2016 Stepinac Crusaders
Coach — Keith Richardson

How many years have you been coaching at your current school? 13 years (first as head coach).

How did your team fare last season? 11-7 league record. Lost in third game of 2-out-of-3 in third round of playoffs to eventual champion Msgr. Farrell.

Who are the top players that you lost to graduation? CF Tyler Gambardella (Fairfield University).

Who are your key returning players?
Nick Antenucci, Sr. – RHP/INF
Steven Boscia, Sr. – RHP/DH
Edwin Feliciano, Sr. – CF/LHP
Richie Wells, Sr. – 2B/3B
Jack Ryan, Sr. – OF/RHP

How do you feel about your pitching entering the season? Pitching should be our strongest area. We have a lot of depth with a nice righty/lefty mix.

Your lineup? Have some experienced guys in the lineup along with some new guys. Likely will have to look to manufacture runs and get timely hits.

Your defense? We are hoping our defense is improved from last year. Still looking for guys to solidify positions and roles.

How would you describe your philosophy on how the game should be played? Believe in playing fundamentally sound, hustling all the time and doing the little things to help to the team win.

How would you assess your team’s chances this season? I think we can be very competitive this season. Our depth in pitching should keep us in a lot of tight games. If we can come out on the right end of those close games, we will have a successful season.

When is your opening game? Friday, April 1 vs. Mount St. Michael, 11 a.m. at Stepinac.

On deck: Yorktown

I’ll be posting at least one of these per day leading up to the start of the season at the end of the month. Coaches, if you did not receive a capsule email and would like to participate, please fill out the questions below and send them to me at vmercoglia@lohud.com.