Bearcats to open new season, new stadium too

2/20/2013 (Updated 11:06:20 PM)

VESTAL -- The losses to graduation, though low in numbers, are high in significance. Two MLB draft picks and one of the best four-year players in program history have departed but 21st-year head coach Tim Sinicki believes his 2013 team still may be a better overall one than its predecessor.

Gone are Binghamtons top starter (Mike Augliera, 5th round, Boston) and its premier closer (Lee Sosa, 26th round, Oakland)  as well as two-time all-conference first baseman and the teams No. 3 hitter (Dave Ciocchi).

Each year its tough to lose players who have worked so hard and have given so much to the program, Sinicki said. But it makes it especially tough when they are guys who made such an impact on the program like Ciocchi, Augliera and Sosa did. They left big shoes to fill for sure, but big opportunities for guys to battle for.

Sinicki does return 23 letterwinners, including all but one starting position player and three of four starting weekend pitchers. After enduring a vagabond 2012 season in which they practiced on soccer fields and played all 49 games away from home, this years squad will have an immediate leg-up simply by virtue of staying home. The University unveiled its new multi-million dollar baseball facility in the fall and Sinicki has 20 scheduled home dates at the Bearcats Sports Complex, including one of the earliest home openers (March 23 vs. Stony Brook) in program history.

The facility features stadium seating, press box, sunken dugouts and a 30-foot center field batters eye.

We are all looking forward to playing back on campus this spring in our new facility, Sinicki said. Twenty home games are the most weve ever had in a spring season. We are hoping to really create excitement and a great environment here on campus, and turn the new facility into a true home field advantage.

(Courtesy Bearcats Athletics)