Baseball | February 13, 2015

PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle baseball team will open its 2015 season this weekend with a three-game series against Stetson University at Melching Field. The Explorers will rely on depth and experience this season to make it back to the A-10 tournament for the fourth time in six years.
 
"We're a little older this year, a little bit more mature, so the guys know what the A-10 is all about," said head coach Mike Lake.
 
The Explorers return seven seniors, including a first team All-Atlantic 10 and All-Big 5 selection in Justin Korenblatt. The Clarksburg, Md. native ranked second in the Atlantic 10 in batting average (.372), total bases (103), and hits (71). The 71 hits are tied for tenth-most for a single season in La Salle history, and the outfielder also led the team with 11 doubles, six triples and nine stolen bases.
 
Senior Cameron Jonson, who split time between the outfield and third base last season, will help solidify the outfield in 2015. Johnson tied for a team-high five homers and finished second with a .308 batting average. Ethan Springston, a transfer and 2011 MLB Draft pick, is also expected to see significant time in the outfield for the Blue and Gold this year.
 
The Explorers have a number of solid options in the middle of the infield. Newcomers Michael Flax and Yan Rivera will compete for the starting job at shortstop. Flax sat out last season after transferring from Tennessee while Rivera, who was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 36th round of last year's MLB Draft, is a freshman. Colin McGowan will also be an option at second base or shortstop, returning as a junior after playing 81 games during his first two seasons. 
 
Josh Savakinus, who played second base last season, has moved over to third for his senior season. The Lackawanna junior college transfer hit .295 while finishing second on the team in doubles (10), homers (4), and stolen bases (4).
 
The Explorers return senior Mark Williams at first base, who tied for the team lead in home runs (5) and finished second on the club with 31 RBI's in 2014.
 
Ryan Welling and Dan Callahan both saw significant time behind the plate for the Explorers last season. A redshirt senior, Welling made 25 starts in 2014 for La Salle while Callahan saw action in 19 games (8 starts).
 
The starting rotation will comprise of junior transfer Jared Mattera, former Atlantic 10 All-Rookie selection Joey Ravert and senior Freddy Andujar.
 
The Explorers have a couple of experienced arms coming out of the bullpen this season. Senior Adam Cherry's eight career saves are sixth all-time, and the righty led the staff with a 2.23 ERA as a sophomore. Righties Greg Krug, Tom Fazzini and Andrew Craig combined for 73 innings last season. 
 
La Salle opens Friday night against the Hatters with a 7 p.m. first pitch with their eyes set on the A-10 tournament in May in Washington, D.C.
 
"The main goal is to win the A-10 and get into a regional," said Ravert. "We want to win as many games as possible and make a name for ourselves."