JOHNSTOWN – The "Fall Ball" season has ended, and last week a foot of snow fell on the Raiders' ballyard, but the FM baseball team is still active and staying in shape. Candidates for the 2015 Raiders squad are working out often in the Fitness Center.

The 2014 team was the most successful Raider Nine in recent years. In fact, the team qualified for postseason play for the first time in 18 seasons. Now, Head Coach Dave Hennessey's new team is aiming to compete in the postseason again in 2015.

The team had 23 candidates in the fall semester. Assistant Baseball Coach Scott Mastroianni reported that a few more ballplayers are expected to enroll for the spring term.

Once the spring semester starts, the team will begin practicing in the large gym, taking infield practice, pitching off the indoor mounds, and utilizing the batting cage and several other specialized batting stations. Then, during the spring break, the team will head south for their annual trip to Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.

Photo:  Infielder Kris Maksuti and catcher Andrew Houser

The spring schedule has not yet been finalized, but if the weather cooperates, in late March a Raider pitcher will step onto the Raiders Field mound, the umpire will call "Play Ball!" and the season will be under way.

                 C.J. Bonny, website writer

Christian Maldonado

Chris Rockefeller

Kirief Collins

Brian De los Santos

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