3/29/03 - KFS AP
Hope springs eternal in New Haven and Gore St for 2003, as both clubs 
look to make the jump to the top half of the NECBL2 standings.  Strong 
drafts from both teams may be the first step in doing just that, and 
in week one we will find out who gets the initial upper hand in the 
chase.  Coach Micah Shook has added a lineup packed with versatile 
run-scorers to his army of mound stars to create what many in NECBL2 
think will be the most improved team this season.  Carlos Beltran, 
Gore St's first pick of the draft, and 2002 Rookie of the Year Eric 
Hinske lead the new wave of Nine along with sparkplugs David Ecsktein, 
Darin Erstad, and Juan Encarnacion.  In the opposite dugout, and fresh 
out of the moving vans from Surry, the New Haven T-Cones bring perhaps 
the best infield in the league into the mix along with the usual 
boatload of closers as Coach Stanley expects to win many close games 
this year with pitching and defense.  Jeff Kent and Edgardo Alfonzo 
join Derek Jeter and Rafael Palmeiro could combine for over 400 RBIs 
around the horn, and the Cones are capable of putting up big scores 
every week as the potential for save after save always looms large.  
This season, Stanley has recruited John Smoltz, Robb Nen, Oogie 
Urbina, and Keith Foulke to be featured in the pen.  Gore St catches 
a break this week however, as Mariano Rivera will be sidelined for 
the series and possibly longer for New Haven.