A mere 60 feet and six inches stand between the Harvard pitcher and his adversary in the batter’s box. The distance between this year’s Crimson staff and the championship rotation of 2002 is far greater-on paper at least.

Last June, the Colorado Rockies selected staff ace Ben Crocket ‘03 in the third round of the annual Amateur Baseball Draft, and key contributors Chaney Sheffield ‘02 and Justin Nyweide ‘02 graduated.

During the offseason, would-be-junior Marc Hordon fell victim to season-ending shoulder injury that forced him to temporarily withdraw from Harvard to maintain full eligibility.

Not a single returning starting pitcher won more than one game last season. So who comprises this new-look collection of arms?

With 19 pitchers on its roster, Harvard coach Joe Walsh’s staff will not suffer for lack of numbers. But are there any stars?

Mike Morgalis, a sophomore transfer from Notre Dame, will look to anchor the 2003 staff. Before the season began, Morgalis was projected to be the Crimson’s most consistent and talented hurler.

“Morgalis is the type of guy that you come to a ballpark and everybody’ll [want to] know his name. They’re going to be saying, ‘Who’s that kid?’” said Walsh of Morgalis back in February.

Morgalis (1-1) is off to a rocky start this year, posting a 6.97 ERA through his first four appearances.  But he picked up his first victory in last week’s Ivy opener against Penn, and is hoping the league season will “help him get in the groove.”  His teammates think it should.

“Morgalis is looking very good. He kept us in the game with [No. 13] Miami and has excellent mound presence,” says freshman pitcher Matt Brunnig.

While Morgalis adjusts to flame throwing on the East Coast, junior Trey Hendricks seems to have already found his niche.  Hendricks, who doubles as the team’s offensive juggernaut and first-baseman, has been Harvard’s most prolific force on the mound, leading the team in innings pitched (29) and ERA (2.79).  

“I always thought of Trey more as a first baseman, but he really surprised me with his pitching performances,” Brunnig says. “He should keep us in every game he pitches.”

Brunnig, himself, has proven to give Harvard another force on the hill. Standing at 6’7-and with the rare ability to pitch with both arms, Brunnig will be sure to strike fear into the hearts of Ivy League batters, despite his first-year status.

“I think by the time Matt Brunnig finishes his four year career here, he’ll be a well-known New England name,” Walsh says. “He’s got a nasty slider, and he’s a strike thrower. His size is deceiving, and with innings his velocity, 85-plus with either arm, will climb.”

Brunnig (2-0) leads the team in wins a third of the way through the 2003 campaign and still describes his transition from high school to college ball as “challenging.”

“The main difference is that mistakes are hit more often, and pitch selection is better on the hitters’ parts,” Brunnig says. “The long ball is a much larger part of the game as well.”