Zukowski hopeful for continued progress at Classical

Spring forward, fall back, runs the Daylight Savings Time maxim, and Lynn Classical baseball coach Mike Zukowski hopes his Rams will continue to spring forward.Two years ago, Classical finished 5-15 in Zukowski’s rookie season as Classical head coach. The 2009 Rams won two more games to post a 7-13 record.”I want to build on that,” Zukowski said. “We have talent.”Click here for a photo gallery.This year’s Rams also have experience, starting with senior co-captains Ellido Reyes and Tyler Gauthier, who both headlined Zukowski’s list of key returning players. Reyes will start at third base for the third year (a position he is “solid” at, his coach said), while Gauthier will pitch and play first base. Last season, Gauthier played first, but a shoulder injury prevented him from pitching.Gauthier is one of five returning varsity pitchers. Rounding out the list are classmates Ryan Powers (who is also a shortstop), Justin Hart (a reliever), junior Greg Rybak (a “very valuable” utilityman when not on the mound, his coach said) and sophomore Kyle Gauthier (who plays second and short as well, and is Tyler’s brother).With so much depth at the position, Zukowski characterized it as a strength of his team. He characterized Tyler Gauthier as a power pitcher, whereas Rybak, Powers and Kyle Gauthier have a style that is more “ground ball, pop fly, let’s-get-the-outs, keep-our-fielders-in-the-game,” Zukowski said.Of his pitchers’ velocity, the coach said, “I can’t tell you how fast, but they throw pretty hard.” However, he reminded, “It’s not about how hard you throw.”Catcher Eddie Terrero, who is also a returning senior, will set up behind the plate for the pitching staff, while fellow veteran classmate Terry Finnigan will vie for the position of second base.Hitting-wise, Zukowski liked what he saw from Tech transfer Wilfredo Feliz at practice on Tuesday. (The coach is unsure what position Feliz will play.) Terrero and Tyler Gauthier will probably bat in the middle of the order, while “Reyes will have to play a big role at the plate for us,” his coach said. Terrero and Rybak each have some power, with both players hitting several home runs for the Rams last season.Zukowski does need to fill his outfield spots, as the previous season’s edition – Mike Gallo in left, Brian Kolodziej in center, and Wilson Mercado in right – have all graduated.”It’s kind of up in the air right now,” the coach said. “It’s still really between a handful of guys.”He will have just under a month to make personnel decisions, as the Rams start their season on April 14 in a non-leaguer with Georgetown. The Rams and Royals have played the last two seasons. Two days later, Classical opens Northeastern Conference play against Peabody.If the coach is looking for signs of progress, the weather can serve as a metaphor. Monday’s rain kept the Rams indoors all day, but on Tuesday the clouds departed enough for the team to practice outside, albeit in a parking lot.”The dirt’s still a little muddy,” Zukowski said. “The cement was fine.” Referring to the conditions, he added, “You don’t need too much to throw a ball.”About 65 players came out on Monday and Tuesday to do just that. The Rams have 22 freshmen on the team (one of them, Kyle Devin, drew praise from the coach) and just under 20 sophomores.The coaching staff includes varsity assistant Jeff Waldron (who is also the manager of the North Shore Navigators), JV coach D.J. McNulty and freshman coach Wayne Marabito.Zukowski’s expectations, he said, are “to compete. To be in every single game. I told them, ‘We’ve got to practice hard, every day.’ We set short-term goals. Our number-one goal is to get 10 wins and a tournament (spot).”