EC Poised to Defend CCC Title

March 9, 2007

BEVERLY, MA - The defending Commonwealth Coast Conference Champions look to notch their fifth conference title in the last eight years as they enter the 2007 season. A young, unproven team will once again be challenged with a difficult non-conference schedule, plus the added pressure of defending their 2006 conference crown.

Despite returning only five of the staff's 13 pitchers from a year ago, the 2007 squad isn't afraid to challenge batters and throw strikes. Led by workhouse pitcher/outfielder Erik Fields (Swampscott, MA/Swampscott), the Gulls hope the senior will sustain his '06 form where he posted a 6-3 record, striking out 30 batters in 62 innings of work. Ian Parkinson (Peabody, MA/Peabody) will also add depth to EC's rotation. Parkinson went 4-3 with one save in nine appearances, striking out 44 batters while walking just 17 in 49 innings.

Offensively, the Gulls will turn to a group of veteran leaders in Joe Orlando (Gloucester, MA/Gloucester) and Dan Gomez (East Longmeadow, MA/East Longmeadow) to go along with Erik Fields. Orlando led the team in batting average last season, hitting .344 with 11 doubles, three homers and 24 RBI. Gomez was as solid at the plate as he was behind it, driving in 27 runs on 37 hits for a .272 average that included five doubles and three home runs.

EC returns centerfielder Tom Warner (Contoocook, NH/Hopkinton) who was the Gulls fourth best hitter last spring. Warner hit .293 with 4 doubles, a triple and 15 RBI in 82 at bats. Joe Paciello (Worcester, MA/St. Peter Marian) will once again contribute to the Endicott outfield. In his freshman campaign Paciello hit .234 with eight doubles and one home run while driving in 22 runs.

The Gulls welcome in a talented freshmen recruiting class including speedy centerfielder Aaron Santos (Cambridge, MA/Cushing Academy). The big arm of freshman Tyler Connelly (Grafton, MA/Cushing Academy) will provide the Blue and Green with some power pitching, while shortstop Dennis Kinsey (Lansdale, PA/Methacton) will be solid up the middle for Endicott.

The Gulls open the 2007 campaign on March 18th in Greensboro, North Carolina, where they will face Tufts University on the campus of Guilford College. In all, the Gulls will play six games in six days before returning to New England to take on Bridgewater State College on March 27th. Endicott gets set to defend their CCC title on April 1st when they open conference play at New England College.