By John McGraw
for D3baseball.com

Ithaca head coach George Valesente was back in the D-III World Series in 2013 after a 19-year absence. Ithaca athletics photo

For the first time since 1994, Ithaca represented the New York Region at the World Series in 2013. The Bombers made up for lost time and fell just a few wins shy of their third national championship, ultimately losing to national runner-up Southern Maine in the national semifinals. Ithaca and rival Cortland State, located less than 30 miles away, have combined to make 22 appearances in the World Series dating to 1976.

• 2014 preseason All-Americans
• 2014 preseason Top 25
• Regional sites announced

Cortland State and Ithaca are among the favorites again this year to represent the New York Region in the hunt for the Walnut and Bronze. The Bombers and the Red Dragons are the only two teams ranked from the region in D3baseball.com’s preseason poll. Challenges to the top will come from elsewhere around the Empire State come from familiar faces in St. John Fisher and Farmingdale State. St. John Fisher missed the NCAA tournament in 2012 but made serious noise at the Marietta Regional in 2012. Farmingdale State has become a usual suspect at the New York Regional playoffs out of the Skyline Conference.

The Rams are in search of their seventh consecutive trip to the regionals; Farmingdale advanced to the World Series in 2009. The Liberty League champion could be any number of teams, though favorites to fight on to Auburn’s Falcon Park, site of this year’s regional, include Capital District travel partners RPI and Union. RPI fell just one win short of going to the World Series in both 2008 and 2009; the Engineers made it back to the regionals last spring. Union claimed the Liberty championship last year and could make the next step this season.

For the first-time ever, the CUNYAC will also have a say in World Series proceedings. The CUNYAC tournament champion will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. This may take away a potential at-large selection from anyone in Pool B, including the Empire 8, a Pool B conference with just five teams and two potential postseason nines in Ithaca and St John Fisher.

New Faces

Matt Righter has the Hawks thinking about the SUNYAC postseason tournament. New Paltz athletics photo

Matt Righter, New Paltz State – Matt Righter has traded in one set of wings for another. Righter, a former all-conference pitcher and assistant coach with the Blue Jays of Johns Hopkins, is the newest coach of the New Paltz Hawks. Righter inherits a New Paltz team that finished second in the SUNYAC last year behind conference powerhouse Cortland. Righter spent the last five years as an assistant coach at Johns Hopkins where he helped guide the Blue Jays to 161 victories, four NCAA tournament appearances, three Centennial Conference championships and the 2010 NCAA Division III World Series. The Johns Hopkins graduate was a 21st round selection of the Detroit Tigers in the 2004 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He pitched for five seasons in the Detroit farm system and advanced as high as Triple-A Toledo in 2008. 

Rick Ferchen, Keuka - Veteran collegiate head coach Rick Ferchen takes over a much improved Keuka squad which posted a 10-win improvement from 2012 to 2013. Ferchen brings an impressive overall resume to Keuka Park which includes 715 coaching victories over a 30-year head coaching career which has included stops at Hobart, Oneonta State and Division I Valparaiso. He was a two-time SUNYAC Coach of the Year at Oneonta State and helmed the Red Dragons to 400 victories and 13 conference tournaments between 1995 and 2011. In 2010, Ferchen guided Oneonta to a 31-win season and its first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament. Entering the 2013 season, Ferchen ranked 18th among NCAA Division III coaches in career victories.

Joe Milazzo, Utica – The 2014 season will mark Joe Milazzo’s 34th year as a baseball coach. Utica signed on Milazzo last July to take over the Pioneers after a tumultuous 2013 season for the Pioneers on and off the field. Milazzo has 33 years of baseball coaching experience which have included head coaching stops at Utica’s Notre Dame High School (1981-1989), Herkimer County Community College (1990) and Mohawk Valley Community College (1991-2002). Most recently, the two-time NJCAA Northeast Coach of the Year was the head softball coach at MVCC. Outside of the coaching ranks, Milazzo spent nearly 10 years as an administrator with the short-season Class A New York-Penn League.

Corey Paluga, Elmira - The Elmira baseball team will not begin play until the 2015 season. The Soaring Eagles will be the sixth baseball-playing member of the Empire 8, joining Ithaca, St. John Fisher, Stevens, Utica and Houghton. Paluga already has Empire 8 experience under his belt; he spent four years as an assistant coach at Stevens. The Ducks won at least 23 games in each of his final two seasons in Hoboken. Paluga played collegiately at Lynchburg College and went on to be an assistant coach for the Hornets. His first head coaching job came in 2010 with the Valley League’s New Market Rebels. New Market made the VBL playoffs in each of Paluga’s two seasons as the skipper.

Richard Garrett, St. Joseph’s (L.I.) – Less than one month ago and just over one month prior to the start of the 2014 season, St. Joseph’s (L.I.) tapped Richard Garrett as its new skipper. Garrett, entering his first collegiate head coaching job, was previously the head baseball coach at Saint Dominic’s High School in Oyster Bay, Long Island for 17 years. Four of Garrett’s former Bayhawks went on to be selected in the Major League Baseball entry draft including Kyle Hansen, a sixth-round pick of the Chicago White Sox in 2012.

Adam Taraska, Purchase – Taraska became just the second head baseball coach in Purchase history when he was promoted to skipper following the resignation of former coach Bill Guerrero last fall. As an assistant coach with the Panthers last season, he helped lead the team to a school record 23 victories. Taraska, who played collegiately at Division II Bridgeport, is entering his third season at Purchase. He worked as a Division I assistant at both Fairfield and Iona of the MAAC and has been a head coach with the well-regarded Connecticut Blue Jays travel program.

City University of New York Athletic Conference

The stakes just got higher in the City University of New York Athletic Conference where for the first in the over 30-year history of the conference, the conference tournament champion will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The CUNYAC consists of seven baseball-playing members which include defending league champion Staten Island, Baruch, Lehman, John Jay, CCNY and affiliate members Stevens and Yeshiva. Stevens (Empire 8) and Yeshiva (Skyline) are both members of other conferences however each team will also play a full slate of CUNYAC games and will be eligible for the league’s postseason berth; much like the University of Rochester playing as a member of both the Liberty League and the University Athletic Association.

The College of Staten Island claimed its 16th CUNYAC title last year and the Dolphins have won three of the last four conference tournament crowns. The Dolphins capped off a 30-12 campaign in 2013 with a 1-0 victory over 2012 CUNYAC champion Baruch in a winner-take-all title tilt.  The conference title picture has been dominated by last years’ league finalists, Baruch and Staten Island have combined to win the last six league titles. On paper, the Bearcats and Dolphins are among the favorites to become the CUNYAC’s first NCAA tournament representative in baseball along with affiliate member Stevens.

Stevens went 11-1 against CUNYAC opponents last year with a lone loss against Staten Island in a split doubleheader. With 22 returning players, the Ducks are most certainly capable of crashing the Baruch-CSI party at the top of the league standings.

Nicholas Pomo-Roman earned 2014 D3baseball.com Preseason All-American honors at shortstop. Baruch athletics photo

The slight edge amongst the Bearcats and Dolphins as the snow melts goes to Baruch who returns 12 of 18 players from last including its top four hitters. Last year’s 20-win Baruch club included eight freshmen however this year’s opening day line-up could feature as many as six returning players. Offensively, the Bearcats boast 2014 D3baseball.com Preseason All-America selection Nicholas Pomo-Roman (.423, 60 H, 45 R, 22 RBI, 23 SB, .506 OBP), 2013 CUNYAC Rookie of the Year Jasdeep Butler (.354, 57 H, 16 DBL, 25 RBI, 28 R) as well as all-conference outfielders Angel Tejada (.336, 46 H, 38 RBI, .504 SLG) and John Yuksekol (.308, 30 RBI, 41 H, 31 R, 16 SB). While Baruch compiled a 4.69 team earned run average last spring, pitching may be the strong point in 2014 with a more experienced staff that includes three returning starters in Paul Perez (7-4, 4.09 ERA, 72.2 IP, 8 CG, 35 K), Andrew Lizardi (4-5, 3.02 ERA, 10 GS, 59.2 IP, 42 K) and Connor Henson (2-1, 3.05 ERA, 41.1 IP, 22 K). The most intriguing arm in the Baruch starting rotation may be transfer Zachary Uher (Stony Brook). Uher, a 6-foot-4 southpaw, was part of Stony Brook’s 2012 College World Series participant team. The Long Island native made 11 appearances for the Seawolves between 2011 and 2012.

Staten Island enters 2014 coming off of its second 30-win season in school history. The graduation losses are heavy for the Dolphins who lost CUNYAC Pitcher of the Year and CUNYAC Tournament MVP Richard Anderson (9-2, 2.09 ERA, 86.0 IP, 11 GS, 9 CG, 62 K), all-conference catcher Bryan Moreno (.374, 55 H, 48 R, 26 RBI, 24 SB, .466 OBP), outfielder Daniel Lynch (24 SB) and infielder Robert Bernardo (.291, 39 H, 29 R, 31 RBI, 12 HBP, .411 OBP). Lynch and Moreno combined for 48 of CSI’s 130 stolen bases in 2013; the Dolphins ranked fifth nationally with 2.98 steals per game. The offensive onus will be placed on D3baseball.com All-Region selection Chris Ramanauskas (.406, 58 H, 42 R, 14 DBL, 36 RBI, 24 BB, .500 OBP) and run-producing outfielder Will DiFede (.340, 43 RBI, 48 H, 31 R, 16 BB, 15 SB). Dual threat Division II transfer Chris Falcone (Felician) and incoming freshman Nick DelPrete should provide a spark to the CSI line-up which will look to replicate last years’ .303 team batting average. Chris Falcone, a conference starter last spring in the CACC, and Michael Fitzpatrick (6-2, 3.00 ERA, 48.0 IP, 50 K), should top CSI’s pitching rotation which must attempt to replace Anderson’s 86.0 innings.

Elsewhere in the CUNYAC, Lehman reeled off a six-win turnaround last spring under first-year head coach Chris Viggiano. The Lightning won 16 games overall and finished just two games back of eventual league tournament runner-up Baruch. All six of Lehman’s representatives on the CUNYAC all-conference team were underclassmen. John Jay is officially known as the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. However on the baseball diamond last spring, the Bloodhounds majored in base thefts. John Jay finished second nationally with 3.97 stolen bases per game and third with 151 overall steals.

Empire 8

Justin D’Amato is one of the top pitchers in D-III baseball entering the 2014 season. St. John Fisher athletics photo

The Empire 8 was represented at the NCAA Division III World Series last spring for the first time in the 14-year history of the conference. Ithaca advanced to the World Series in Appleton, Wis., as the champions of both the Empire 8 and the Auburn, N.Y. regional. Just two years ago, the conference dropped to four members with the departure of RIT. to the Liberty League. Looking ahead, the Empire 8 will grow to six baseball-playing members in 2015 when Elmira begins varsity baseball. For 2014, five teams will vie for the league championship – Ithaca, St. John Fisher, Stevens, Utica and Houghton. All but one of the league’s 14 crowns have gone to Ithaca or St. John Fisher, the road to the league championship this season should again run through Ithaca’s South Hill or East Avenue in Pittsfield.

Defending league champion and World Series participant Ithaca has serious holes to fill with the departure of four starters which include All-Americans Tim Locastro (.436, 71 H, 71 R, 36 RBI, 27 HBP, 22 BB, 40 SB, .663 SLG, .553 OBP) and Pat Lemmo (12-2, 1.76 ERA, 15 GS, 112.1 IP, 5 CG, 71 K, 18 BB, .245 OBP). Following a stellar performance in the World Series, Locastro, a junior in 2013, was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 13th round (385th overall) of the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Head coach George Valesente, entering his 36th year as Ithaca’s head coach, still returns the balance of last year’s 41-win team that finished one victory shy of playing for the national championship. However, Locastro’s 71 hits, 70 runs and 40 stolen bases will be difficult to replace. Ithaca’s top returning offensive threats are Colby Gee (.333, 57 H, 42 RBI, 40 R, 10 HBP), Luke Stark (.326, 44 R, 21 R, 21 RBI, 20 BB), Tim Henry (.309, 51 H, 32 R, 35 RBI, 24 BB, 11 HBP, 9 SB) and Christian Brown (.300, 62 H, 49 R, 21 RBI, 16 BB, 14 SB). All of Ithaca’s returning starters batted .300 or better in 2013.

On the mound, the Bombers will miss Lemmo but should have a formidable three-man rotation in John Prendergast (10-0, 2.04 ERA, 12 app., 83.2 IP, 55 K, 12 BB), Jimmy Wagner (8-1, 7 SV, 2.71 ERA, 69.2 IP, 62 K) and Jasper Adams (7-0, 3.94 ERA, 11 app., 61.2 IP, 33 K). Prendergast will likely by Ithaca’s workhorse while flamethrower Wagner will move back into the starting rotation after providing smoke from the Bomber bullpen in last spring’s postseason; the junior opened last year as a starter. Jasper Adams should be a strong three for Ithaca; he showed great poise in shutting down both Amherst and Kean in the NCAA tournament last spring. Andrew Sanders (3-2, 3.41 ERA, 31.2 IP, 15 K) is the likely choice for the fourth starting spot while David Jasukonis (1-1, 2.20 ERA, 5 SV, 13 App, 17 K, 16.1 IP) should hold down the bullpen. The biggest question for the Bombers will be the rest of the bullpen as outside from the five players mentioned, just four returning pitchers have game experience.

Ithaca’s main competition atop the Empire 8 will come from a familiar foe in St. John Fisher. Brandon Potter’s Cardinals won 28 games last year however just missed making the NCAA tournament as an at-large selection. In four seasons as the head coach at his alma mater, Potter has accumulated a 115-50 (.697) record, two Empire 8 championships and two NCAA playoff appearances. St. John Fisher’s top six hitters from 2013 are all back – Nick Flemister (.405, 45 H, 18 R, 27 RBI), Mike Roman (.367, 36 H, 22 R, 18 RBI0, Chris Roeder (.340, 51 H, 33 R, 19 RBI, 10 SB), Brad Rush (.329, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 47 H, 37 R, 16 2B, 4 TRP), Mike Fahy (.328, 43 H, 25 R, 7 2B, 19 RBI) and Shane Barley (.327, 5 HR, 28 RBI, 35 H, 24 R, 14 BB). Like Ithaca, the Cardinals swung hot sticks in 2013 with a .315 team batting average. The biggest losses come in the outfield where three new starters will take up residence. Those in the mix to start in the SJFC outfield include 2013 NJCAA Division III Defensive Player of the Year Joe Simmons (Finger Lakes C.C.) and highly-regarded freshman Malcolm Kelsey (Rutgers Prep).

D3baseball.com Preseason All-America first team pitcher Justin D’Amato (7-2, 1.46 ERA, 11 GS, 68.0 IP, 70 K, 25 BB), is one of the best pitchers in the New York Region and the country. D’Amato, with one season left in Pittsfield, holds just about every St. John Fisher pitching record. The senior southpaw will head up Fisher’s pitching rotation which will include returning arms Mike Rynerson (6-0, 1.46 ERA, 55.1 IP, 43 K, 11 BB) and Sean Badger (5-1, 3.53 ERA, 43.1 IP, 36 K). The trio combined to claim 18 of Fisher’s 28 victories in 2013.

Empire 8 favorites Ithaca and St. John Fisher are scheduled for a single four-game series on Easter Weekend at St. John Fisher’s Dugan Yard. Ithaca took three out of four from St. John Fisher last year en route to the league crown.

Dan Allen drove in 40 runs in 2013 for the Ducks. Stevens athletics photo

The Ducks from Stevens proved to be a thorn in the side of St. John Fisher last year. The Hoboken, N.J., side split a four-game league series with Fisher last year and the Ducks, still fairly new members of the Empire 8 continue to improve. Skipper Kritaps Aldins has guided Stevens to back-to-back campaigns with at least 23 wins apiece and 22 players return from last year’s 23-18 team that went 7-9 in the league.

Highlighting the Ducks returnees are two-way standouts Dan Allen (.343, 48 H, 32 R, 40 RBI, 13 2B, 19 SB / 2-0, 6 SV, 0.73 ERA, 9 app, 12.1 IP, 14 K) and Jayson Yano (.319, 44 H, 28 R, 14 RBI, 15 SB / 4 app, 7.0 IP, 7 K). Allen paced the Ducks in every major offensive category in 2013 and served as the closer, producing the lowest ERA among all Stevens’ arms. Allen will continue to pull double duty in 2014 as the closer and position player seeing time in the outfield and at first base. Yano was the 2013 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year as an infielder. Over the summer, Yano turned heads as a pitcher in the summer collegiate Cal Ripken Junior Collegiate Baseball League. The Foothills Ranch, Calif., native converted three saves and did not concede an earned run in 10 appearances for the D.C. Grays. He finished 13th in a ranking of the league’s top professional prospects. Yano’s summer success may lead to an innings increase on the mound after just four appearances in 2013.

Other Stevens key returnees include catcher Curt Lowenstein (.320, 32 H, 19 R, 11 RBI, 20 SB), outfielder Ryan Mannello (.310, 35 H, 16 R, 23 RBI) and starting pitchers Gary Boardman (3-2, 1.96 ERA, 41.1 IP, 30 K) and Peirce Marston (3-3, 2.66 ERA, 44.0 IP, 42 K). One interesting addition could prove to be freshman Zeph Walters. Walters, a native of Diamond Bar, Calif., went 11-2 with a 1.24 ERA last spring as a high school senior in Southern California. In addition to throwing a perfect game, the All-Area selection batted .358 with 28 RBI and 23 runs scored. 

Stevens should continue to improve under Kristaps Aldins but the remaining question will be is Stevens talented enough to beat Ithaca and St. John Fisher on a regular basis? The Ducks split with the Cardinals in Hoboken last year and were swept by Ithaca. Stevens travels to Fisher this year and then return home to face Ithaca the following weekend.

Rounding out the current Empire 8 contingent are Utica and Hougton. Utica is looking to bounce back from a six-win season which included a 1-11 record in the Empire 8. The first step for Utica is a new coach in longtime area baseball coach Joe Milazzo. A brand new coaching staff will have a veteran team to work with that includes 20 returning players. Hougton is set to embark on its second season in the Empire 8 and third since the program was re-started from scratch. The Highlanders, transitioning to NCAA Division III from the NAIA, were 13-19 last season after putting together a 7-25 mark in 2012. Houghton also posted a respectable 6-9 record in the Empire 8 with wins over conference regulars Stevens and Utica. The Highlanders will have a much different look this spring with 11 freshmen and several transfers. Among the top returning players for Houghton are infielders Michael Knapp (.341, 31 H, 23 R, 13 BB, .450 OBP, 7 SB) and Michael Kerr (.323, 32 H, 22 R, 22 RBI).

Liberty League

David Peretti and the rest of the Union Dutchmen will be one of the teams to beat in the Libery League. Union athletics photo

Eight times over the course of the last eight years, the Liberty League regular season champion has not represented the conference as an automatic qualifier in the NCAA tournament. The last time the league’s top-finishing team in the regular season advanced through the league postseason draw to the NCAA tournament was 2005. Last spring, it was Union that vaulted to the top of the Liberty League pack as the Dutchmen set a school record with 26 victories. The Garnet and White captured its first-ever league regular season championship. However, rival Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, located less than 15 miles away, stormed through the league tournament with an undefeated record en route to the NCAA Tournament, its first NCAA appearance since 2009.

The road to the 2014 Liberty League championship again will run through the Capital District as RPI and Union again appear poised to finish atop the league table. In either falters, look up to the North Country where St. Lawrence is just two years’ removed from claiming a conference regular season tournament championship. Vassar, just down I-87 from the Capital District, could also have a say in the top half of the standings when all is said and done.

Union entered the 2013 campaign as the Liberty League’s darkhorse, a team potentially poised to have a breakout season, and that is exactly what happened in Schenectady. Under head coach Paul Mound, Union has improved its win total in each of the last three seasons, from 14 wins in 2011 (up from 12 in 2010 under the previous coach) to 18 in 2012 and 26 last season. However, the Dutchmen will have to fill some holes if they want to stay at the top of the ladder. Gone are Liberty League Player of the Year Tyler Heck (.394, 52 H, 33 R, 38 SB, 26 RBI, .478 OBP), starting shortstop Dylan Katz-Wicks (.316, 40 H, 18 R, 9 SH) and starting pitchers Seth Roberts (6-1, 1.36 ERA, 53.0 IP, 21 K, .247 OBP) and Phil Kemp (5-3, 3.72 ERA, 55.2 IP, 47 K, .235 OBA). Speedy center fielder Vincent Esposito (.383, 59 H, 32 R, 12 2B, 6 3B, .422 OBP, 13 SB) will likely top Union’s lineup while the heart of the order will feature power-hitting catcher David Peretti (.285, 25 RBI, 35 H, 22 R). Other key returnees include Anders Goetz (.304, 35 H, 19 RBI, 18 R) and Sammy Caruso (.252, 29 H, 20 RBI). Jeff Grasso (.366, 15 H, 13 RBI) and Eric Egan (.310) both batted over .300 in limited action as freshmen last year; each will move into the starting lineup as a sophomore. Union’s opening day lineup card may boast two freshmen – 6-2 lefty-swinging Kent Curran, from Eden Prairie, Minn., and Jake Fishman of Sharon, Mass. Each was a two-way standout in high school.

Liberty League Pitcher of the Year Dane O’Neill (6-1, 1.11 ERA, 6 CG, 3 SHO, 57.0 IP, 41 K, 6 BB), will lead the Union pitching staff. O’Neill had a career year in 2013. He will be the only returning pitcher in a four-man starting rotation that will include three first-year hurlers. Chris Pignatello (1-1, 3.71 ERA, 1 SV, 15 app, 17.0 IP, 12 K) will inherit the closer role; he was one of six Union pitchers to record a save in 2013. As a team, the Dutchmen logged a 2.97 ERA in 2013. However, with freshmen making up the majority of the starting rotation and an offensive-minded league which features a four-game conference series against each opponent, the Dutchmen may need to simply outlast teams rather than winning low-scoring games.

Sean Conroy is one reason that RPI is the favorite to win the Liberty League in 2014. RPI athletics photo

Pitching will be the strong point up the road in Troy where RPI is coming off a 30-win season and an NCAA tournament appearance. The Engineers gave up just one run in three league tournament games last May and then won two games at the Auburn, N.Y., regional before succumbing to regional runner-up Cortland. Head coach Karl Steffen is entering his 30th season at RPI. He has won over 700 games in Troy since taking over the Engineers in 1985. Up front, the Cherry and White will miss Mike Campisi (6-5, 2.30 ERA, 8 CG, 4 CBO, 82.1 IP, 49 K, 19 BB). However, the Engineers should have a talented trifecta of starting pitchers which include D3baseball.com Preseason All-American Sean Conroy (8-1, 1.81 ERA, 4 CG, 79.2 IP, 57 K, 10 BB), Jared Jensen (6-1, 3.73 ERA, 4 CG, 62.2 IP, 36 K) and Tim Gallagher (5-1, 1.90 ERA, 2 SV, 16 app, 26 K, 14 BB). Gallagher transitions into the starting rotation after topping the RPI bullpen in ERA and appearances in 2013.

Seven of nine starting position players are back however a large freshmen class, comprised of 12 players, will compete right away for playing time. RPI has to replace its leading slugger Chuck Erickson (.342, 6 HR, 28 RBI) and clean-up hitting shortstop Jonny Rio (.306, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 49 H, 34 R, 17 SB).  Shane Matthews (.338, 4 HR, 36 RBI, 54 H, 37 R, 16 2B, 16 BB, 11 SB) and Tim LeSuer (.333, 56 H, 38 R, 23 BB, 19 RBI, 9 SB) started 44 of 45 games for the Engineers in 2013. Two-way threat Jared Jensen (.292, 31 H, 24 RBI) will provide a big bat in the outfield or as the designated hitter while speedy outfielders Tyler Listing (.288, 32 H, 29 R, 11 BB, 9 SB) and Nick Annunziata (.278, 37 H, 27 R, 20 RBI) return to potentially book-end the RPI lineup.

The most intriguing change at Rensselaer comes in the dugout where the Engineers will be without longtime pitching coach Steve “Smoke” Allard. Allard, who retired, was most recently RPI’s associate head coach in 2013. He joined Karl Steffen’s staff in 1987. Under Allard’s guidance, RPI pitchers set over 30 school records.

St. Lawrence won the Liberty League’s regular season championship in 2012 and then fell just one win short of returning to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006. The Larries regressed slightly in 2013 with a 20-17 overall record and a quick exit from the league postseason. SLU has the puzzle pieces to return to form if it can improve offensively (the Saints tallied just one run in two postseason games) and lower a 4.61 team ERA. Joe Reilly (7-2, 1.92 ERA, 5 CG, 65.2 IP, 43 K, 11 BB) was one of the best pitchers in the league last spring. He will again shoulder the load for the SLU starting rotation which does not boast a returnee other than Riley with an ERA under 4.00. In their league championship campaign, the Saints hit .330 as a team.  Leading hitter Khifer O’Connor (.388, 52 H, 27 R, 12 2B, 30 RBI, 22 BB, .460 OBP) should power the offense along with Mark Syron (.323, 32 H, 28 R, 10 HBP, 13 SB, .430 OBP), Bryan Palermo (.269, 35 H, 30 R, 11 SB) and Brian Magovney (.260, 2 HR, 18 RBI). The league schedule certainly will help the Saints – head coach Pete Hoy’s team hosts both league favorites Union and RPI.

Much like Union, Vassar far exceeded expectations in 2013. The Brewers qualified for the Liberty League tournament on the final day of the regular season with a win over conference champion Union. Vassar set a school record for league victories (12) and highest finish in the league (fourth). Overall, 10 regulars are back for the Poughkeepsie nine. All-league performer Mike Perrone (.318, 48 H, 36 R, 30 SB) graduated but the top Brewer bat will still belong to Brett Zaziski (.449, 61 H, 29 RBI, 25 R, 19 2B, .618 SLG). Nick Johnson (.315, 45 H, 23 RBI, 13 R) was an honorable mention all-league performer as a freshmen, he’ll again form Vassar’s 3-4 middle of the lineup punch with Zaziski. With last year’s lead-off man, Perrone, gone to graduation, the Brewers will need to find another first-place hitter that can set the table for the big bats in the middle of the order. Second year Vassar hilltoppers Johnny Mrlik (2-3, 2.73 ERA, 8 GS, 52.2 IP, 36 K) and Joe Lovizio (4-3, 2.00 ERA, 6 CG, 54.0 IP, 41 K, 11 BB) give the Brewers two solid starters as they take over the top of the rotation for the graduated Zander Mrlik (6-1, 1.78 ERA, 4 CG, 55.2 IP, 25 K), Johnny’s older brother.

Josh Ludwig batted .367 for the Yellowjackets in 2013. Rochester athletics photo

Outside of the top four, the picture becomes less clear as parity tends to ensue in the middle of the Liberty League pack. Clarkson, Rochester and Skidmore all have the pieces to jump up and claim one of the four spots in the conference tournament. Offensively, Rochester returns nearly everyone back from last year’s club which just narrowly missed the Liberty League tournament. The Yellow Jackets have back their top nine hitters including speedy outfielders Josh Ludwig (.367, 54 H, 25 R, 17 SB, 16 RBI) and Sam Slutsky (.312, 48 H, 27 R, 15 SB, 11 RBI); middle infielder Ethan Sander (.250, 33 H, 18 R, 16 SB) rounds out a base-stealing trio that could give opposing catchers fits. UR backstop Nolan Schultz (.301, 37 H, 17 RBI) was one of the top defensive catchers in the loop as a freshman, he threw out 18 runners attempting to steal and logged a .989 fielding percentage in 33 games. However, Rochester lost its top two inning eaters from 2013 in all-conference arms Jon Menke (3-2, 2.37, 3 CG, 49.1 IP, 40 K, 18 BB) and Corey King (4-5, 2.85 ERA, 9 GS, 3 CG, 53.2 IP, 29 K). No returning pitcher made more than five starts and none recorded more than 33.1 innings.

Like Rochester, Clarkson has back the majority of its offensive weapons from last year. What may give the Golden Knights the edge over the Yellow Jackets is pitching? Liberty League Rookie of the Year Greg Jasek (3-1, 1.88 ERA, 4 CG, 48.0 IP, 29 K, 4 BB) should replace the graduated Bryan Chudy (4-3, 2.64 ERA, 5 CG, 58.0 IP, 44 K, 15) as Clarkson’s number one starter. Jarrod Mattingly (2-6, 4.20 ERA, 2 CG, 12 App, 49.1 IP, 28 K) and Pete Roma (3-1, 5.51 ERA, 9 GS, 47.1 IP, 23 K) will give the Green and Gold a veteran presence on the bump. However, Clarkson needs to improve as a whole on the mound after accumulating a 4.72 team ERA in 2013. Jasek (.289, 22 H, 18 RBI, 10 R, 13 SB), a two-way threat, can swing the stick and he is one of Clarkson’s top six returning batsmen from 2013. Other returning .300 hitters are John Coleman (.361, 48 H, 26 R, 15 RBI, 13 BB) and David Wixted (.321, 45 H, 28 R, 13 SB).

Skidmore won the 2012 Liberty League tournament though the Thoroughbreds failed to qualify for the conference playoffs last spring, just missing out on the fourth and final postseason spot by two games. The Thoroughbreds will have a team of youthful experience this year which features 13 combined juniors and seniors and 10 freshmen. Among the returnees are frontline starters Nick Petrella (5-2, 2.66 ERA, 6 GS, 5 CG, 1 SV, 44.0 IP, 24 K) and Isaac Forman (0-4, 4.14 ERA, 41.1 IP, 24 K) and reliever Andrew Bannon (1-2, 3.33 ERA, 27.0 IP, 17 K). Both Forman and Bannon were key ingredients on Skidmore’s 2012 NCAA tournament team, a return to form could land Skidmore in the hunt for another playoff berth. Marco Baratta (.349, 30 H, 14 R, 2 HR, 15 RBI) paced the Thoroughbreds in batting average as a rookie; he’s back as one of Skidmore’s leading hitters along with Erik Watkins (.321, 42 H, 22 RBI, 9 2B). The biggest issue though could be scoring, the Saratogans graduated 48 runs and 53 RBI from last year.

Entering its third year in the Liberty League, Rochester Tech has struggled to move towards the top of the table. The Tigers showed a two-win improvement in the league last spring and won 15 games overall. RIT ended the season on a high note winning three out of four from cross-town rival Rochester in May. The Orange and Black have their most experienced Liberty League team yet with six of last year’s top seven hitters all returning to the Brick City. The most dangerous will be Skip Flanagan (.353, 53 H, 35 RBI, 28 R, 12 2B, 11 SB), an all-league performer in 2013 who is coming off a summer in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. Other key bats back for the Orange and Black are Tyler Ramotar (.317), Brett Kajganich (.316), Ronnie Canestro (.310, 22 RBI, 40 H, 29 R, 20 BB, 12 SB), Taylor Hogan (.286, 17 RBI, 36 H) and Walt Roman (.280, 37 H, 22 RBI, 22 R). RIT batted a modest .285 in 2013 and averaged over five runs per game. Southpaw Brian Sheridan (1-1, 1.10 ERA, 11 App, 1 SV, 16.1 IP, 9 K) is RIT’s only returning arm with an ERA under 3.00. Three of the four pitchers in RIT’s weekend rotation are upperclassmen – junior Ethan Humbert (3-4, 4.59 ERA, 51.0 IP, 27 K) and seniors Michael Burns (3-4, 3.93 ERA, 55.0 IP, 33 K) and Tyler Leichtenberger (2-6, 4.40 ERA, 4 CG, 45.0 IP, 24 K).

Rounding out the Liberty loop, second-year program Bard enters the league for the first time. The Raptors played as an independent last spring and went 8-18. It was the first baseball season at Bard in 76 years. A new facility, named Honey Field, is in the process of being built however it will not be ready for this season. The Raptors, along with a 13-man freshman class, will play their home games at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, N.Y., home of the New York-Penn League’s Hudson Valley Renegades. Bard finished last season strong with a 5-5 record in its last 10 games.

Tom Rydzewski will be key to a Rams' offense that lost their best bat in 2013 to graduation. Farmingdale State athletics photo

Skyline Conference

Keith Osik’s Farmingdale State Rams look to continue their dominance over the rest of the Skyline Conference this season as they go in search of their seventh consecutive league championship. The Rams have won six Skyline titles in a row dating back to the 2008 season and have not missed the NCAA tournament since 2007. Last spring, the Rams overcame a 1-6 start which included a 15-0 loss in their season opener to finish the regular season on a 24-4 run which included a stellar 15-1 mark in the conference. Manager Keith Osik also recorded his 200th career win. 

The strength for the defending Skyline champions will be on the mound with conference ace Michael Dolce (6-1, 0.75 ERA, 59.2 IP, 44 K) and James Powers (5-2, 2.21 ERA, 36.2 IP, 27 K). Alex Weingarten (3-2, 4 SV, 2.47 ERA, 18 App, 51.0 IP, 27 K) is projected to join those two in the starting rotation after splitting time between starting and relieving last season. The Rams’ starting trio of twirlers should comprise one of the best pitching rotations in the conference and in the region. Overall, Farmingdale’s pitching staff returns all but one arm from last year’s group which compiled a 3.31 team ERA and a nearly 2:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Pitching and defense will be important for Farmingdale with an offense that must replace four of its top eight hitters. The biggest shoes to fill will come from 2013 Skyline Player of the Year David Zilnicki (.434, 53 H, 44 R, 24 RBI, 29 BB, 37 SB, .552 OBP, .541 SLG) who led the team in nearly every offensive category. Attempting to fill the void will be utility man Dalton McCarthy (.316, 37 H, 27 RBI, 23 BB, 17 SB), Anthony Alvino (.267, 39 H, 30 RBI, 27 R, 20 SB), Tom Rydzewski (.395, 30 H, 19 R, 15 SB) and Edward Bergmann (.299, 26 H, 18 R, 14 SB, 11 RBI). The Rams will boast a youthful batting order which should include just two seniors and may include as many as two freshmen.

In his ninth season as head coach, Osik has put together perhaps his most daunting schedule yet. The Rams will tangle with 2013 national runner-up Southern Maine, Eastern Connecticut (twice), Marietta, Birmingham-Southern and Division I Hofstra in addition to their league slate.

While Farmingdale State has staked its claim as kings of the Skyline, Old Westbury has quietly cemented itself among the top teams in the loop. The Panthers, annually among the national leaders in overall stolen bases and stolen bases per game, went 13-3 in the conference last season and won 25 games overall. Unlike their Nassau County counterparts in Farmingdale, the Panthers must replace three-fourths of their 2013 starting infield and two-thirds of their outfield. The biggest losses come in the forms of speedster Paul Valerio (.312, 44 H, 40 R, 41 SB) and hit leader Brian Walsh (.364, 56 H, 36 R, 35 RBI, 13 2B, 15 SB). Several junior college transfers should help the Old Westbury offense reload including Christian Faust (Catawba Valley), Nick Yip (Queensborough C.C.) and Bryon White (Blufield).The leading returning hitters are Jonathan Pagan (.371, 36 H, 27 R, 23 RBI, 20 SB) and John Angelino (.322, 39 H, 30 R, 20 RBI, 24 SB).

While Old Westbury was more notable for its offense and base-stealing prowess last year, the pitching staff lowered its team ERA from 5.00 to 3.84. Alex DiSanto (1-0, 13 SV, 0.31 ERA, 22 App, 28.2 IP, 25 K) was one of the top closers in the nation last year. He pitched in over half of Old Westbury’s games. He’ll again anchor the back end of the Panther pen. Out front, Old Westbury has a bevy of talented strikeout artists paced by ace Arismendy Nunez (6-5, 3.12 ERA, 69.1 IP, 66 K, 10 GS) and John Jay transfer Braylin Perez (96 K, 72.1 IP). Perez combined to strike out 177 batters over the last two years for the Bloodhounds. Fellow transfer Tim Ingram seated 40 via strikeout in 30.0 innings pitched last spring at Nassau Community College.

The biggest story outside of the top two in the conference last year was the rise of the Purchase Panthers. Purchase won a school record 23 games and went 13-4 in the Skyline to finish just a half-game behind second-place Old Westbury. The Panthers are now under new leadership for 2014 due to the resignation last fall of former skipper Bill Guerrero, the only coach in program history. The school will also unveil a brand-new lighted turf facility next month. Purchase returns NCAA steals per game leader Mike Sarni (44 stolen bases, 1.16 steals per game) but overall new head coach Adam Taraska has his work cut out needing to replace Purchase’s four top bats and two top arms from 2013.

Offensively, gone are leading hitters Ronald Echevarria (.470, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 55 H, 32 R, 16 BB, .752 SLG, .536 OBP) and Colin Morris (.345, 38 H, 25 R, 19 RBI, 17 SB) as well as pitching staff ace Miller Lulow (7-1, 1.85 ERA, 21 app, 73.0 IP, 45 K) and frontline starter Matt Paz (6-5, 3.23 ERA, 75.1 IP, 12 GS, 38 K).The cupboard isn’t completely bare for the new coaching staff. In addition to Mike Sarni, the Panthers will look to veterans Justin Sherman (.293, 35 RBI, 43 H, 25 R, 12 2B, 17 BB) and Michael Skoller (.318, 49 H, 31 RBI, 28 R, 15 SB, 13 2B) for offense. On the mound, the top returning pitcher is Adam Brant (3-2, 2.37 ERA, 38.0 IP, 29 K), the 2013 Skyline Rookie of the Year. Transfer Frank Fantino (Southern New Hampshire) should also provide innings.

Robert Hyde led St. Joseph's in starts as a junior and is part of a pitching rotation that returns intact in 2014. St. Joseph's (L.I.) athletics photo

St. Joseph’s (L.I.) finished fourth in the Skyline last year, though the Eagles will have a brand new coaching staff for 2014 which includes recently hired head coach Richard Garrett. Garrett inherits an SJC club that went 9-7 in the Skyline Conference and graduated just two regular senior position players. Catcher Mike Aloisio (.318, 35 H, 23 R, 8 2B, 4 3B, 12 RBI) is the top returning batsman for a team that managed a .239 team batting average in 2013. On the mound, the Eagles return their entire starting rotation which is led by junior Steven Szobesky (3-4, 1 SV, 1.77 ERA, 2 CG, 45.2 IP, 46 K). Like fellow Long Island side St. Joseph’s, SUNY-Maritime won 16 games in 2013 and qualified for the Skyline postseason. The Privateers are in search of their third consecutive trip to the league playoffs. They’ll be aided by a batting order which includes nine returning starters topped by all-conference performer Thomas Bauer (.311, 37 H, 26 R, 15 RBI, 17 BB, 8 SB), Nick Gall (.314, 37 H, 27 R, 6 2B, 15 RBI, 20 BB, 10 SB) and strikeout artist Kurt Niemeyer (4-4, 4.06 ERA, 51.0 IP, 47 K).

Meanwhile in Newburgh, Mount St. Mary head coach Steve Sosler will boast a Blue Knights bunch that includes 12 freshmen. Senior Vinny Carminati (.383, 41 H, 31 R, 7 2B, 5 TRP, 21 RBI, 20 BB, 10 SB, .481 OBP) should be one of the top offensive threats in the conference. Carminati and James Nakashian (.373, 31 H, 30 R, 21 BB, 12 SB) accounted for nearly 30-percent of MSM’s runs last spring. The Blue Jays of NYU Poly may have one of the best kept secrets in the league in second team all-conference selection Nate Albers (.392, 31 H, 22 R, 9 2B, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 734 SLG; 1-1, 2.16 ERA, 19 K, 16.2 IP, 8 App). The Burbank, Calif., native clubbed six home runs and averaged a run scored per game last season. On the mound, he struck out 19 in 14.1 innings pitched as a reliever.

State University of New York Athletics Conference 

Anthony Iacomini will man the hot corner for the Red Dragons' defense in 2014. Cortland State athletics photo

Twenty of the last 23 State University of New York Athletic Conference championships have been won by the Cortland State Red Dragons. Current head coach Joe Brown has helmed the Red Dragons to 12 conference crowns. The two-time national finalists stormed through the SUNYAC last season with a 15-3 loop record and then combined to reel off 35 runs in three conference tournament victories. Cortland made its 21-straight appearance in the NCAA tournament, the longest streak of any school, and advanced to the Auburn, N.Y., regional championship game before bowing out to rival Ithaca.

It’s no surprise that on paper, the Red Dragons are again favored to win the SUNYAC despite some significant losses which include the entire middle infield and last year’s SUNYAC Pitcher of the Year. Kyle Barkley (7-2, 2.14 ERA, 54.2 IP, 44 K) and Mike Hughes (7-1, 2.76 ERA, 11 GS, 65.1 IP, 37 K) combined for 14 victories, 19 starts and 120.0 innings pitched in 2013. Both Barkley and Hughes have graduated, so the top of Cortland’s 2014 pitching rotation will feature Brandon Serio (5-1, 1.21 ERA, 44.2 IP, 37 K) and Brandon McClain (5-1, 2.67 ERA, 57.1 IP, 59 K). Serio and McClain were each first-year starters in 2013; Serio was a true freshman while McClain pitched in a limited relief role in 2012. Any number of arms should be able to fill up the back end of the starting rotation. Binghamton transfer Mark Palumbo spent three years at the Division I level and could be Cortland’s next Aaron Schuldt, a BU transfer that blossomed into a frontline starter for the Red Dragons.

A two-headed monster in the back end of the bullpen should bolster the Cortland relief corps. Cody Petre (0-2, 2.18 ERA, 5 SV, 14 App, 20.2 IP, 21 K) and Steve Kimmelman (2-0, 3.00 ERA, 3 SV, 17 App, 24.0 IP, 27 K) each spent time in the closer role last spring and they may continue to switch back and forth. The Cortland pitching staff should also get help from new assistant coaches Kyle Putnam, a former Division I pitcher at Marist College, and Travis Ratliff, an All-American at Cortland.

On offense, Cortland averaged over 7.5 runs per game in 2013 and Joe Brown-led teams always seem to be able to hit the ball and score runs in bunches. Max Rosing (.379, 61 H, 45 RBI, 34 R, 12 2B, 15 HBP, .469) should be one of the top offensive performers in the region and the country. Rosing is coming off a tremendous summer season in which he batted over .300 in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League. Rosing is one of seven returning starters for the Red Dragons, five of the seven batted .300 or higher last season. Other power punchers for Cortland will include Donny Castaldo (.374, 34 H, 24 R, 20 RBI), P.J. Rinaldi (.344, 56 H, 31 R, 42 RBI, 12 SB), Chris Jackson (.328, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 38 H, 25 R), Tim Panetta (.318, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 28 H) and Anthony Iacomini (.311, 32 H, 24 R, 15 RBI).  The loss of D3baseball.com All-American John Adornetto (.357, 60 H, 42 R, 14 2B, 23 RBI, 29 BB, .474 OBP) and Zach Graczyk (.408, 75 H, 49 R, 15 2B, 31 RBI, 17 BB, 13 SB) will sting. Transfers Pat Farina (Westchester C.C.) and Anthony Simon (Santa Barbara C.C.) are among those that will be in line to take over the middle infield starting spots. Simon boasted a 25-game hit streak last spring; he is a product of New Jersey baseball powerhouse Don Bosco Prep.

The Oswego State Lakers set a program record for wins in 2013. Oswego State athletics photo

After Cortland, the race for second place will be hot and heavy. Fredonia, New Paltz and Oswego joined Cortland at Wallace Field for the conference tournament last May. Brockport State, one of the only teams to knock Cortland from the top of the SUNYAC mountain in recent years, did not make the SUNYAC postseason. Oswego advanced to the conference tournament championship game last year under second-year head coach Scott Landers. The Oswegans also set a program record with 27 victories. The Lakers will again be in the top-four mix this season though it will take some work to reach last year’s level of success. Oswego returns six players with starting experience. The Lake Show is hit hardest on the mound where none of last year’s starting rotation returns. The biggest loss is ace Dan Erne (6-1, 2.25 ERA, 9 GS, 61.1 IP, 32 K, 10 BB). Central Connecticut State transfer Brendyn Karinchak should make an immediate impact. Relievers Miles Kelly (2-2, 3.25 ERA, 1 SV, 14 App, 27.2 IP, 19 K), Cody LaFlamme (2-0, 3.26 ERA, 9 App, 19.1 IP, 13 K) and Jordan Giller (0-1, 2.77 ERA, 1 SV, 6 App, 13.0 IP) will transition into the starting rotation from the bullpen.

At the plate, the Green and Gold scored over six runs per game last season. Top returning batsmen Mike McMullen (.379, 50 H, 22 R, 26 RBI), Tim Smith (.330, 32 H, 22 R, 19 RBI, 18 BB), Scott Buniak (.317, 46 H, 31 R, 7 2B, 18 RBI) and Mike Mascari (.278, 21 RBI, 22 H) all drove in at least 18 runs last season. As a team, the Lakers batted .295. Oswego’s offense will have to be just as good if not better to help keep pace with offensive-minded Cortland in the league standings.

A new regime in New Paltz appears set to help take the Hawks to the next level. Former Johns Hopkins assistant Matt Righter inherits a New Paltz squad that went 12-6 against SUNYAC competition in 2013. Righter, a star pitcher during his playing days at Hopkins, has one of the best off-the-radar arms in the SUNYAC in Andrew Grann (5-5, 3.44 ERA, 10 GS, 3 CG, 70.2 IP, 58 K). Grann will take over as the staff ace for the departed Chris Chismar (5-4, 2.91 ERA, 4 CG, 65.0 IP, 68 K). Chris Pyz (3-1, 3.48 ERA, 44.0 IP, 31 K) will be another rinning-eater. Out of the bullpen, 6-foot-7 southpaw Brian Solomon (1-2, 1.50 ERA, 3 SV, 9 App, 12.0 IP) did not allow an earned run in seven of his nine appearances after transferring from Division II Mercy College. Pitching will be extremely key for the Hawks who lose a lot from last year’s offensive group which provided less than four runs per game of run support. Dave Lostaglio (.341, 28 H, 20 RBI, 7 2B) topped the Hawks in hitting one year ago. He is the only returning swinger for New Paltz with a batting average above .300. Siena College transfer Tyler Bell should step right into the middle of the lineup. Bell started 46 games for the Division I Saints in 2011 and batted .243 as Siena’s everyday catcher.

Brockport appears poised to make a return to the SUNYAC tournament with 21 players back from last year’s team. The Golden Eagles won 22 games overall and finished seven games over .500 but doomed themselves with a 6-12 showing in conference play. Reliever Justin McCarthy (2-2, 5.91 ERA, 2 SV, 14 App, 21.1 IP, 12 K) could play a big role in Brockport’s bounce back. McCarthy, a D3baseball.com Preseason All-American in 2013 was nearly untouchable in 2012 as he helped Brockport to a 20-win campaign which included a 10-8 league record. McCarthy may move up from the bullpen to the starting rotation along with possible fellow converted reliever Tyler Clifford (3-0, 3.31 ERA, 11 App, 35.1 IP, 15 K). Those two will attempt to atone from the graduation losses of Travis Renwick (6-2, 2.76 ERA, 10 GS, 65.1 IP, 45 K) and James Bardenett (4-5, 3.63 ERA, 12 GS, 72.0 IP, 56 K). Renwick and Bardenett combined for 101 strikeouts in 2013, no other Brockport twirler struck out more than 15. Several junior college transfers will look to fill out the rest of the conference rotation. Brockport’s offense will be buoyed by returnees Wesley Burghardt (.340, 36 H, 16 R, 15 RBI), Colin Grande (.314, 16 RBI), Pete Wilson (.296, 34 H, 21 R, 14 RBI), Dan Hurlimann (.276, 35 H, 24 R, 25 RBI) and Kyle Tracy (.272, 37 H, 25 R, 14 RBI).

Last spring, Fredonia was noted as a team that could give others trouble. The Blue Devils battled their way to 19 wins which included seven league victories which were enough to qualify for the league tournament as a four seed. A veteran team upset New Paltz in the conference tournament before succumbing to eventual runner-up Oswego State in the losers’ bracket final. This year’s Blue Devils are much younger but still should give teams a scare, no pun intended (OK, maybe a little). Seven starters are back for Fredonia that are part of a group that features 20 combined juniors and seniors. Matt Casilio (.341, 30 H, 17 R, 17 RBI, 19 BB) is the only one of Fredonia’s top five hitters that are back. He should receive help in the lineup from junior transfer Anthony Schiro (Niagara County C.C.) as well as returnees Connor Lorenzo (.310, 35 H, 20 R, 16 RBI) and Kenny Johnston (.287, 27 H, 21 R, 16 RBI). Kyle Grey (2-0, 2.91 ERA, 13 App, 2 SV, 34.0 IP, 17 K) and Sean Larson (3-3, 4.07 ERA, 8 GS, 42.0 IP, 26 K) lead the list of returnees on the mound.

Oneonta found itself in a very unfamiliar position in 2013 in having to replace the majority of a team from the previous season under a second-year head coach. The result was a trying season in which the Red Dragons narrowly missed out on the conference playoffs and won just 12 games. For the second year in a row, Oneonta must replace more than half of its starting position players. The opening day lineup card for head coach Ben Grimm may include as many as five newcomers (and seven new starters) and that arrived in the City of the Hills as freshmen or through transfer. Leading the returning bats for SUCO is Christopher Orlando (.296, 40 H, 18 R, 18 RBI, 11 2B) and Matt Mastroianni (.299, 23 H, 10 R, 22 GM). While the Red Dragon offense looks to rebound from a .240 team batting average, the pitching staff will bring back its top two arms in Steve Ascher (4-4, 3.02 ERA, 10 App, 50.2 IP, 43 K) and Alex Mastrianni (2-5, 3.99 ERA, 10 App, 58.2 IP, 23 K).

Plattsburgh, like Fredonia, could put a scare into some teams though the Cardinals appear to be in a transitional season coming off of a 5-14 SUNYAC campaign. The offense should be improved which will help at spacious Chip Cummings Field. Six of Plattsburgh’s top seven hitters are all back for 2014 with the flock being led by Brian Latulippe (.288, 36 H, 18 R, 14 RBI), Shane Houppert (.271, 29 H, 23 R, 11 RBI) and Nicolas Lupo (.271, 16 RBI). Even with a large majority of returning position players, the Cardinals must improve on offense after scoring only 141 runs in 37 games. No returning Plattsburgh pitcher made more than five starts last season. The most intriguing tidbit on Plattsburgh’s roster, the Cardinals feature two players from Japan – sophomore Yuya Osawa and junior Shunsuke Sugimoto. Both attended high school in Tokyo and then played baseball at Genesee Community College.

Independents

Joseph Mendez slugged 19 doubles and four home runs in 2013 for St. Joseph's (Brooklyn). St. Joseph's (Brooklyn) athletics photo

The St. Joseph’s (Brooklyn) Bears are entering their seventh season of baseball. St. Joseph’s primarily plays a schedule comprised of Division III teams however the Bears are scheduled compete in the USCAA Small College World Series in mid-May. Head coach Scott Lohse, a former skipper at Baruch, has produced a 10-win turnaround since his first year with the team in 2008 when SJC (Brookyln) won 10 games. Last spring, the Bears set a school record with 20 victories. A veteran team would like to register its third-straight winning season; an over .500 record in 2012 was the first in the program’s history.

Nine Bears with starting experience will suit up at the beginning of the 2014 season, there are seven position players back along with two starting pitchers. SJC has its top six hitters back from 2013 and the group is topped by the heavy-swinging quartet of Thomas McKenna (.397, 54 H, 42 R, 27 RBI, 12 R, 16 SB), Joseph Mendez (.365, 46 H, 36 R, 19 DBL, 4 HR, 41 RBI), Chris Cutrone (.361, 44 H, 35 R, 29 RBI, 10 SB) and Mike Cundari (.349, 45 H, 37 R, 14 DBL, 4 HR, 37 RBI, 9 SB). The Bears compiled a .322 batting average in 35 games and scored at a clip of over seven runs per contest. On the mound, there is also a wealth of returnees – staff ace Rosario DiLorenzo (5-2, 3.41 ERA, 4 CG, 63.1 IP, 56 K) and two-way player Chris Cutrone (4-7, 5.62 ERA, 10 GS, 64.0 IP, 33 K) will anchor the starting rotation. Other pitchers that will make a starting impact are converted shortstop Brian Luebck and Stevenson transfer Michael Faulkner.