and make a surge to toward a championship.
 
First-team All-PAC selection Brad Burkardt graduated after posting a record-breaking season for the Bearcats in 2013.  A four-time All-PAC selection and the new all-times hits leader at Saint Vincent (208), Burkardt provided consistent offense and solid defense in every game last season.  With a .312 batting average, 22 RBIs, 26 runs, 11 doubles, two triples, and two homeruns, Burkardt has left a large gap to fill at the every day shortstop position.
 
 Also lost to graduation were second-team All-PAC selections Nick Beamenderfer, Andrew Kozusko, Gary Gerhardt, and Jared Haller.  Beamenderfer batted .327 and drove in 17 runs for the Bearcats, while Kozusko boasted a perfect fielding percentage in addition to leading the team in on-base percentage (.455) and slugging percentage (.491).  The combination of Gerhardt and Haller tallied 146.1 innings pitched in 2013, accounting for nearly 50% of all innings pitched by the entire staff.  Grant Krally and Nolan Russell also were lost to graduation after combining for 54 hits and 29 RBIs.
 
Although the two workhorse pitchers have graduated, the Bearcat pitching staff is returning many key players and has added a few new arms to make up for the losses.  Senior pitcher and first baseman Joey Fearer returns to the staff after having a solid year on the hill.  Fearer started seven games on the mound working his way to a 2-3 overall record and a 4.44 ERA.  After striking out 28 batters a year ago, Fearer has worked hard to improve his game and lead the staff. 
 
"I am very excited about the staff we have this season," said Fearer.  "We have worked hard as a group to become a better staff this year than we were last year and I am confident in all of our pitchers' ability to execute."
 
Also returning to the staff after seeing substantial time last season are juniors Steve Janik and John Malone and sophomore Chris Storm.  Janik appeared in eight games for the Bearcats a season ago walking an average of just one batter per outing.  Malone and Storm each made 11 appearances out of the bullpen last season and are now ready to take on much larger roles.
 
"Everyone always used to joke that John and I were always warming up at the same time," said Storm.  "What they don't realize is we were both pushing each other to become better because we both wanted to be the guy that got the nod.  That competition drove us to be better pitchers."
 
In addition to the seasoned veterans, expect to see increased outings from junior Michael Patsch and sophomore Mike Panchik.  Transfers Kevin Silvio, Dustin Welsh, and Collin Laguzza will also be competing for spots in the rotation.  Adding more depth to the pitching staff, a strong freshman class is keeping things very competitive.  Freshmen Mike Cramer, Greg Martin, and Tyler Frankel are also all making a push into the bullpen and rotation.
 
Even though the Bearcats lost five everyday hitters from the lineup from just a season ago, they also have returning talent and a much deeper bench.
 
The Bearcat offense returns its top three hitters.  Junior outfielder Vince Murphy returns after leading the squad in batting average at a .351 mark.  Murphy, who also supplies speed on the base paths, converted on 9 of 11 steal attempts last season. 
 
The team's second leading hitter from a year ago, senior Jordan Britcher, returns after batting .344 and boasting a .423 on-base percentage.  Fearer finished third on the team in batting average after hitting .330 with one home run.
 
Returning starters also include senior middle infielder AJ Kavinsky and senior outfielder Tanner Master.  Kavinsky has played a solid second base for the Bearcats over the past three seasons while also producing on the offensive end.  Kavinsky batted .307 last season while leading the team in RBIs with 25, despite batting in the leadoff spot. 
 
When asked about the upcoming season, Kavinsky was extremely optimistic.  "We have a very hard working group of guys.  Everyone on the team seems to be all in and that's exactly what we need.  Total group effort."
 
A season ago, Master, who played in his first year with the Bearcats after spending time on the Polar Bearcat ice hockey team, batted .264 and started 35 of 39 games in the outfield.  Like Kavinsky, Master has high hopes for the season as well.
 
"Even though this is only my second year, I feel like I have been a part of this team forever," Master said.  "The group of guys are all so close and the work effort is there, it is just going to come down to execution."
 
Upon the loss of Kozusko behind the dish, the Bearcats will look toward senior leadership to take over.  Senior Geo Muzika has seen limited time as the backstop but is ready to take on a bigger role.
 
"I haven't had as much in-game experience as the other seniors, but that has been one of the main focuses for me this offseason," Muzika said.  "Getting to know all the pitchers and what their go-to pitches are was a huge emphasis and I think everyone is finally starting to feel comfortable."
 
A host of freshmen catchers look to push for time behind the plate as well, as this year's freshman class consists of 6 catchers.
 
The left side of the infield will be up for grabs as well this season.  Returning junior Matt Loftis looks to see some time at shortstop after appearing in 14 games a season ago, while junior Mike Vrbanic looks to fill in at the hot corner where he started two games last year.
 
Others pushing for time on the left side include sophomore transfer Ben Webb.  Webb, who played at St. John Fisher College last season, has the ability to make an impact with the bat right away.  Sophomore Aaron Burger and freshman Chris Winkler have also been competing for a spot in the lineup along with many other freshmen.
 
While the outfield is returning all three starters, no role is guaranteed.  Competing for a job in the outfield will be sophomore transfer Jon White and freshman Luke Fox.  Both players possess speed and consistent bats and could play pivotal roles down the stretch. 
 
The Bearcats open their season March 2nd in Winter Haven, Florida against Clark University.  The entire schedule from Florida, along with many other games this season, will be broadcast on the SVC Sports Network.