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2008-09 News:
Isler Named New Assistant Coach
Groves Tears Up Summer League
Purchase to Host Under Armour Tryouts
2008 Season in Review
Tiebreaker Costs Panthers Playoff Spot
Purchase, NY – The Purchase College baseball team came tantalizingly close to a playoff berth this season. Finishing with a record of 10-29 and 6-10 in conference play, they missed out on the six seed after losing a tiebreaker to Polytechnic University.
Despite missing the playoffs, the Panthers can look back on this season as a successful one. It was obvious that they were just as good as anyone in the conference, highlighted by the fact that they played the best team in the conference, Farmingdale State very well towards the end of the season. The Panthers received a number of great performances: First baseman George Kennedy (SO/Nyack, NY) led the Skyline Conference in home runs and finished with six longballs on the season, while also tying for the Panther lead with 32 RBIs. Kennedy finished the season batting .362, also best on the team.
Tri-captain Michael Shea (SR/Cortlandt Manor, NY) was once again leaned upon heavily this season. Shea joined Kennedy by knocking in 32 runs, while leading the squad with 40 runs scored. He batted .328 in his final season as a Panther. The shortstop was consistent in the field as well, finishing with 117 assists and just 18 errors.
Three Panthers also hit over .300 this season. Rookie standout Austin Groves (FR/Stratford, CT), key returnee Kyle Saud (JR/Jesup,GA) and tri-captain Tony Dimitry (JR/Hilliard, OH) batted over .300. Dimitry drove in 21 -- the second highest total on the team. Saud was a defensive force this season in center, tracking down a number of fly balls that seemed destined for extra bases.
Outfielder Anthony Dowalo (JR/Hicksville, NY) was the other shareholder of the team lead in RBI. Second basemen Jared Isaacson (SO/Port Washington, NY) provided some speed on the basepaths, swiping a team-leading 15 bags, while never being caught.
The Panthers got a strong final season out of their four-year ace and tri-captain Chad Charney (SR/Port Chester, NY). Charney started 11 games, going the distance twice. The right-hander finished with an impressive 55 strikeouts to go with two hard-fought wins. Charney also spent some time in the infield this season, playing well when called upon.
Starting Pitcher Eric Golden (SR/Putnam Valley, NY) had a strong senior campaign, starting seven games. Golden went the distance once and won two decisions, while striking out 27. The lefty turned in one of the most impressive performances of the season against Farmingdale, keeping the Panthers in the game with a gutty performance on an injured ankle.
Under head coach Bill Guerrero the Panthers have made some great strides. With a strong returning core, they will look to advance to the Skyline Tournament next season.
-Michael Wimmer
