St John's Preview


Opening day is finally here.  The Bradley LeCroy era will begin this week at home against Big East power St Johns for a 3-game set in Lynchburg.  The Red Storm were picked 3rd in the Big East behind UCONN & Xavier, both of whom are ranked in the mid major top 25.  The Red Storm also received 1 first place vote and placed 4 players on the pre-season All Big East team.  They won the Big East last year and boasted a 12-10 road record which is always important for teams for the NE that will play the bulk of the first month on the road.  The Red Storm have long been a power at the Mid Major level under long time HC Ed Blankmeyer before he stepped away in 2020.  18-year assistant Mike Hampton replaced him and has restored the Red Storm to prominence for the first time since 2018 when they won 40 games.  The 2 teams faced off a number of times in the Jim Toman & Scott Jackson eras with the Johnnies leading the all-time series 8-6 including a sweep of the Flames in their last meeting in 2018 in Queens.  

Coach Hampton felt like the program had as many as 5 potential pro prospects on the roster highlighted by Chaffee & Jackson.  He also felt like he had as many as 4 experienced proven arms in the back end of the pen anchored by Marinaro.  The Johnnies come into the game relatively healthy as they are down just 2 players in an outfielder and 1 pitcher.  

2024 - 38-18-1 overall and 14-7 In Big East.  Then went 1-2 in the Charlottesville Regional falling to Hail State in the opener before staving off elimination against Penn to then fall to Hail State again in the 3rd game.  

Players to Watch - Preseason All-Big East Players

SP Evan Chaffee - 4.86 ERA in 70 1/3 IP with 55 K's.  
SS Luke Orbon - .271 BA .794 OPS 5 HR's and 33 RBI's & 10/12 SB's.  
OF Tucker Jackson - .293 BA .842 OPS 6 HR's and 40 RBIs to go along 21/28 SB's. 
RP Louis Marinaro - 3.38 ERA (.98 Whip) in 22 appearances covering 48 IP.  58 K's 

Pitching Matchups

St. John's
Friday - Chaffee
Saturday - Rodriguez
Sunday - Chase

Liberty 
Friday - Mathieson
Saturday - Blair
Sunday - Swink 

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