Comet Baseball Preview: Pitching Key To Solon's Success

After a short exhibition season and a trip to Myrtle Beach, the Solon baseball team is ready to begin the meat of their schedule.

The team takes on Stow at home at 4:30 p.m. today. The team plays its home games at Solon Community Park.

The Comets went 2-1 in South Carolina behind strong pitching and solid defense.

Head Coach Damien Kopkas said that he expects pitching to carry the team as the hitters find their swing.

Here's what you need to know to get ready for some Solon baseball:

1. Matt Smoral leads a diverse pitching staff:

The leader of the Comet pitching staff is Matt Smoral, a 6-foot, 8-inch-tall, 230-pound southpaw who can hit 95 mph with his fastball and also has great off-speed stuff, said Coach Damien Kopkas.

"He’s going to come out and he’s going to dominate games," Kopkas said.

The other key pitchers for the Comets will be senior Danny Sutyak and senior Nate Schechter. Kopkas said that Sutyak has great control. He can hit the 80s with his fastball, throws a solid change-up a pitcher who won't walk batters.

Schechter is similar to Sutyak, but he's a lefty, which is an advantage when facing the conference's left-handed hitters, Kopkas said.

Rounding out the pitchers is senior Drew Stankiewicz, who will fill the closer role and serve as a spot starter as needed.

"He’s got the mentality of a closer and the durability of a closer," Kopkas said, adding that Stankiewicz has increased the velocity on his pitching and has a solid curve ball.

2. Top of the order is key.

The lead-off and second batters getting on base will determine how successful the Comet offense is this season, Kopkas said.

Luckily for the Comets, both those hitters are back this season. Jesse Circelli and Chris D'Amato, both seniors, will also play in the outfield.

Kopkas said D'Amato and Circelli both have good on-base percentage, which will key to allow the Comets to get their running game going with bunts and base stealing.

Those hitters will be the table-setter for the clean-up batter Michael Dunn.

"If they can work that on-base percentage up to .400 and above, we’re going to be successful," Kopkas said.

Kopkas also expects good things behind the plate from Jesse Keckler, who will play third base and designated hitter for the Comets.

"I feel confident in our lineup, one through nine," he said.

3. One goal at a time

The mental key to the season will be working on improving incrementally and not letting big-picture goals derail regular progress, Kopkas said.

"We have a tendancy to look too far ahead," he said. "I just want to focus on setting achievable goals and do something every day to achieve those goals. I think all of that other stuff will take care of itself."