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| Owen Petrich will be the Hawks’ main offensive threat. | PHOTO: Rafael Suanes |
The pitching staff, in particular, represents a major question mark. With only 25 2/3 innings returning from last season, the Hawks are in the rare position of having an almost entirely new pitching staff. “It’s going to be a matter of finding out who can manage five innings and who can’t,” Hamburg said. “Our goal will be to maximize as much as we can to get through a weekend series.”
To address this need, Hamburg has brought in a trio of transfers to anchor the rotation. Junior left-hander Colton Book, a transfer from Stony Brook and former America East All-Rookie selection, will step into a weekend starter role alongside Justin Sweeney, a righty transfer from Rutgers. The Hawks also welcome fifth-year lefty Nathan Stein, a First Team All-MAC Commonwealth honoree from Messiah University. Stein dominated last season, holding opponents to a .218 batting average, and could play a pivotal role in solidifying the Hawks’ pitching depth.
Despite these new additions, the loss of key pitchers remains a significant blow. Matt McShane (13th round, Pirates) and Luke Gabrysh (15th round, Phillies) were both drafted, while standout right-hander Will McCausland transferred to Ole Miss in the offseason. The departures leave the Hawks without some of their most reliable arms from last year, making it all the more critical that the new staff rise to the occasion.
Offensively, the Hawks face their own set of challenges. The departure of junior third baseman Ryan Weingartner, who transferred to Penn State, leaves a substantial hole. Weingartner, a first-team All-Atlantic 10 selection, was a consistent force in the lineup, hitting .319 with 25 home runs and 59 walks over two seasons. The Hawks will miss both his power and his leadership.
Junior infielder Owen Petrich is back after leading the team in batting average (.317), RBIs (60), and hits (73) last season. Hamburg will rely heavily on Petrich to anchor the lineup. Sophomore Tim Dickinson, who hit .305 with a .422 on-base percentage and swiped 16 bags last year, will also be key. “His aggressiveness is really beneficial to us,” Hamburg said of Dickinson, who figures to be a dynamic force once again.
Then there’s freshman outfielder Alex Kelsey, a name to watch. The Reading native has impressed with his power, speed, and versatility, and Hamburg sees him as a potential game-changer. “He’s a very talented player. He can hit for power, has speed, can bunt, and he’s pretty dynamic. He also has a great mindset, so he’s a big one to watch,” Hamburg said. Kelsey is expected to start in center field and should be a fixture at the top of the lineup.
While the Hawks have talent, there’s no question that their success in 2025 hinges on how quickly the new pitching staff gels and how well the offense adjusts without Weingartner. “From a returning experience standpoint, we are limited that way,” Hamburg admitted. “But that just means there’s a lot of opportunity for our guys to step up.”
For the Hawks, this season is all about adaptation—filling gaps, finding new leaders, and responding to the challenges of a tough Atlantic 10 slate. But with Hamburg at the helm, they know they’ll be ready for whatever comes their way.
“It’s about how we respond,” Hamburg said.
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