The Crack of the Bat Is Finally Here

There is only one sport, and it is baseball.

In the long, winter off-season, we pretend to be interested in other sports, but most of us are only statues, disembodied figures who are waiting for that first pitch, that first crack of the bat.

But, just as baseball rules the hearts and minds of fans, the pitcher rules baseball.

It's no coincidence that baseball begins with the rite of spring. And it's also no coincidence that the team with the best pitchers usually wins the World Series.

Don't listen to Met or Oakland fans. The Dodgers won the World Series because of pitching--because of the "Bulldog," Orel Hershiser.

Genius may be 99 percent perspiration and one percent inspiration but, in baseball, genius--or success--hits the corners and strikes out the side. In other words...

"Ninety percent [of winning] is pitching," Harvard baseball Coach Alex Nahigian said.

As the Crimson prepares to battle in the Eastern Intercollegiate Baseball League and plays a pair of doubleheaders each weekend, Nahigian believes that four, solid starters are needed to win.

Harvard has five returning pitchers: righthanders Greg Ubert, Mike Dorrington, Jon Biotti and Zach Hope along with southpaw Bob Baxter.

Dorrington was the Crimson's workhorse and the team's best hurler last year. The junior pitched in 72 innings and has a 3.86 ERA.

Baxter is returning from an injury-plagued sophomore season, in which he appeared in only one game and pitched four innings. In his freshman year, Baxter posted a 5-1 record. And his return gives the staff a solid foundation.

"We're a better team than last year," Ubert said. "With the short season of the [EIBL], when you lose a pitcher, it puts you in a hole."

Two freshmen, leftie Sean Johnston and rightie Todd Forman, should also contribute to Harvard's staff this year.

While Nahigian is building his team around a deep starting rotation, an injury to catcher Aron Allen threatens to break the battery down. Allen has aggravated a shoulder problem in his throwing arm which first surfaced in high school.

The sophomore backstop won't be ready to catch the season opener March 25 against the University of Redlands (Ca.). Allen was named first-team All-EIBL and first-team All-Ivy as the Crimson's third baseman last season.

Sophomore Jay Jakimczyk will take over for Allen behind the plate.

"Jay has been looking good," Ubert said. "I feel comfortable throwing to him."

Harvard has a mix of experience in the infield Coach:  Alex Nahigian Captain:  Dan McConaghy Last Year:  (16-18, 6-8 EIBL) Home Games:  Soldier's Field The Schedule

March Sat, 25  at Univ. of Redlands  12:00 p.m. Mon, 27  Oregon State*  2:30 p.m. Tue, 28  Brigham Young*  2:30 p.m. Wed, 29  Arizona State*  2:30 p.m. Fri, 31  Washington State*  2:30 p.m.

April Sat, 1  U.C.-Riverside*  2:30 p.m. Wed, 5  at Northeastern (2)  1:00 p.m. Thu, 6  BOSTON COLL. (2)  1:00 p.m. Sat, 8  BOSTON UNIVERSITY  1:00 p.m. Tue, 11  at Tufts  2:30 p.m. Wed, 12  HOLY CROSS  3:00 p.m. Sat, 15  BROWN (2)  12:00 p.m. Sun, 16  YALE (2)  12:00 p.m. Wed, 19  at Brandeis  3:00 p.m. Sat, 22  at Navy (2)  12:00 p.m. Sun, 23  at Pennsylvania (2)  12:00 p.m. Wed, 26  M.I.T.  3:00 p.m. Sat, 29  COLUMBIA (2)  12:00 p.m. Sun, 30  ARMY (2)  12:00 p.m.

May Tue, 2  at Rhode Island  2:00 p.m. Wed, 3  PROVIDENCE (2)  1:00 p.m. Sat, 6  at Cornell (2)  12:00 p.m. Sun, 7  at Princeton (2)  12:00 p.m. Wed, 10  at Massachusetts  3:00 p.m. Sat, 13  at Dartmouth (2)  3:00 p.m.   * at U.C.-Riverside Tourney and youth in the outfield.

"The team is younger [than last year's squad],but they are experienced," Captain Dan McConaghysaid. "We have a lot of experience and youth and alot of excellent sophomores."

At the corners, senior Rick Renninger andjunior Tim Hurley play first and third base,respectively. Up the middle, junior Dave O'Connelland senior Casey Cobb make up the Crimson's 6-4double-play combination.

McConaghy anchors the outfield in centerfield.Sophomores Ted Decareau and Marcel Durand completethe outfield, along with senior Pat Sullivan andjunior utility man Tom Konjoyan.

Freshmen infielders Nick DelVecchio at first,Jim Mrowka at second, Pete Rau, who also pitches,and outfielder Dan Scanlan add to the Crimson'sdepth.

Harvard hopes to improve its .261 team battingaverage of last year. The Crimson graduated twostarting seniors, Frank Caprio and Frank Morelli,who had the second and fifth-highest battingaverages on the squad.

But the bats of McConaghy and Allen shouldspark Harvard's offense this year. McConaghy hit.303 last season with three home runs and 19 RBIsto lead the Crimson. Allen batted .287, driving in19 runs as well. Although Allen cannot catch yet,he should be available to play DH.

Renninger provides strong left-handed power.Last year, he hit .278 with two home runs and 11RBIs.

The team was inconsistent last season--when thepitchers were on, the offense went cold; when theoffense got hot, the pitchers didn't have have it,McConaghy said. The Crimson is confident that itcan avoid such letdowns this season.

"The pitching staff is deep," Allen said. "Ourtop five or six pitchers are as good as anybody.The hitting will take care of itself."

"The specific game situation will dictateHarvard's style of play. The Crimson will notalways go for the three-run homer, nor will italways look to scrounge for each run. Nahigian, inhis 11th season as the Crimson's coach, is nottaking any leads from Earl Weaver or WhiteyHerzog.

"A coach's offensive philosophy is dictated byhis performers," Nahigian said. "We have a mixtureof some power with good speed."

To open its season, Harvard exchanges theFlorida coast for the California coast.

What's in a coast? Well, for one thing, some ofthe best teams in the country.

The Crimson will face top-20 teams Arizona,Brigham Young and Washington State in theCalifornia Riverside Baseball Invitational.

Harvard first travelled to California in 1985.The trip not only provides the players with thechance to challenge some excellent teams, but italso provides the experience of living with a hostfamily out West.

"I have kept in touch with many of the players[who made the trip in '85]," Nahigian said. "Otherthan being in the regionals, the California tripwas the highlight of their Harvard baseballexperience."

"Any trip always brings the team together,"McConaghy said. "We need everyone to play well andcome together as a team. It's a great learningexperience."ZACH HOPE (pitching)