West Hartford, Conn. – First year head coach Justin Blood has named Andy Drexel, Simon Kudernatsch and Ryan Lukach as captains for the 2012 season. The trio represents a pair of senior (Drexel and Kudernatsh), while Lukach is a sophomore on the 2012 squad.
“We feel it’s important that our student-athletes make the decisions when it comes to captains,” said Blood. “Simon, Andy and Ryan were chosen by their peers and are certainly deserving of their teammates respect. We hope to have a roster full of leaders and these three understand that they play a big role in that growing process.”
“We feel it’s important that our student-athletes make the decisions when it comes to captains,” said Blood. “Simon, Andy and Ryan were chosen by their peers and are certainly deserving of their teammates respect. We hope to have a roster full of leaders and these three understand that they play a big role in that growing process.”
Lukach, from Hillsborough, N.J., returns as the third leading hitter from last season’s squad. The pitcher/utility finished his rookie campaign with a .276 batting average with 35 hits in 127 at bats. He finished with 10 extra base hits, seven doubles, a pair of triples and one long ball. He also finished the season fourth with 16 RBI. On the mound, Lukach made 10 appearances, six of which were starts. In a total of 33.1 innings, he allowed 42 hits and 31 runs for a 7.02 era. He finished the season 0-4 on the hill.
Kudernatsch is the only player from 2011 who started every game, mostly as the second baseman or shortstop. The native of the Czech Republic finished his junior season leading the team with 42 hits, 11 of which went for extra bases, eight doubles, a pair of triples and one home run. Kudernatsch finished the season with a .223 batting average, while he was second with 21 RBI and led the Hawks with eight stolen bases.
Drexel saw time in 13 games before suffering a season ending injury. The catcher/outfielder from Pequea, Pa. finished with eight hits in 44 at bats last season. A year prior, Drexel smacked a dozen home runs, the first player to hit double digit home runs since the 2004 season. He also led the team in RBI’s (36), runs scored (37), doubles (15) and slugging percentage (.621).
The Hawks will play a 56-game schedule over 41 dates in 2012. The scheduled includes dates with three NCAA Regional participants from 2011. The first six games for Hartford will come on the road as they beat out the winter weather in the Northeast. Hartford will open 2012 with a three-game series at Oklahoma (February 24-26), who ended 2011 with a 40-19 overall record. The Hawks home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, March 7 against Nutmeg State rival Central Connecticut.
Blood takes over the Hawks baseball program after serving as the Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Connecticut the past six years. Blood helped lead the Huskies to an NCAA Super Regional appearance last season before falling to eventual National Champion South Carolina. Last season, Connecticut finished with a 45-20-1 overall record, including a 22-5 in BIG EAST play, en route to the BIG EAST regular season title.
Source: http://www.hartfordhawks.com/news/2011/11/30/BB_1130111140.aspx?path=baseball
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