Stingers Baseball Preview: Replacing A Star Pitcher

Concordia Baseball Program Looking To Bounce Back From Loss Of Jonathan Raftus

SportsHarrison-Milo Rahajason — Published September 6, 2016

Their deep playoff run, which culminated in a 6-1 loss to McGill in the final, served as great experience for what was, at the time, a very young ball club.

The 2015 team, led by star pitcher Jonathan Raftus, was unable to make a similarly deep run, losing a wildcard qualification series to the Université de Montréal Carabins despite a 12-4 record in the regular season.

In 2016, the Stingers are hoping the young team that brought them to the finals in 2014 will be ready to get them back there as veterans. Of the many storylines to follow surrounding the 2016 Stingers, none is bigger than their search to replace their ace, Jonathan Raftus.

The staff will turn to their second best pitcher from a year ago, right-handed pitcher Sam Springer. The Stingers will also have six foot, six, right-handed pitcher Dan Connerty in their ranks, who returns to Concordia after having spent two years at Northwood University in Michigan.

“Dan and Springer,” answered assistant coach Edwin Archer when asked how they planned to replace Raftus. “We know Sam, and Dan looks good. He’ll help us fill the void.”

Connerty, returns after pitching to a respectable 5.23 earned run average against NCAA lineups in 2015. He has drastically revamped his repertoire since his first stint as a Stinger.

“I used to just be a fastball, changeup pitcher,” said Connerty. “I’m now a fastball, two-seam, splitter guy with a show-me slider. I’ll hit high [80 miles per hour pitches] and sometimes low [90 miles per hour pitches] and Sam will hit low to mid [80 miles per hour pitches] which is the type of velocity you need at this level.”

The Stingers also return all of their best offensive options from 2015. Veteran infielders Robert Zapata, Stefan Brady, Anthony Marandola as well as outfielder Peter Zidros give the Stingers a lineup full of powerful bats and experienced defenders.

Coaches and players alike know that in order to have any chance at a championship, they’ll have to beat McGill.

“That’s going to be the difference between us finishing first or second,” said Archer. “If we can beat them, we’ll be in good shape.”

The Stingers are hoping that in 2016, they have enough talent and experience on their roster to beat the Redmen—the only team that poses a real threat to Concordia.

“If we can limit the mistakes on defence, keep the ball in the park, pitch deep into games and hit consistently, we’ll be fine,” said coach J.C Poulin. “We have a good team. It’ll just come down to how well we execute.”

The Stingers begin their season on September 8 against the Montreal Carabins.