ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon baseball team has slowly improved under third-year coach Nate Cocolin. The Golden Knights have increased their win total in both of Cocolin's seasons. With a bevy of new talent and a number of experienced returners, Gannon will look for its first winning season since 1985. 

GU returns its top two hitters from 2009 in Kolten Hoffman (West Middlesex, Pa./West Middlesex) and Greg Radwan (Farnham, Pa./St. Francis). Hoffman hit .336 with eight doubles, 31 RBIs, and a team-high .452 slugging percentage. Radwan batted .326 in 45 games, collecting 46 hits, second-most on the team. Going around the diamond for the 2010 Knights-

Pitching staff-The team has several returning starters from 2009 and a few newcomers competing for time on the mound this year. Radwan, Evan Euler (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills), Drew Rojek (Lake View, N.Y./Frontier), and Brian Gunnell (Falconer, N.Y./Falconer) each made at least nine appearances last season. Euler led the team with three wins and four complete games. Lefthander David Hucsko (Cambridge, Ontario/Preston) pitched in the 2009 Junior College World Series and is expected to be in the rotation for GU. Freshmen David Spaeder (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) and Jeff Jones (Pittsburgh, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic) and returners Mark Myott (Bemus Point, N.Y./Maple Grove) and Mark Carlozzi (Poland, Ohio/Poland Seminary) will also see time on the bump for the Knights.
In the bullpen, Jeff Miller (Masury, Ohio/Brookfield), Peter Grouios (Toronto, Ontario/East York Collegiate Institute), and Aaron Andzel (Clarence, N.Y./Clarence) will see action in 2010.

Catcher-Brandon Crum (Saegertown, Pa./Saegertown) returns as the starter after catching 37 games a season ago. “As the catcher, he is the leader on the field for us,” said Cocolin. The senior will be backed up by freshman Michael Tomko (Sharon, Pa./Sharon) behind the plate. 

First base-Radwan will have the first shot at playing time here in games he doesn't pitch. The senior compiled a .974 fielding percentage last season. “He is at the top of our rotation and in the middle of our order,” said Cocolin. “He leads by example and is one of our hardest-working players.” Hoffman may also see time at first, second, and in the outfield. Redshirt freshman Josh McCaslin (McKean, Pa./General McLane) and newcomers Cory Boukowski (Depew, N.Y./Depew), Ian Kelly (New Wilmington, Pa./Wilmington Area), and Jake Carter (Saegertown, Pa./Saegertown) will play first too.

Second base-Hoffman started at second in 2009 and will be in the mix again this year. Jones, senior Bobby Fanto (Syracuse, N.Y./Corcoran), and freshman Eric Bradley (Mount Pleasant, Pa./Mount Pleasant) should see time here as well.

Third base-Shaine Patsilevas (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) started 38 games at third last season and should be the starter again. He hit .260 and stole six bases. Jones, Fanto, and Bradley could step in at this position throughout the year also.

Shortstop-Tim Lipp (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) started all 46 at short last season for Gannon. He batted .275 with five doubles while recording a team-high 125 assists in the field.

Outfield-The Knights have a combination of returners and newcomers across the outfield this season. Kyle Harpster (Erie, Pa./McDowell) started 39 games as a freshman and will be the first candidate to play in centerfield this year. Harpster, along with Lipp and Patsilevas, make a group that saw plenty of action as freshmen and are now sophomores ready to lead the team. Transfers Alex Merkley (Ottawa, Ontario/A.Y. Jackson S.S.) and Jordan Bergado (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield) are expected to contribute in 2010, while Hoffman and Tomko will also compete for time in the outfield. 

Gannon opens its season at the Ripken Baseball Academy Tournament, where they will face East Stroudsburg four times in two days. GU then travels to Winter Haven, Florida, for the Russ-Matt Invitational, where it will play 12 games over spring break. The Knights open Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action at Mercyhurst March 12. 

“This is the hardest working team we've had since I've been here,” said Cocolin. “The team has set two goals-have a winning record and make the PSAC playoffs for the first time. My job is to prepare them for that every day.”