LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – With spring just around the corner, baseball season is back in Central, Pa. and the Lock Haven University baseball team is set to make a run to the top.

The Bald Eagles hit the diamond tomorrow (Thursday, February 17) as they make their yearly trip to Newport News, Va. to start off with what looks to be a promising season at the Builder Invitational at the Apprentice School.

Lock Haven enters the 2011 season with some unfinished business after, an unsatisfying 2010 campaign.

The Bald Eagles are looking to advance to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) playoffs for second time in three years.

Head coach Smokey Stover is entering his 20th season with Lock Haven and has a great mixture of young talent and experience veterans that put the playoffs in reach.

“I think that if we do not make the playoffs this season it will be a huge disappointment for the program,” said Stover.

LHU was 16-28 overall last season and 7-17 in the PSAC West play, after a 2009 appearance in 2009.

Stover definitely knows it won't be easy as the Bald Eagles start off their season with one of the hardest schedules in years. Although, Stover feels that the tough start will give the team a viewpoint on where the team stands and how they will compete all year long.

Coach Stover feels his defense is solid and one of the biggest strengths of the team.

The team's confidence in the defense and knowing they will get run support will transfer over to The Haven's veteran pitching staff.

With a fresh looking line-up Stover likes the balance of speed, contact, and power at the plate.

PITCHING

Returning to lead the pitching rotation is an experienced trio of senior leaders, including Tyler Rumsey (Mansfield, Pa./Mansfield), Jordan Yohn (Three Springs, Pa./Southern Huntingdon), and Andrew Simonik (Scott Township, Pa./Lakeland).

Stover can't say enough about these three right-handed gun slingers and says that their leadership and experience will guide the team.

He feels that all three pitchers are on the top of their game and ready to take the LHU program to the next level this spring

Rumsey, who had three wins last season in 41.2 innings, is looking to use his experience to have a career season in his final year at Lock Haven.

Yohn is coming off a tough season only having one win in 48.2 innings of work, but he led the Bald Eagles in strikeouts with 58.

Simonik is the one pitcher that Lock Haven hopes to turn around this season. Simonik got the nod two years ago in Lock Haven's only playoff game in eight years against West Chester

He hopes to build on key performances he has had in his career to have a strong 2011 season.

Rounding off the rotation for the Bald Eagles is senior Tyler Golden (Tyrone, Pa/Tyrone) and incoming freshman Brandon Renoll (Hanover, Pa./Hanover).

Golden is coming off an injury last season and only worked 15 total innings last year. Despite his low innings, he still managed 16 strikeouts.

“Golden is looking stronger than ever and should have a number of wins for us this season,” said Stover.

Renoll, a 6-foot freshman that has a live arm, will get a number of key starts for Lock Haven this season.

In the bullpen, the Bald Eagles look talented with returner Zach Rote (Swissdale, Pa./Central Mountain) leading the way.

Stover feels that Rote looks better that ever and plans for him to log a number of innings this year. A finesse pitcher, Rote has the ability to produce a lot outs.

Newcomers Alec Jacob (Newtown, Pa./Pennsbury), Ethan Ernst (Watsontown, Pa./Bloomsburg University), Corey Hepfer (Springfield, Pa./Penn State Brandywine) will all look to make an impact.

Steven Brush (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) will assume the role as the closer. Stover feels that Brush has grown as an athlete and now has the confidence to close games out.

INFIELD

Leading the way at first base is a junior college transfer Robert Guild (Ogdensburg, N.J./Sussex County Community College). Last season at Sussex County Community College, he was an All-Conference and an All-Region selection; as he looks continue his solid defense and hard hitting at the plate for the Bald Eagles.

Leading the way at second base is Corey Fassett (Tunkhannock, Pa./Lackawanna College). Fassett a junior-college transfer is looking to make a fresh start at Lock Haven University.

His quickness, speed, and strong arm will play a key role for the Bald Eagle defense.

At shortstop is a player that Lock Haven is excited to have back after his injury last season. Cody Young (Bellefonte, Pa./Bellsfonte) is a solid all-around athlete that will get the job done in both parts of the game, defensively and offensively.

Cory Dorman (Mifflinburg, Pa./Alleghany College of Maryland) a First Team All-Conference and All-Region last season at Alleghany College of Maryland, will hold down the third base position.

At catcher the Bald Eagles have returning starter Brian Kochik (Snow Shoe, Pa/Bald Eagle Area) leading the way.

Stover feels that Kochik is in the best shape of his career. Kochik's hard work in the off season along with his senior experience, Kochik plans to be a threat in all aspects of his game.

Kochik hit .314 last season, while leading the team in doubles, and knocking in 31 RBIs.

Kevin Cressman (Huntingdon, Pa./Mansfield University) a redshirt junior will give Lock Haven another very capable player behind the plate this season.

Ryan Watkins (Beech Creek, Pa./Central Mountain), Jordan Miller (Mill Hall, Pa./Central Mountain), and Josh Jones (Neelyton, Pa. Southern Huntingdon) are all freshmen that will add depth for the Bald Eagles in the infield.

OUTFIELD

Leading the way in the outfield is redshirt senior Matt MaCamly (Philipsburg, Pa./Philipsburg-Osceola). McCamley, the Bald Eagles right fielder was second in batting average from a year ago.

McCamley is a returning All-PSAC West Second Team selection and All-Atlantic Region player that will provide experience and leadership for the Bald Eagles. McCamley will bring a solid bat throughout the season and a powerful arm in right field.

Last year McCamley hit .370 with team-high 53 RBIs. His eight home runs were a team-high and he also added nine doubles. His .637 slugging-percentage also led the team.

McCamley's 53 RBIs were a LHU single-season record and his eight home runs are tied for the sixth-best in school history for a single season.

Coach Stover says that McCamley is the real deal and he has been working hard to take his baseball career to the next level.

Dean Pettinato (Clarks Summit, Pa./Abinton Heights) will be Lock Haven's left fielder. Pettinato is a senior that will provide power in the batting order. Last season, Pettinato had 10 hits and four of them where homeruns for the Bald Eagles.

In center field, the Bald Eagles have hometown standout Scott Zuback (Mill Hall, Pa/Central Mountain).

Stover strongly believes that Zuback is really buying into the program and that his speed and contact ability at the plate will provide the spark that is needed for the Bald Eagles lineup.

Tyler Carns (Carlisle, Pa./Big Spring), Dakota Roofs (Towanda, Pa/Towanda), and Tyler Taylor (Delta, Pa./Red Lion) are all freshmen that will see some valuable playing time in the outfield for Lock Haven.

The Bald Eagles kick off the season tomorrow night at 6 p.m. when they take on No. 5 Kutztown University at the Builder Invitational hosted by the Apprentice School.

Following this weekend's tournament, the Bald Eagles will be off until they make their annual flight south for spring break. Starting on March 6, LHU will play eight games in the Sunshine State.

Lock Haven opens PSAC West play on Friday, March 18 at home vs. IUP.