At every Wolfpack baseball game, nine players take the field wearing “Loyola” across their jerseys, but they aren’t the entire team.
The team is: the nine players on the field, the pitchers in the bullpen and the players in the dugout, including the freshmen, said coach Gregg Mucerino.
“They’re here because they’ve all worked hard to be here,” Mucerino said.
Depth and versatility were coach Mucerino’s goals for the this season, as he recruited college transfers and incoming freshmen, such as finance freshman Marc Jaynes, general studies freshman Jerry Campos, and biology freshman Joey Villa. Even though they work as hard as the rest of the Wolfpack, they haven’t played in many games this season.
But Mucerino said that this is only a phase of his plan, which began in the summer, because the freshmen are a valuable component of the team’s future.
Jaynes is under the league’s radar, but it’s only a matter of time before every team in the conference knows who he is, said Mucerino.
“He continuously improves and with his size and frame (6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 230 pounds), he’ll be the premier power hitter of the league.”
Mucerino said that Jaynes has a great glove in the field and an even better eye for the ball, rare qualities for a player of Jaynes’ stature.
“Above all,” said Mucerino, “he’s a good young man.”
Villa had a tough time adjusting, and backing up business junior Kevin Kalina made his load heavier, said Mucerino.
“But now, he’s a very clutch player, which is why he’s mostly a pinch hitter.”
As one of only three left-handed hitters on the Wolfpack roster, Villa adds versatility to the team by forcing awkward situations on opposing pitchers. With his reliable and steady bat, Villa gives Mucerino more offensive options as an alternate.
“Most importantly, he’s accepted his role and has put the team before himself, which is paramount,” Mucerino said.
Mucerino said that Campos is also under the radar.
“He’s a talented catcher,” Mucerino said. “If he continues to develop offensively, he’ll turn into a good player.He works very hard, and he’s tough on himself.”
Illustrating the Wolfpack’s depth and versatility, as well as emphasizing the freshmen’s importance, Mucerino said, “These guys could (replace an injured or sick starter), and the team wouldn’t miss a beat.”
Mucerino said that he parallels the team and its values to the Jesuit tradition. “They are developing on and off the field,” he said. “It’s exciting to see. To be the best you can be: that’s what it’s all about.”
Players like Jaynes, Villa and Campos are more vital to the team than they know, said coach Mucerino.
“They are the future. The future could be next year, tomorrow, or the next at-bat,” he said.
Chris Anderson can be reached at [email protected].
