Photo by: David Nemec
Notebook: Baseball Takes the Field
Jan 26 | Baseball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – On a crisp Friday afternoon, Rutgers baseball returned to Bainton Field to officially start practice for the 2018 season. This edition of the Scarlet Knights have been together since classes resumed in September with fall workouts and offseason training, but focus on the Feb. 16 opener at Miami is now in full effect.
"Today went well," head coach Joe Litterio said. "We were able to get on the field, which is always a bonus, and get six live innings in. That's more than expected. It was good day."
Following drills to start the session, the team took to the field to compete in a live setting. Pitchers were able to work up their pitch count and get a feel on the mound, while hitters had the opportunity to get into a rhythm at the plate.
"It was a cold day, but everyone came out with intensity," senior pitcher John O'Reilly said. "Everyone wanted to be here was ready to go. It was a good way to start."
O'Reilly is the veteran of the pitching staff with 214.1 innings of experience as a three-year starter. The right-hander induced numerous ground balls in three innings of work on the mound Friday, with attention on pounding the strike zone.
"We have to get ahead of guys and finish guys," O'Reilly said of the staff's focus. "We want to get our own outs and count on the defense to help us out too."
Part of the change around the program this offseason was the addition of assistant coaches Phil Cundari, who was the 2011 National Pitching Coach of the Year, and Jim Duffy, who worked the previous six years as the head coach at Manhattan.
"When you get a coach with his reputation, the staff becomes alert," Litterio first mentioned about the adjustment with the pitchers. "They are living through his words and buying into what he's preaching. The pitching staff has been working tremendously hard. Coach Duffy has brought his energy into the program as well. The culture has changed. I didn't think it would change this quickly, but it has. These guys are focused and the energy and grit are here. So far it has been going into the right direction."
***
Part of the first day is the chance to see freshmen mix into the collegiate environment for the first time on the field.
"The more younger guys you can get out there, the better it is because it pushes everybody else," Litterio said. "We have some guys that have potential to play right away and that's great. It emphasizes that the best guys are playing."
One freshman in contention to make an early impact is Harry Rutkowski, who was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 28th round last summer. The left-handed pitcher made the decision to enroll at Rutgers after a season earning 2017 GMC Male Athlete of the Year at Woodbridge High School.
"Rutgers is close to home for me," Rutkowski said. "I wanted to come here and play for the school of New Jersey. It feels great to get outside and get going. But it still a little nerve-racking coming out here in my first year even though I'm been here since the fall, and these guys are my friends. I've learned a lot from the older guys already."
"I think it has been a real easy transition with the new guys," fifth-year senior Chris Folinusz said. "They are all good guys and have become part of the team. It is a good locker room."
***
On the flip side, veterans like Folinusz, who earned Third Team All-Big Ten last season, noted the change of culture around the program. The Scarlet Knights are pushing to claim a spot in the Big Ten playoffs and work from there.
"This year we have been trying to change the culture," Folinusz said. "Everyone has been working hard, putting in the early work and getting after it in the weight room. The new coaches have brought that with them and everyone has bought in. We want to get some Ws and be the best team that we can."
Dual-sport athlete Jawuan Harris is now a junior on the diamond and will be a target for opponents after he has stolen 60 bases and hit 11 home runs the previous two seasons. He played safety for the football team in the fall and collected three interceptions to tie the team lead.
"I want cut down my strikeouts this year," Harris said. "That's the main thing I've focused on. It's been great to see some live pitching and be able to make adjustments. We had a lot of energy out here today."
***
With three weeks until the opener, the team will continue to use the turf on Bainton Field to get in live work when possible, while also taking advantage of the Hill Training Complex. The indoor facility is big enough to set up an infield to simulate game situations.
"I'm hoping that we can pitch and play defense," Litterio said. "That's the focal point. If we can limit mistakes there, offensively we have a pretty good lineup. We have some speed and I think defense is going to be the catalyst. If we can play defense and pitch, we'll be okay."
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding baseball, follow the program on Twitter (@BaseballRU), Instagram (@rutgersbaseball), Facebook (/BaseballRU) and Snapchat (rutgersbaseball).
"Today went well," head coach Joe Litterio said. "We were able to get on the field, which is always a bonus, and get six live innings in. That's more than expected. It was good day."
Following drills to start the session, the team took to the field to compete in a live setting. Pitchers were able to work up their pitch count and get a feel on the mound, while hitters had the opportunity to get into a rhythm at the plate.
"It was a cold day, but everyone came out with intensity," senior pitcher John O'Reilly said. "Everyone wanted to be here was ready to go. It was a good way to start."
O'Reilly is the veteran of the pitching staff with 214.1 innings of experience as a three-year starter. The right-hander induced numerous ground balls in three innings of work on the mound Friday, with attention on pounding the strike zone.
"We have to get ahead of guys and finish guys," O'Reilly said of the staff's focus. "We want to get our own outs and count on the defense to help us out too."
***#RVision: #RBaseball head coach @JoeLitterioRU discussed the first day of practice & and the focus heading into the season opener pic.twitter.com/hbCHI1TKsA
— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) January 26, 2018
Part of the change around the program this offseason was the addition of assistant coaches Phil Cundari, who was the 2011 National Pitching Coach of the Year, and Jim Duffy, who worked the previous six years as the head coach at Manhattan.
"When you get a coach with his reputation, the staff becomes alert," Litterio first mentioned about the adjustment with the pitchers. "They are living through his words and buying into what he's preaching. The pitching staff has been working tremendously hard. Coach Duffy has brought his energy into the program as well. The culture has changed. I didn't think it would change this quickly, but it has. These guys are focused and the energy and grit are here. So far it has been going into the right direction."
***
Part of the first day is the chance to see freshmen mix into the collegiate environment for the first time on the field.
"The more younger guys you can get out there, the better it is because it pushes everybody else," Litterio said. "We have some guys that have potential to play right away and that's great. It emphasizes that the best guys are playing."
One freshman in contention to make an early impact is Harry Rutkowski, who was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 28th round last summer. The left-handed pitcher made the decision to enroll at Rutgers after a season earning 2017 GMC Male Athlete of the Year at Woodbridge High School.
"Rutgers is close to home for me," Rutkowski said. "I wanted to come here and play for the school of New Jersey. It feels great to get outside and get going. But it still a little nerve-racking coming out here in my first year even though I'm been here since the fall, and these guys are my friends. I've learned a lot from the older guys already."
"I think it has been a real easy transition with the new guys," fifth-year senior Chris Folinusz said. "They are all good guys and have become part of the team. It is a good locker room."
***
On the flip side, veterans like Folinusz, who earned Third Team All-Big Ten last season, noted the change of culture around the program. The Scarlet Knights are pushing to claim a spot in the Big Ten playoffs and work from there.
"This year we have been trying to change the culture," Folinusz said. "Everyone has been working hard, putting in the early work and getting after it in the weight room. The new coaches have brought that with them and everyone has bought in. We want to get some Ws and be the best team that we can."
***Great day of work at Bainton Field - baseball season is here! #RBaseball
— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) January 26, 2018
Photos: @_davidnemec pic.twitter.com/BIfCJ5DBLN
Dual-sport athlete Jawuan Harris is now a junior on the diamond and will be a target for opponents after he has stolen 60 bases and hit 11 home runs the previous two seasons. He played safety for the football team in the fall and collected three interceptions to tie the team lead.
"I want cut down my strikeouts this year," Harris said. "That's the main thing I've focused on. It's been great to see some live pitching and be able to make adjustments. We had a lot of energy out here today."
***
With three weeks until the opener, the team will continue to use the turf on Bainton Field to get in live work when possible, while also taking advantage of the Hill Training Complex. The indoor facility is big enough to set up an infield to simulate game situations.
"I'm hoping that we can pitch and play defense," Litterio said. "That's the focal point. If we can limit mistakes there, offensively we have a pretty good lineup. We have some speed and I think defense is going to be the catalyst. If we can play defense and pitch, we'll be okay."
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding baseball, follow the program on Twitter (@BaseballRU), Instagram (@rutgersbaseball), Facebook (/BaseballRU) and Snapchat (rutgersbaseball).
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