As the 1st pitch was thrown in the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League today (May 18th) between the Saint John Alpines and Charlottetown Islanders the hometown Royals were making final preparations for their season debut this coming Friday night, May 24th. At the conclusion of a 3 hour workout at Fredericton’s Thompson field the coaching staff announced the Royals 4 man rotation coming out training camp.
Royals enter the season with a deep bullpen of proven senior pitching and will look to improve upon last years inconsistency on the mound. Pitching was a strength during the Royal run of 5 Championships in a row and this version of the Royals appear to have the potential to emerge as one of those dominant staffs.
The Power throwing 4 are anchored by hard throwing Pitcher of the Year Dan Murphy (3-1, 2.51 with 34 K’s in 39 IP in 2012) who will face the Hub City Brewers at home on Friday. Earning the nod in Game 2 in Moncton Sunday afternoon for the Mets home opener is 2012 Royals Rookie of the Year Troy Bishop (3-1, 1 sv, 4.20 in 26 IP). Game 3 starter – making his return to the Royals to face his 2012 teammates is arguably the greatest player in Senior baseball history Derek Wilson (6-3, 2.66 with 56 K’s in 58 IP). Wilson will face the Ironmen on the road in Chatham before the team heads home for their 2nd Friday Night game May 31st. Toeing the pitching slab in Game 4, facing the Saint John Alpines will be veteran leader and sinker ball specialist Jake Waugh (2-1, 2.63). Waugh remains as the Royals most versatile pitcher and may also work out of the bullpen.
Game 1 — Dan Murphy
Game 2 — Troy Bishop
Game 3 — Derek Wilson
Game 4 — Jake Waugh
Bullpen: Jay Magee, Stevie McCarty, Cody Wiggins, Joel Arbeau, Phil Merrill