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Senior-laden baseball team has high hopes

by Frank Aceto

Associate Sports Editor

When it comes to the Hudson baseball team, one thing is pretty much a given: The Explorers will win 20 games.

That didn't change in 2007 as Hudson posted a 20-8 record, including an 8-6 mark in the final year of the Western Reserve Conference. The team also won 20 games in 2006.

"We have re-emphasized our goal to win 20 ball games and if our pitching comes together early, we hope to position ourselves for a run at the Hudson District championship," said Explorers head coach Chuck Schilling, who has guided his teams to a 362-172 record during his 20-year tenure.

Hudson fell short of its postseason goal last year. The Explorers lost an 8-7 decision to eventual district champion Brecksville-Broadview Heights in a district semifinal contest.

Hudson lost several key seniors from a year ago. This list includes shortstop Johnny Hornke and first baseman Corey Sayers, who are playing with Miami University in Oxford.

Other graduating seniors are left-handed pitcher Andy Zaebst, who is playing for Ohio Northern University in Ada; right-handed pitcher Cole Johnson, who plays for the University of Notre Dame (Ind.); catcher Ty Wood, who is playing for Mount Union College in Alliance; outfielder Chris Kulesa; infielder Brandon Kulesa; and right-handed pitcher Dan Gusz.

Also departing is senior southpaw Matt Kerul, who moved to Georgia during the off-season. Kerul will play for Marshall (W. Va.) University.

Despite these losses, the Explorers have plenty of firepower.

Hudson's roster has 13 returning letter winners and three starters.

Some may think this year is all or nothing for the Explorers. They have 15 seniors on the roster.

"A solid, untested group of seniors will need to grow up quickly with the juniors and a talented class of sophomores waiting in the wings to add support when needed," Schilling said.

It's safe to say one senior won't have to worry about an underclassman taking his spot.

Third baseman Chad Opalich batted .489 last season and finished with a school-record nine triples. He also had one home run, eight doubles, 45 hits, 24 runs batted in and nine stolen bases. Opalich recently signed with the University of Dayton.

The pitching staff returns eight wins from a year ago. Senior right-hander Isaac Charette leads the way after posting a 4-0 record and a 2.52 earned run average in 2007. He finished with 19 strikeouts in 25 innings.

Charette recently signed to continue his academic and golfing careers at Ohio University in Athens.

Other senior pitchers include junior right-handers Aaron Pack (1-1, 12 innings), Sam Schilling (1-0), Brandon Finkes (2-1, 14 innings), Eric Gleixner and Todd Odell and left-hander Ryan Thornlow. Opalich, a right-hander, also may see some action as a closer.

Rounding out the pitching staff are right-handers Brian Riedel and Brad Kordel.

"This group is the most inexperienced but most interesting group of pitchers we've had in my 21 years at Hudson," Schilling said.

Junior Phil Furlong is the leading candidate to start behind the plate. Other catchers include senior Tyler Booth and sophomore Forrest Johnson.

Senior second baseman Billy Rillero, who played third last year, will anchor the infield, according to Schilling. He hit .329 with 12 RBIs and seven stolen bases in 2007.

Booth is expected to get the nod at shortstop. He hit .313 last season.

"Billy and Tyler are a very formidable double-play combo this season and we will be counting on them to anchor a team defense that will need to be at its best for seven innings," Schilling said.

Senior Phil Calabrese is expected to see some time at second base, while Riedel will back up Opalich at third.

Sam Schilling is expected to start at first. His backups are seniors Tim Dunlap and Kordel. Dunlap will be penciled in as the starting designated hitter and will bat in the middle of the lineup.

Competing for the outfield spots will be Pack (.292, 24 RBIs, one homer, seven doubles and two triples); seniors Ryan Pavlik (.429), Dan Perkins and Chris Turkovich; and junior James Stribrny.

The varsity assistants are Jeff Brown (26th year at Hudson) and Jim Nold (19th year). Buddy Dice (eighth year) will lead the junior varsity squad and Paul Dudley enters his 13th season as a volunteer assistant.

Hudson will play Cuyahoga Falls, Garfield Heights, Mayfield, Solon and Stow-Munroe Falls in the first-year Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division.

"The 2008 season promises to be one of the most challenging ever," Schilling said.

The Explorers' April 24 game against Tallmadge will be "Cancer Awareness Night" at the Ballpark at Hudson. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.

E-mail: faceto@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3914