- Rams to play five games on Spring Trip -
Farmingdale, N.Y. - The Farmingdale State baseball team is currently on their spring trip down in Florida, playing in the 2013 RussMatt Central Florida Invitational, which hosts over 200 colleges annually in all divisions (NCAA DI, II, III, NAIA and JUCO).
The Rams, who were recently ranked #25 in the D3baseball.com preseason poll, are set to open the season on Saturday, February 23rd with a double-header at 11:00 a.m. against Gwynedd-Mercy (Pa.), who finished 24-19 last year.
Farmingdale State will then face Rose-Hulman (Ind.) on Sunday, February 24th at 1:00 p.m. They won the HCAC regular season championship last season, return six offensive starters and the top starting pitcher from a staff that helped the team finish 18-6 in conference play along with 27 wins last season.
Wrapping up the trip on Monday, February 25th, the Rams face RIT (N.Y.) at 10:00 a.m. and SUNY Canton at 2:00 p.m. Rochester Institute returns 16 players from last season's squad, who finished 12-28 last season, while Canton finished 9-28.
After winning their fifth straight Skyline Championship in 2012 and finishing 32-12 overall, the Rams will look to seniority and some new faces for a chance at another title. Farmingdale returns six starters and five pitchers this year, and after last seasons appearance in the Regional Championship game, will work towards a trip to Appleton, Wisconsin in May.
The coaching staff will see some new faces as well with Joe Mongiello (3B), Kevin Salmon (P) and Matt Heenan. Coach Osik looks toward his 200th win this year, holding a 180-115 career coaching record over seven seasons.
*****