''As the beginning of the 2013 season has arrived, the Chatham Anglers are in search of their first Cape Cod League championship since 1998. They'll look to build on the success of last year's playoff appearance. Angler players reported to practice on June 5th, and have been working hard to get ready for the season opener at Wareham.
This will be a season of new faces for the Anglers, as only left-handed pitcher
Jimmy Litchfield (UC Irvine) and infielder
Dante Flores (Southern California) will return from last year's team.. The team will start the season without five of their players, including infielder
Landon Lassiter (North Carolina), and right-handed pitcher
Kyle Funkhouser (Louisville).
Dante Flores (USC) is returning for his second
summer in Chatham
Pitching should be a strength for the Anglers. Funkhouser had an impressive 2.24 ERA in 52.1 innings pitched this season for the Cardinals. He dominated batters in 2013, holding them to a .214 average. Louisville recently earned their spot in the College World Series, so Funkhousers Angler debut will have to be put on hold. Left-handed pitcher
Cody Ege (Louisville) will also eventually contribute to the Anglers pitching staff. Ege posted a 1.19 ERA in 36 relief appearances for the Cardinals, striking out 46 and only allowing four earned runs.
Looking to anchor the pitching staff immediately is left-handed pitcher
Andrew McGee (Monmouth). Mcgee was named 2013 Pitcher of the Year for the Northeast Conference (NEC) after posting a 2.12 ERA, seven complete games, two shutouts, and 69 strikeouts for the Hawks.
With regard to hitting, the Anglers look to be pretty set as well. Lassiter will look to lead the offense, depending on when the Tar Heels season ends. During his freshman season, he hit .359 in a tough Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), collecting 27 RBI and scoring 73 runs. First-baseman
J.D. Davis (Cal State Fullerton), who batted .318 with four home runs and 50 RBI for the Titans in 2013, will also hope add to the Angler offense.
Despite playing for a Division II private university in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC), first-baseman and outfielder
Sheehan Planas-Arteaga (Barry) will look to make an impact for the Anglers. In his sophomore season, he started all 50 games, hit an impressive .367, hit three home runs, and drove in 36 RBI.
The Anglers will start the season at Wareham on June 12, then will head to Veterans field for the home opener against Falmouth on June 13. Check out the
schedule page for a list of all the games. Remember, you can listen or watch all of the broadcasts courtesy of
TRZ Teamline .