NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – Arlan Freeman, who recently served as an assistant coach at the Stevens Institute of Technology, has been named head baseball coach at the State University of New York at New Paltz, as announced Monday by the Department of Athletics, Wellness & Recreation.

"We had very qualified candidates for this position but Arlan's energy and effectiveness as a pitching coach gave him an edge over the other applicants," stated Director of Athletics, Wellness & Recreation Stuart Robinson. "It's never easy to start mid-year but his ability to connect with the players and start this transition made him a strong pick to lead the New Paltz program."

During his four years at Stevens, Freeman helped the Ducks to one of their best seasons in 2014 where the team finished with a school-record 2.34 earned run average (ERA) and ranked first in the nation in overall strikeouts per staff (371). The Ducks were also ranked nationally in strikeouts per nine innings (9.6), hits allowed per nine innings (7.21), ERA (2.27), strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.29), shutouts (five), stolen bases (113) and stolen bases per game (2.57).

Prior to his tenure at Stevens, Freeman served as the pitching coach at Felician University in 2013, where the pitching staff recorded 400 strikeouts in 463 innings. Freeman also mentored six hurlers who posted sub-4.00 ERAs in at least 12 appearances.

"I am excited and honored to become the next head baseball coach at New Paltz," said Freeman. "After visiting campus and meeting the people at the College, I felt this would be a great place for me to work with first-class student-athletes and be a part of a thriving athletics department.

"There is a solid foundation for baseball at New Paltz and I look forward to maintaining and pushing the student-athletes to new levels," continued Freeman. "We will play the game with honor, integrity, character and discipline and always strive to compete on every pitch."

Freeman earned his Master's in sports management from Barry University in 2011 where he served as the pitching coach for the Buccaneers from 2008-11, helping lead the team to two Sunshine State Conference titles before serving as the assistant at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla. from 2011-12.

Freeman earned his Bachelors of Science in physical education and health K-12 from Plymouth State University in 2001.