March 8, 2002

TODAY'S GAME: Stony Brook entertains Central Connecticut in its home opener this afternoon. Senior Anthony Stutz and freshman Jonathan Lewis are scheduled to start in games 1 and 2, respectively.

ABOUT THE SEAWOLVES: Stony Brook is off to a solid start, although its 1-2 record may not indicate it. Stony Brook travelled to Towson and Campbell last weekend. The Seawolves received great pitching from Anthony Stutz, Kevin Willi and Jonathan Lewis. What was expected to be the achilles heel this season - at least early on - has proved to be a strength. The Seawolves got a three-hitter from Willi in the team's 5-1 victory over Campbell. In his first collegiate start, Stutz went five innings, allowing four hits and three runs in a one-run loss to Towson. Lewis, also in his first collegiate start, struck out eight batters in 5 2/3 innings work against Campbell.

ABOUT THE BLUE DEVILS : Central Connecticut is off to a 2-3 start, losing three straight to Mercer before bombing Maryland-Eastern Shore in a pair of games. Senior catcher Chip Rourke is off and running at the plate, going 8-for-17 (.470) with five RBI and a pair of runs scored. Junior Nick Macellaro is tied for the team in RBI with five.

DE JA WILLI: Senior pitcher Kevin Willi has started his senior season much the way he started his junior season. Last year, Willi registered wins in two of the team's first three victories. His performance against Campbell - complete-game, three-hitter, five strikeouts - was reminiscent of his start in 2000.

GREAT DEBUTS: Stony Brook's top recruits coming into this season included outfielder Andrew Larsen and pitcher Jonathan Lewis. Larsen hit a two-run homerun in his second collegiate at-bat and Lewis struck out eight Campbell batters and allowed just one run in 5 2/3 innings work.

SEAWOLVES PICKED SECOND IN AMERICA EAST: Coming off a 35-16 season in 2001, Stony Brook has been picked to finish second in the conference by Baseball America. The Seawolves are picked just behind Maine in the seven-team rankings. Here's how the teams rank with 2001 records:

1). Maine (36-15) 2). Stony Brook (35-16) 3). Vermont (23-22) 4). Northeastern (19-32) 5). Albany (15-32) 6). Hartford (14-35) 7). Binghamton (19-26)

PIG PEN'S AT IT AGAIN: Affectionately known as pig pen for his hard work to get down in the dirt and make plays, junior Rich Graham is at it again. The surprise of last year's team, Graham hit .371 with 30 RBI as the team's third baseman. Now manning second base, Graham is hitting .444 with a double and is perfect in three chances in the field.

TAORMINA TO THE RESCUE: Junior Mark Taormina has been quite a catalyst already as the team's right fielder. He currently leads the team in RBI with three and is 3-for-8 from the plate.

BRINGING 'EM HOME: The Seawolves have had great pitching and have had litle trouble getting men on. The problem has been bringing the runnershome. Thus far, they've stranded 27 runners on base in three games.