September 17, 2009

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Mazzuto Family Head Coach for Baseball John Stuper, the winningest coach in Yale baseball history, will welcome six newcomers to the Bulldogs’ clubhouse for his 18th season in the dugout at historic Yale Field. The Class of 2013, which will round out the 2010 roster at 28 players, is comprised of three pitchers and three position players.

Pitcher Nolan Becker comes to Yale from Stuyvesant High School in New York City. The 6’6” southpaw has consistently thrown fastballs in the high-80s and touched 90 on the radar gun as a high school senior.

“At 6’6’’, 225lbs., Nolan has enormous upside,” said Stuper. “As he continues to increase his velocity and improve his command, he will become a key component to our pitching staff.”

Another hurler, Avery Lanman, joins the staff from Palos Verdes Peninsula High School in Palos Verdes, Calif. A 6’3 right-hander, Lanman’s sidearm delivery proved effective in fooling hitters throughout his high school career and at Stuper’s World Class Baseball Camp.

“Avery came to our camp last summer and just dominated,” said Stuper. “He has excellent movement and an above-average breaking ball which should translate into him getting innings right away.”

A second southpaw rounds out the additions to the pitching staff, as Christopher O’Hare comes to the Elm City from Lynnfield, Mass. The 6’2 lefty from Phillips Exeter Academy, who has been consistently clocked in the mid-80s with his fastball, also possesses a devastating breaking ball.

“Chris was one of the most polished pitchers we saw all summer, and he should compete for innings right away,” said Stuper.

Among the new faces around the diamond for the Bulldogs will be Chris Piwinski, a 5’11” utility player from Folsom, Calif. The graduate of Jesuit High School saw time in the outfield, behind the plate and in the middle infield throughout his high school career.

“In high school, Chris was an extremely versatile ballplayer,” said Stuper. “We’re looking forward to Chris bringing his versatility and hard-nosed style of play to Yale.”

Josh Scharff, a 5’10” first baseman and outfielder, joins the Bulldogs from Ladue Horton Watkins High School in St. Louis, Mo. Scharff could join senior Trygg Larsson-Danforth, a 2009 All-Ivy first team selection, as the power-hitting left-handers in the middle of the Yale lineup.

“Josh has power to all fields, and should help bolster the middle of our lineup right away,” said Stuper. “He has consistently ranked as one of the top power hitters in the St. Louis area and we hope he brings that same level of consistency to our offense.”

Rounding out the sextet of recruits is Cam Squires from the Canterbury School in Fort Wayne, Ind. Squires, a 5’7” centerfielder with blazing speed, was one of the top offensive catalysts for Canterbury during one of the most successful four-year stretches in school history.

“Cam’s best tool is his speed, which should work well with our style of play,” said Stuper. “I expect him to being a lot of energy and excitement to our lineup.”

The Yale baseball team posted a 13-24 record in the 2009 campaign with a 7-13 mark in the Ivy League. Fall action will commence with the City Series on Oct. 16 and 17 at Yale Field in New Haven. The Bulldogs will play the University of New Haven in the opening round, while Quinnipiac and Southern Connecticut State square off in the other day-one contest. The 2010 season officially opens with a three-game series at Maryland-Baltimore County beginning on Saturday, March 6.

report filed by Drew M. Kingsley, Yale Sports Publicity