Spring Sports Preview Series: Baseball Storylines to Watch for in 2023

2023 will provide a new look for Worcester State University baseball. 10 seniors graduated last year and a handful of new coaches have been brought in with only Lancer mainstay Dave Wigren providing continuity on the coaching staff as he continues his role as bench coach. Here are just some of the storylines to keep an eye on throughout the Lancers 2023 campaign. 

A New Head Coach 

For the first time since 1996, Worcester State Baseball will have a new head coach at the helm in Phil Price. Though it’s his first season at the collegiate level, the Central Mass. native brings plenty of baseball experience and will look to lead the Lancers to a deep playoff run. He inherits a strong team captained by four-year starting shortstop Chris Ausiello (Tyngsboro, Mass.). It will be a fresh look for a storied program that traces its history back to the late ‘40s as Price becomes the 12th man to lead the Lancers. 

Veteran led Pitching staff with Potential a-Plenty 

Pitching is everything when you’ve got as many as five or six games in a week. The Lancers will look towards a trio of senior starters to be their rock. Southpaw Ben Smith (Bourne, Mass.) came away with the best ERA in all of Division III a year ago while Kevin Zarnoch (Boston, Mass.) took home a Pitcher of the Week nod last season and pitched well over the summer in the Futures League, boasting a 3.14 ERA and going 4-1. Cole Glassburn (Hopkinton, Mass.) led all of the Futures League last summer with six wins. The bullpen will be backboned by senior Brett Bucklin (Lynn, Mass.) and junior Danny DiMassimo (Pittsfield, Mass.). 

Jam-Packed Spring Break to Kick off the Season 

The baseball team will be traveling to Myrtle Beach, S.C. for spring break this season, and will be quite busy. In just nine days they’ll play 12 games. A huge increase from last year’s trip to Florida, when eight games were played in the same amount of time. We’ll get a good look at just how strong this year’s team is on March 17th, when they go head-to-head with the nationally second-ranked Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors in their first of their two game series. 

A New Catcher 

After four years of consistency at the catching position supplied by the recently graduated Michael Chaves, the majority of the playing time behind the plate is now up for grabs. Look for senior power threat Alex Sorenti-Burns (Bourne, Mass.) to find himself gearing up after a couple of seasons primarily appearing as the designated hitter. Also in the mix will be sophomore Tyler Smith (Leominster, Mass.), Quinsigamond Community College transfer Colin Fitzgerald (Auburn, Mass.) and freshman Joe Auger (Lowell, Mass.). 

The Lancers open up in South Carolina on March 10th against fellow Massachusetts school Suffolk University. They’ll host Eastern Nazarene College on March 29th for their home opener.

~ Chris Wright ~