BRISTOL, R.I. – With the 2010 season on the horizon, the Roger Williams University Baseball team is anxious to get out on the field and begin the quest for a Commonwealth Coast Conference title.

Expectations were high for the 2009 season after the previous year's team set a school record with 34 wins, yet the Hawks fell short of their goals after going 21-20-1 overall and finishing in third place in the TCCC with a 12-9-1 record. In the conference tournament, RWU went 3-1 and finished one game shy of advancing to the championship game.

After being picked third in the preseason coaches' poll, the Hawks hope to exceed expectations. This year, the Hawks seek to not only get to the title game, but win and represent the TCCC at the NCAA Tournament.

After graduating seven seniors who won a school-record 98 games in their four years as Hawks, this year's team boasts a young roster with 16 underclassmen. Though despite their youth, the Hawks still have a talented roster in which their strength lies in starting pitching, according to Head Coach Derek Carlson.

Stepping into the rotation are senior Ryan Willette (Middleton, Mass.), juniors Sam Podbelski (East Greenwich, R.I.) and PJ Gouthro (Walpole, Mass.), sophomore Sean Scanlon (Lebanon, Conn.), and freshman Ben O'Shea (Reading, Mass.).

“One through five, I think they're as good as anybody,” said Coach Carlson.

Leading the Hawks in the bullpen is senior closer Billy Dunn (Fiskdale, Mass.) and his school-record 18 saves in his career. Returning back from injuries are senior Greg Sousa (Billerica, Mass.) and junior Eric Brown (Walpole, Mass.). Also in the pen are junior Jim Maule (Kensington, Conn.) and freshman Josh Orosz (Fairfield, Conn.) who each transferred to RWU. Sophomore Chris Comeau (Southbury, Conn.) and freshman Chris Anderson (Westerly, R.I.) each can provide long relief, while freshmen Tony Trafecanty (Franklin, Mass.) and Logan Hartman (Fairfield, Conn.) round out the rest of the bullpen.

Within the lineup, senior co-captain Grant Bolin (Simsbury, Conn.) and Zach Porter (Middleboro, Mass.) are expected to be leaders on the team offensively, as the duo combined for 100 hits and 51 RBI in 2009. Bolin will hold down the fort at shortstop, while Porter will continue to patrol left field.

In the infield, first year players Trafecanty, Matt Swensen (Charlton, Mass.), and Matthew Roche (Bristol, Conn.) should see time at third base, second base, and first base, respectively. Coach Carlson describes the trio as athletic and tough outs.

In the outfield, Junior Tim Georgen (Bristol, Conn.) will be making the shift from left field to center, while junior Brian Jackson (Shrewsbury, Mass.), sophomores Comeau and Eric Cabral (Dorchester, Mass.), and freshman Rob Zarthar (Dedham, Mass.) have been working hard in competing for time in right field.

Behind the plate, Coach Carlson feels the team has good depth, with senior co-captain Ryan MacCarthy (Middleton, Mass.), junior Stephen McKernan (Grafton, Mass.), and sophomore Trevor Manzi (Beverly, Mass.) each bringing something different to the table.

In the first base/designated hitter spot, freshman Jon Palmer (Old Saybrook, Conn.) and John Gikas (Danvers, Mass.) provides flexibility in the position, as the lefty/righty combo can swing the bat well.

Complementing Coach Carlson are second-year coach John Cronin and first-year coach Josh Porter. Cronin works with the pitchers, while Porter helps to develop the hitters.

“I think the lineup we put out there will be very competitive and we'll be a tough team to pitch two one through nine. As far as leadership, I think grant and ryan have done a great job. They're very focused and have made sure that the guys have worked hard, and we'll be relying on them quite a bit.”

The team will fly down to Florida Friday morning for their first game of the season Saturday, as the Hawks take part in the 2010 RussMatt Baseball Invitational. Their first two games as part of the ten-game Spring Break trip will be a doubleheader against Babson College beginning at 12:30 p.m. The Hawks return home March 23, for their home and TCCC opener against New England College at 2:00 p.m.