SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The American International College baseball team will open the 2013 season with its annual ten-game spring break trip to Florida March 9-15.

The Yellow Jackets posted an overall record of 17-27-1 in 2012 with what was overall a young team, and are hoping those experiences will lead to more victories this season.

INFIELD: Sophomore Mike Coyne (El Cajon, Calif.) returns at first base after appearing in 27 games as a freshman, batting .300 with 21 hits, 11 runs and six RBI. Classmate Lucas Vallas (East Northport, N.Y.) could also see playing time at first when not slotted in as the designated hitter. He batted .275 as a freshman with 39 hits, 14 doubles, 22 RBI and 14 runs scored. Junior Cam MacDonald () returns at second base after starting all 37 games he played there last season, batting. 274 with 32 hits, 21 runs scored and 15 driven in. Freshmen Brett Bohl (Ludlow, Mass.), Tyler Geffert (Hopedale, Mass.), Zach Kane (New London, Conn.) and Eddie Ritch (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) will compete for the starting jobs at short and at third base.

CATCHER: Junior Dan Fenton (Agawam, Mass.) and will once again handle the work behind the plate this season. He started in a 29 of his 27 games played last season, but struggles at the plate with a .151 average. Coyne will see the bulk of the action at catcher when Fenton isn't playing. Vallas and freshman Kevin Wnukowski (Douglas, Mass.) could also see time behind the plate.

OUTFIELD: Junior Dave Clark (West Springfield, Mass.) was named a third-team all-conference selection last season after batting a team-best .349 with 58 hits, 10 doubles, five homers, 26 RBI and 36 runs scored. He started in 42 of his 44 games played last season, and will play primarily in left field this year. Senior Chris Amate (Hanover, Mass.) will move to center field this season after starting of his 38 games played shortstop last season, in which he batted .220 with 31 hits, nine doubles, 24 runs scored and 19 RBI. Junior Dan Asselin (Chicopee, Mass.) will look to start in right after starting in 32 of his 34 games last season, batting .254 with 30 hits and 21 runs scored. Sophomore David Kerlejza (Unionville, Conn.) will also push for time in the outfield after making 13 appearances last season, as will freshmen Jason Coscio (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) and Aiden Farrell (Mansfield, Mass.). Sophomore Andy Cherico (Rehoboth, Mass.) and freshman A.J. Hall (Millville, Mass.) could also see playing time in the outfield.

STARTING PITCHERS: Sophomore Ryan Acevedo (Temecula, Calif.) was named to the NE-10 All-Rookie Team a after going 3-3 with a team-best 2.82 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 51 innings of work. Junior Matt Lee (Stratford, Conn.) was much better than his 1-6 record showed last season. He tossed a five-hit complete game shutout against Assumption and allowed three earned runs or less five times. Kerlejza was 4-1 in his six starts last season. Junior Daniel Guerrero (Elizabeth, N.J.) and freshmen Derek Azzopardi (Redwood City, Calif.) and Harrison Paige (Springfield, Mass.) will battle for the starts at the bottom of the rotation.

RELIEVERS: Senior Geoff McCowat (Sterling, Va.) will fill the role of closer after posting a 2.35 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 23 innings last season, while senior Tim Bailey (Chicopee, Mass.), MacDoanld and sophomore Steve Pino (Putnam Valley, Conn.) will be relied on to get through the seventh and eighth innings. Pino had one save with a 3.08 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 26.1 innings, while Bailey was 3-2 with one save, a 4.50 ERA with 17 Ks in 24 innings. MacDonald had a 4.54 ERA in 37.2 innings of work. Sophomore Spencer Prusack (Woodsburgh, N.Y.) will be the team's primary long reliever after going 1-0 in his nine appearances as a freshman. Asselin, sophomore Mike Nallan (Putnam Valley Conn.), and freshmen Matt Elia (Hamden, Conn.), Brian Karp (Bellmore, N.Y.), Jeff Kraucunas (Enfield, Conn.), Jordan Page (South Hadley, Mass.) and Colin Sledzik (Higganum, Conn.) will also look for time out of the pen.