By Joshua Kummins
for D3baseball.com
| The Southern Maine Huskies is the only New England team to crack the 2016 preseason Top 25. Southern Maine athletics photo |
Despite some outstanding performances (see: Sam Dexter, Austin Filiere) and some new blood tasting success in the NCAA Tournament, the New England region was held without a team in the Division III College World Series field for the first time since 1988.
The region is looking strong once again in 2016, but there are definitely some burning questions that will be quickly answered as this season’s book opens:
Is there a team that has what it takes to dethrone Wesleyan in the NESCAC?
What can Dexter and Filiere each do for an encore after taking the region, and country, by storm?
How will Mitchell follow up a record-setting season, or what will Curry’s response be after winning the Commonwealth Coast Conference title and in the national tournament for the first time?
Let’s jump right in, and get ready to play ball.
New Faces
Kevin Barnaby, Fitchburg State: The Falcons tabbed a familiar face as their 12th head coach in program history as Barnaby assisted in the Fitchburg dugout in 2012. The Leominster, Mass., native and Worcester State alum becomes the Falcons’ third head coach in four seasons after his one-year stint as a volunteer assistant at Division 1 UMass Lowell.
| Louie Bernardini was a standout pitcher for four years with the Wheaton (Mass.) Lyons. Daniel Webster athletics photo |
Louie Bernardini, Daniel Webster: Bernardini becomes the Eagles’ tenth-ever head coach after most recently serving as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at D-I LIU Brooklyn. The Maine native was twice named a New England All-Star while playing at Wheaton (Mass.) and has previous D3 coaching experience at Bates and Springfield.
Derek Carlson, Brandeis: Carlson takes over in the dugout at his alma mater after guiding Roger Williams for 13 years. The 1991 Brandeis graduate earned 261 wins during his tenure at RWU, becoming the program’s all-time winningest head coach. He served as an assistant to legendary Judges skipper Pete Varney ― a winner of more than 700 games during his 34-year tenure at Brandeis ― from 1991-96.
Mike Gladu, MCLA: Gladu heads a handful of miles east to MCLA after a five-year stint as an assistant coach at Williams. The Adams, Mass., native takes over for Jeff Puleri, who takes a more active administrative role with the Trailblazers after leading the baseball program for 13 years. He spent three years in the Chicago Cubs organization after playing at Division 2 American International College.
Clay Jenkins, Plymouth State: Jenkins is in his first season as the head coach at Plymouth State, and his fifth season with Panthers. As an assistant he working primarily with the Panther pitchers and catchers. During his collegiate playing career (2004-2007), Jenkins was a versatile pitcher for Franklin Pierce. As a captain and academic All-American his senior year, Jenkins helped lead Franklin Pierce to the Division II College World Series for the second consecutive year.
Mike Kelley, Mass Maritime: Kelley takes over for Bob Corradi, who retired in June after serving as MMA’s only head coach in its 43-year NCAA D-III history. Kelley spent the last decade as an assistant baseball and football coach for the Bucs after starring in both sports from 1996-99. The Milford, Mass., native was also recently promoted to Lieutenant Commander as a company officer in the Academy’s COMCAD department.
Nick Marsh, Anna Maria: Marsh joins the AMCATS after a three-year stint as an assistant coach at Castleton. He takes over for Dave McNamara, who became the program’s all-time winningest skipper over eight seasons. Marsh worked specifically with head coach Ted Shipley’s pitching staff, helping guide the Spartans to consecutive North Atlantic Conference titles and NCAA berths.
| Frank Pecora brings 41 years of coaching experience to Norwich in 2016. Norwich athletics photo |
Frank Pecora, Norwich: Pecora won 15 state championships in 38 years at Northfield High School and moved down the street to Norwich to become an assistant coach for three years. He succeeds John Rhoades, who steps back to an assistant’s role after a ten-year head coaching that was the longest in program history.
J.P. Pyne, Clark: Pyne returns to a head coaching post after two years as a D1 assistant at the University of Maine. The St. Joseph’s College (Maine) graduate spent six years as head coach at Daniel Webster from 2008-13, transforming the program from a seven-win team the year before his arrival to a three-time NECC champion. Pyne has coached in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, Can-Am League, and for two summer collegiate teams.
Jason Tower, Roger Williams: Tower takes over the Hawks after three seasons as an assistant at Tufts, where he primarily worked with outfielders and hitters. A four-year player at Eastern Nazarene, Tower also has coaching experience at MIT and Lasell. He has also coached at RBI Academy, various clinics, and club programs.
Nick Vennochi, Emerson: It has been a whirlwind offseason at Emerson as Vennochi is its second head coach since Dave Hanley stepped down from the part-time role in May after 11 years. Jerod Edmonson was hired a month later, but left to become a D1 assistant coach at UMass Lowell just before the start of the academic year. Vennochi is a former Emerson team captain and returns to his alma mater after coaching the club program at Babson.
Conference Previews
Little East Conference: The LEC race was a tight one in 2015, but Southern Maine finished a game ahead of the pack and locked up its third conference title in four years. The Huskies move on without All-American hurler Andrew Richards topping the rotation, but reigning D3 National Player of the Year Sam Dexter (.441, 82 H, 21 2B, 8 HR, 43 RBI) and 2014 LEC Pitcher of the Year Tyler Leavitt (5-2, 3.20, 49 SO, 50.2 IP) are two seniors among their 17 returning players. Senior Shyler Shates won six games in nine starts last year, while Ryan Browner (1-1, 1 SV, 21.1 IP) and Dan Kinnon (1-1, 23 SO, 28.1 IP) will team to anchor the bullpen. Dexter’s younger brother Jake, an infielder and relief pitcher, is one of head coach Ed Flaherty’s 14 new players.
| Shaun Vigeant was an All-Little East selection as a freshmen last season. Rhode Island athletics photo |
Rhode Island College finished right on the Huskies’ heels, topping a three-way tie for second place as it eclipsed the 20-win mark for the first time since 2012. The Anchormen will have to cope with the loss of catcher Matt Foley and fellow All-LEC First Teamer Patrick Rogers. Foley was drafted by the Miami Marlins last June after winning the conference’s Triple Crown (.453, 11 HR, 45 RBI) as a junior and already has a summer of professional ball under his belt. Outfielder Brad Douglas (.400, 31 R, 50 H, 5 2B, 9 RBI) returns after earning LEC co-Rookie of the Year honors, as does sophomore second baseman Shaun Vigeant (.309, 36 R, 14 RBI).
UMass Boston is certainly up for the challenge, boasting what head coach Brendan Eygabroat considers one of his best squads since taking the Beacons to the College World Series in 2010. Dual threat Daniel Mantoni (.366, 15 2B, 36 RBI and 4-2, 3.38, 58 IP) and catcher Anthony Searles (.330, 12 2B) are both coming off All-LEC caliber seasons as sophomore and will serve as catalysts for a UMB team to build off its second-most successful season (23-15) in program history. The Beacons will finally enjoy the comforts of a home field this spring with the opening of Monan Park, a replica of Fenway Park that was recently completed.
| Well traveled Steve Colella found a baseball home at Mass-Dartmouth after transferring three times. Mass-Dartmouth athletics photo |
UMass Dartmouth and Eastern Connecticut State finished a game apart in the middle of the standings last year. UMass Dartmouth returns ace Steve Colella (6-1, 3.32, 53 SO, 62.1 IP) for his senior season, but loses four other All-LEC performers and all but one of eight hitters who recorded at least 100 at-bats. Colella became the first Corsair pitcher to earn a second straight First Team nod since 1998.
Eastern Connecticut State will look to build off a 23-win season with a youthful, but talented team. First baseman D.J. Scavone (.307, 9 2B, 18 RBI) had an outstanding freshman season, while senior third baseman Chad Adams (.327, 11 2B, 7 HR, 33 RBI) and left fielder Andrew Scully (.331, 10 2B, 3 HR, 32 RBI) look to finish their careers on a high note. The Warriors also return a sophomore (Jacob Smith), junior (Rob Buchetto), and senior (Pat O’Neill) starter. Junior outfielder Alex Zachary joins the program after hitting .300 last year at Mars Hill University.
Western Connecticut State looks to build off of last year’s 17-22 record, returning its top three pitchers and nearly its entire starting lineup. Senior outfielders Chris Callahan (.393, 20 RBI, 10 SB) and Matt Greene (.368, 49 H, 13 2B) lead the way once again, while sophomore Stanley Rijo (.375 in 13 games) is expected to take on a full-time role at second base. Two transfers ― designated hitter/first baseman Nick Delotto (Endicott) and infielder Billy Buscetto (Keene State) ― will both look to join the lineup right away. Senior Todd Lyons (3-4, 3.53, 62 SO, 66.1 IP) was strong last year and looks to be the Colonials’ top arm again.
Plymouth State and Keene State were the only two teams with double-digit losses in conference play last year and look to improve. Plymouth State loses just one offensive player who stepped to the plate at any point in 2015, while seniors Paul Reny (.341, 9 2B, 7 3B, 18 RBI), Dave Hall (.312, 11 2B, 21 RBI), and junior Jarek Krajewski (.336, 12 2B) all return. Keene State’s Cody Dube (1-2, 2.45, 46 SO, 36.2 IP) returns after an All-Star pitching effort for the New England Collegiate Baseball League’s Sanford Mainers.
| MIT's Austin Filiere was the 2015 D3baseball.com Rookie of the Year. MIT athletics photo by DSPics.com |
New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference: MIT rode Austin Filiere’s bat all the way to its second straight NEWMAC title and was the lone New England team to advance to the regional championship round last year. Filiere ― who is projected to take over for Third Team All-American Parker Tew as the Engineers’ starting shortstop ― posted a whopping .436 average as a freshman. He was among the nation’s top ten in ten other statistical categories, leading the nation with 1.58 runs per game. Filiere’s supporting cast includes sophomore center fielder Garrett Greenwood (.319, 20 RBI, 14 SB) and junior second baseman John Drago (.240, 9 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 38 BB, 7 SB). Seniors Alan Wang (7-1, 3.19, 8 starts), Nicholas Locascio, and junior David Hesslink (44 K, 61 IP) make up a strong starting rotation.
Wheaton (Mass.) finished tied for the NEWMAC East Division lead last year, but will look to break MIT’s two-year title run in head coach Eric Podbelski’s 20th season. All-Conference first baseman Apolinar De La Cruz is gone to graduation, but senior third baseman Justin Silvestro (.405, 33 R, 13 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 38 RBI) and junior shortstop Josh LaJoie (.321, 46 R, 13 2B, 1 HR, 18 RBI) are expected to anchor the offense after strong 2015 campaigns. Junior Zachary Goodwin-Boyd (.356, 3 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 10 RBI) looks to make the next step, joining seniors Matt Lavanchy and Jimmy Smith in the outfield. The pitching staff looks to be in good shape, despite the loss of closer Mike Bisceglia. Dan Southerland (3-3, 3.63, 34 SO, 39.2 IP) and Brady Furdon (6-2, 3.67, 28 SO, 41.2 IP) were excellent as freshmen, while junior Mike Bruemmel (3-3, 4.34, 39 K, 47.2 IP) will be a solid option again from the left side.
| As a sophomore, Jake Halpin was one of two players to start all 34 games for the Beavers in 2015. Babson athletics photo |
Babson is stocked with returning talent as head coach Matt Noone enters the spring just 18 wins shy of 300 for his career. Jack Halpin (.362, 2 HR, 33 RBI, 9 SB) and Jake Weiss (.363, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 18 SB) are set to the lead the offense after outstanding junior seasons, while Adam Ayala and Brett Ender were strong contributors as rookies. The Beavers lose All-NEWMAC center fielder Dillon Gonzalez and pitcher Barrett O’Neill, but senior Nick Ahearn (3-3, 4.78, 1 CG) is poised to take hold of the top spot in the rotation.
Nick Vennochi inherits a young Emerson team looking to bounce back after winning a combined seven games over the last three seasons. Junior Clint Fontanella (.338, 23 H) and sophomore Pablo Feldman (18 H, 9 RBI) look to be the Lions’ best players, while senior Jack Capotorto (17 SO, 41.1 IP) is expected to lead the way on the mound. Catcher/outfielder C.J. Rogers is expected to produce right away as a freshman.
WPI finished with 21 wins for its second consecutive winning season in 2015 and returns six of its nine top batters. Seniors Sean Greene (.397, 45 R, 62 H, 11 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 28 RBI) and Anthony Capuano (.391, 13 RBI) will provide veteran leadership in the outfield, while first baseman Alex Venditti (.371, 15 2B, 1 3B, 8 HR, 46 RBI) provides a powerful bat and a steady presence at first base. Both will hit in the middle of the Engineers’ lineup, looking to build off two of the program’s most impressive offensive seasons in recent years.
Coast Guard returns its only All-Conference performer in junior first baseman/designated hitter Tim Duncan, who tied a single-season school record with six home runs. His .301 average led the team, as did his 34 hits, nine doubles and 22 RBI. The Bears lose just three seniors who appeared in 17 or more games and have several rising players who showed flashes of brilliance as underclassmen, including Chris Clark who was a .308 hitter in seven games.
Veteran coach J.P. Pyne takes over the Clark program and will have all of the team’s top six hitters from a year ago to work with. Sophomore shortstop Kyle Bonicki (.333, 35 H, 19 RBI, 9 SB) and junior infielder Adam Chochrek (.313, 13 RBI) were the only Cougars with a .300 average or better, while junior Tyler Hutchinson (.291, 24 R, 5 3B, 20 RBI) was the team’s leading run scorer. There will also be veteran experience on the mound with junior Joseph Gouveia (2-1, 2 SV, 2.11, 21.1 IP) and senior Brett O’Keefe (2-1, 1 SV, 2.12, 15 SO, 17 IP) back in the bullpen and sophomore Patrick Robinson in the rotation.
Springfield looks to rebound from a ten-win season in which it finished three games back of Coast Guard and Clark in the West Division. Senior outfielder Corey Wilcox (.302, 15 R, 14 RBI) and shortstop Dan Bergami (.284, 18 R, 8 2B, 9 RBI) are the top players returning, but the Pride will have to replace a pair of senior position players and reliever Jon Medici.
| Taylor Reuillard was named to the D3baseball.com All-New England team in 2015. St. Joseph's (Maine) athletics photo |
Great Northeast Athletic Conference: St. Joseph’s (Maine) has been the class of the GNAC with eight tournament titles in the last decade, but the Monks were held out of the final round last year for the first time since 2007. The Monks will have to fill in for All-Region catcher and reigning GNAC batting champion Joe Coyne (.404, 17 2B, 3 HR, 36 RBI), but have returning players at several key positions. Senior Taylor Reuillard (.402, 35 R, 66 H, 15 2B, 4 3B, 10 SB) is the team’s top returner and trailed Coyne by just two points in the batting race, but Nic Lops takes back catching duties after a redshirt season and his 2014 All-Region performance. The Monks have a strong class of juniors in designated hitter Dan Donovan (.338), first baseman Brett Barbati (.324), second baseman Taylor Black (.314), shortstop Max McCoomb (.313), and starting pitchers Nick Malatesta (3-2, 3.73) and Matt Wojciak (3-0, 4.05).
Suffolk peaked in the postseason, winning its fifth GNAC title after finishing in a third-place tie with Lasell. The Rams look poised for another strong season with senior catcher Jon Lapolla (.291, 27 R, 10 2B, 2 HR, 17 RBI) and sophomore outfielder Brady Chant (.283, 39 H, 14 RBI) both returning to the fold. Pitchers Frank Tierney and Josh Desai are both gone to graduation, but Chuck Gibson (2-4, 3.14, 1 CG, 26 SO, 48.2 IP) was a reliable starter as a sophomore.
Johnson & Wales’ 20 wins were its fewest since 2011, but the Wildcats finished in second place and took league champion Suffolk into the 13th inning of the deciding conference playoff game. Senior Jake Marchesseault was one of the league’s most impressive arms last year, earning two wins and striking out 32 while throwing three complete games. The Wildcats return all five of their All-Conference honorees, including returning pacesetters Carlos Sanabria (.327, 23 R, 6 2B, 21 RBI) and Ryan Cabral (.314, 13 R, 12 RBI).
| Josh Bahnick earned GNAC Rookie of the Year in 2015 for Lasell. Lasell athletics photo |
Lasell was in contention yet again in 2015, but its top two hitters graduated. Seniors Wes Hurty (.323, 18 R, 30 H, 2 HR, 22 RBI) and Tyler Flaherty (.319, 13 RBI) return and were two of the six Lasers who took home All-Conference honors last season. Only graduated senior Greg Sherman ate more innings on the mound than GNAC Rookie of the Year Josh Bahnick (3-2, 2.23, 2 CG, 40.1 IP) a year ago.
The rest of the league ― Rivier, Albertus Magnus, Anna Maria, and Norwich ― will likely be looking up. Rivier made its first postseason appearance since 2008 last year, but loses two All-Conference performers. Senior Taylor Black (.363, 8 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 21 RBI) will be back after finishing as the team’s second-leading hitter last year. Albertus Magnus looks for another strong season from senior third baseman Justin Poirier (.354, 21 R, 35 H, 10 2B, 18 RBI).
Anna Maria and Norwich look for improvement from seven-win seasons with new coaches at the helm. Anna Maria returns leading hitter Nate Frederick (.316, 14 R, 30 H, 5 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 13 RBI) who garnered All-Worcester honors as a freshman as well as every pitcher who touched the rubber last season. Norwich loses top innings eater Brandon Place (42.1 IP) but returns senior starters Billy and Brian Whaley and a quartet of juniors ― led by catcher Brandon Pedley (.346, 13 RBI) ― who paced the offense.
| Sam Spencer is the reigning North Atlantic Conference Pitcher of the Year. Castleton athletics photo |
North Atlantic Conference: Castleton returns 20 players from last year’s team that captured its fifth NAC title in ten years, but welcomes in exactly as many newcomers. Opponents won’t need much introduction to the Spartans’ pitching staff as senior Sam Spencer (5-2, 1.69, 45 SO, 64 IP) ― the league’s reigning Pitcher of the Year ― and junior Devin Hayes (4-0, 3.54, 63 SO, 56 IP) return after stellar seasons. Charlie Stapleford brings the heat into his freshman season and will become a prominent pitcher with time. Junior Nick Swim (.410, 16 2B, 2 HR, 29 RBI) paced the way offensively last year and is a definite Player of the Year candidate, while classmates Taylor Vile (.341, 5 2B, 21 RBI, 9 SB) and Dan Errico (.340, 8 2B, 8 HR, 50 RBI) were also powerful batters.
Husson will be in good shape if reigning NAC Rookie of the Year Robert Graff (6-0, 1.76, 30 SO, 46 IP) can turn in another strong season on the mound, but the Eagles lose two key offensive pieces in Brandon Gendreau and Kyle Bishop. Juniors and All-NAC Second Team selections Ryan Rebar (.363, 26 R, 15 RBI) and Christian Corneil (.312, 3 3B, 3 HR, 14 SB) will be key players returning at the plate.
In-state foe Thomas loses just five seniors from a team that finished as NAC runner-up to Castleton, winning 14 of its 18 games in conference play. Senior shortstop Nik Beeson (.383, 24 RBI) trailed only Swim in the league’s batting title race and anchors an offense that does not lose a regular contributor from last year. Matt Rutherford led the pitching staff as a freshman, winning three games.
Behind the Terriers, UMaine-Farmington and Lyndon State finished even in the league standings. UMaine-Farmington welcomes back its three All-NAC selections ― first baseman Ben Keene (.291, 20 R, 15 RBI), second baseman Dustin McCrossin (.321, 23 R, 17 RBI), and outfielder Sean Cabaniss (.341, 43 H, 18 RBI, 8 SB) ― after strong junior seasons. Seniors Kyle Peterson and Jimmy Neal combined for six wins and seven complete games last year. Lyndon State shortstop Reece Tanguay (.269, 18 RBI) was the only Hornet earning All-NAC honors last year, while senior classmate Dylan Newton posted a strong .316 average.
New England College returns Vincent Backert, an All-Conference performer at shortstop (.315, 15 RBI) who also made seven starts on the mound (3-2, 3 CG, 28 K, 35 IP). Colby-Sawyer has sophomore Chris Hood (.368, 10 RBI) and junior outfielder Nathan Frongillo (.300, 17 R, 4 2B, 8 RBI) coming back.
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Senior Al Jordan Johnson headlines a veteran rotation for the Mitchell Mariners. |
New England Collegiate Conference: Mitchell ran away with the NECC and claimed its fourth conference title last year, but faced a tough draw against nationally ranked Kean and Salisbury at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional. Pitching will again be a strength for head coach Travis Beausoleil as the Mariners return Pitcher of the Year Al Jordan Johnson (10-1, 2.58, 4 CG, 1 SV, 56 SO, 59.1 IP), junior Axel De Jesus (4-3, 3.49), and senior Tyler Shamas (7-2, 2.59, 4 CG, 1 SV, 39 SO, 48.2 IP). A whopping 11 seniors who stepped to the plate last year graduated, but outfielder Neftali Arroyo (.327, 46 R, 9 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 26 RBI) returns for his final season.
Many of Elms’ key pieces return after the Blazers were much improved, finishing above .500 for the first time in program history last season. Jordan Zima (.382, 23 R, 52 H, 8 2B, 24 RBI) earned All-Conference First Team honors as a sophomore, while Michael Bombard (.341, 18 R, 20 RBI) was one of the league’s top rookies. Pitchers Brian Langdon and Andrew Sadowski combined for 13 of the team’s 19 wins as juniors.
Becker returns a trio of players who earned All-Conference honors as sophomores, including reigning Player of the Year Niko Bedell (.405, 13 2B, 8 HR, 36 RBI) and shortstop T.J. Sempkowski (.377, 10 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 20 RBI). The Hawks’ struggles last year were on the mound, but junior Tyler Wagar and senior Nick Lemay look to build off four-win seasons.
Lesley welcomes 15 new players into the fold, but returns a strong senior duo in shortstop Gustavo Polidor (.376, 27 R, 9 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 20 RBI) and center fielder Casey Blanchard (.314, 9 2B, 21 RBI). Sophomore Tom Muratore (6-3, 2.49, 1 SV, 6 CG, 62 SO, 68.2 IP) jumped right into the role of ace and became the first member of the Lynx to ever win NECC Rookie of the Year honors. The Lynx earned 14 wins for the first time in program history last season and look to improve upon two straight .500 records in conference.
| Ethan Forrest threw a perfect game for the Rockland Cardinals of the South Shore's Cranberry League this summer. Newbury athletics photo |
Newbury looks to increase its win total for a third straight season after graduating just one of four players earning All-Conference nods last year. Ethan Forrest tied the Nighthawks’ single-season record with six wins as a sophomore while posting a 2.07 ERA and 45 strikeouts, while Australian batterymate Craig Barnett hit .248 with 14 RBI.
Southern Vermont has increased its win total by seven over the last four seasons and looks to compete for the league title despite a young roster. Junior third baseman Niko Horwith has impressed head coach Dave Gage at the plate and will be a key for the Mountaineers, while returning three of their top five hitters from a year ago in junior catcher Anthony Mercuri (.333), sophomore outfielder Niko D’Agnese (.324) and senior shortstop R.J. Pingitore (.310). Two juniors and two sophomores return after starting games last year, including sophomore Jean Carlos Berasgoico whose 3.35 ERA led the team.
Daniel Webster rounded out the NECC last year and looks for improvement under first-year head coach Louie Bernardini. Second Team All-Conference first baseman Dakota Williams (.373, 10 2B, 17 RBI) and Dan Quinn (.361, 9 2B, 12 RBI) were the Eagles’ top hitters last year as sophomores.
| Seniors Kyle Kennedy (pictured), Kevin Kwedor, Alex Rozak, and Everett Walsh were named captains for the 2016 Mass Maritime squad. Mass-Maritime athletics photo |
Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference: Mass Maritime clinched a share of the MASCAC regular season title for the first time in 33 years in legendary head coach Bob Corradi’s final season. Catcher Logan Sullo (.446, 8 2B, 6 3B, 2 HR, 18 RBI) was a force to be reckoned with as a freshman, earning both Player and Rookie of the Year honors. Senior first baseman Greg Downs (.295, 8 2B, 2 HR, 15 RBI) joined Sullo on the All-MASCAC First Team, while Kevin Kwedor earned a spot on the Second Team after a six-win junior year. Kwedor’s younger brother, Brian, is a promising freshman pitcher/outfielder among the Buccaneers’ 12 newcomers.
There will be lots of eyes on Salem State this year as second baseman Richie Fecteau goes for a strong finish to his outstanding career as a Viking. An All-American Second Teamer, Fecteau led the MASCAC with a .405 batting average and 17 doubles last year as SSU won its third MASCAC title and appeared in the national tournament for the fifth time. His 49 hits, which included 23 for extra bases, were second-most in the conference. It’s hardly a solo show as outfielders Mike Davis (.317, 10 2B, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 12 SB) and Andrew Deloury (.321, 8 2B, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 5 SB) return for their senior and junior seasons, respectively. On the mound, the Vikings have threats from both sides in right-handed junior Mike Richardson (7-2, 1.15, 32 K, 47 IP) and senior southpaw Sean Buckland (4-1, 2.09, 36 SO, 56 IP).
Worcester State loses 11 seniors from last year’s team that advanced back to the MASCAC title game, but looks to compete again with some key pieces returning. Juniors Zach Zona (4-3, 3.33, 60 SO, 54 IP) and Tyler Barrie (3-2, 3.38, 3 SV) sit atop the pitching staff, which loses Ben Libuda ― now an Atlanta Braves farmhand ― and Joe Perlak to graduation. Their classmates Adam Barry (.362, 36 RBI) and Jake Ryan (.283, 18 RBI) will anchor the offense. Barry was an All-MASCAC performer in each of the last two seasons, while Ryan returns for his third year as a starter in the outfield.
Framingham State loses three All-MASCAC selections and eight total seniors, but welcomes back senior Zach Kirby (7-1, 1.38, 106 SO, 85 IP) who enjoyed an outstanding 2015 calendar year. Kirby was the second Ram in three years to earn MASCAC Pitcher of the Year and followed up his school-record spring by earning the same honor as a summer member of the Futures Collegiate League’s Brockton Rox. Catcher Jordan Pallazola (.280, 22, R, 14 2B, 3 HR, 32 RBI) earned an All-Conference Second Team nod as a freshman.
| Nate Barnes had a .992 fielding average in 2015 for the Westfield State Owls. Westfield State athletics photo |
Juniors Nate Barnes, Nick Cunningham and senior Justin Thomson are expected to slot into starting roles after Westfield State graduated its entire weekend rotation from last year’s 20-win team. All three earned a pair of wins last year and are among 17 returning players. Seniors Danny DiMatteo (.372, 11 2B, 5 3B, 2 HR, 22 RBI), Dan McCormack (.309, 9 2B, 18 RBI), and Connor Sheridan (.375, 13 RBI) are among veteran Owls who will play prominent roles again.
Fitchburg State returns seven starters and 18 players from last year’s team, including junior outfielder Steven Drury, Jr. (.240, 3 HR, 13 RBI) and senior catcher Brendan Cutler (.277, 28 H, 5 2B, 13 RBI). The Falcons won’t have ace Kyle Cutler eligible after winning four games as a sophomore, but senior Javier Lozada (5 SV, 1.42, 10 SO, 12.2 IP) looks to break into the starting rotation. Catcher Nathan Littman and pitcher Joe St. Hillaire, both juniors, returning after missing last season.
Bridgewater State and MCLA rounded out the standings last year. Bridgewater State returns All-MASCAC outfielder Travis Ritchie (.343, 20 R, 7 RBI) and top starter David Holmes (1-5, 2.63, 4 CG, 1 SV, 27 SO, 41 IP) for their senior seasons. MCLA loses third baseman Rory Slattery, outfielder Chase Preite, and four other senior position players, but welcomes back dual pitching threat in Todd Hunt (3-1, 4.27, 28 SO) and Liam Nolan (2-3, 2.17, 27 SO, 2 SV).
Commonwealth Coast Conference: It was Curry that came alive when it mattered most, winning its first CCC title since 2007 after a third-place finish. David Griffin (7-1, 1.59, 52 K, 62.1 IP) burst onto the scene as a freshman and took on important work during the postseason, tossing 5.1 relief innings against Roger Williams in the conference title game before his fifth complete-game effort of the season downed NESCAC champion Wesleyan for the Colonels’ first-ever NCAA Tournament victory. Junior Brian Burke (4-2, 2.77, 4 CG, 1 SV, 33 SO, 48.2 IP) also returns to the starting rotation. Junior catcher Nick Crivello (.328, 10 2B, 1 HR, 20 RBI) and senior outfielder John Arens (.316, 26R, 42 H, 8 2B, 18 RBI, 13 SB) return after pacing reigning CCC Coach of the Year Dave Perdios’ offense.
| Nick Quattro made 24 appearances in 2015. Endicott athletics photo |
It is shaping up to be another strong season at Endicott as eight members of the starting lineup and nine of their top ten pitchers return from a 26-win team. Strong pitching is the name of the game as both J.J. Branch (7-3, 1.44, 53 SO, 75 IP) and Nick Quattro (8-1, 3 SV, 1.42, 55 SO, 50.2 IP) were outstanding as juniors and will lead the way in the starting rotation and out of the bullpen, respectively. The Gulls lose Harry Oringer, his seven home runs and 30 RBI, but freshman Cory Baldwin is expected to jump into a starting role at second base. Sophomore Mike DeDonato (.276, 2 3B, 15 RBI, 21 SB) and junior Cam Farnham (.296, 40 H, 20 SB) will again be stalwarts in the lineup, bringing speed to the outfield.
Four of second-place Western New England’s five CCC honorees return to the fold, including senior second baseman Eduardo Colmenares (.355, 20 R, 3 3B, 24 RBI), shortstop Kevin Marciano (.329, 50 H, 10 2B, 19 RBI, 12 SB), and outfielder Doug Milne (.331, 28 R, 7 2B, 21 RBI). The Golden Bears won just 19 games for the second straight season in 2015 after posting at least 34 in each of the three seasons prior.
Gordon led a logjam in the middle of last year’s standings, but looks to break back above the .500 mark with senior shortstop Alex Smith (.331, 26 R, 12 RBI) and sophomore outfielder Addison Tarr (.307, 14 RBI) both returning. The Fighting Scots lose starting pitchers Wesley Arning and Mark Fitzgerald after both also garnered All-CCC honors.
New Roger Williams head coach Jason Tower will benefit from lots of returning talent during his first season, including senior All-CCC pitchers Troy DeLeon (5-2, 2.73, 5 CG, 1 SV, 61 SO, 52.2 IP) and Tyler Campo (3-5, 2.49, 5 CG, 71 SO, 61.1 IP). After leading the Hawks with a .306 average and 24 RBI, senior Kevin Baker played a nine-game stint with the New England Collegiate Baseball League’s Newport Gulls.
| Alex Perry was the first player to earn CCC Player and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season. Salve Regina athletics photo |
Salve Regina welcomes back designated hitter Alex Perry, who became the first-ever player to earn CCC Player and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season. His .426 average, ten home runs, and school-record 58 RBI were by far the league’s best. Senior outfielder Ryan Kelly (.314, 43 R, 21 RBI, 16 SB) and sophomore first baseman David Neil (.322, 21 R, 31 RBI) were also All-Conference selections for the Seahawks.
Wentworth, Nichols and Eastern Nazarene were the clear three teams at bottom of last year’s conference standings. Wentworth’s Tyler Weninger earned conference honors as a freshman after posting a .333 average and team-best 27 RBI. Similarly, Nichols’ top three hitters last year were underclassmen and return to keep a strong foundation. Outfielder Matt Hardy (.382, 16 RBI) leads the returning Bison after a strong sophomore season, while senior Benjamin Harrow (.328, 6 2B, 10 RBI) is the top senior. The pitching staff struggled a year ago, but senior Joseph Nicolace looks to build off a strong summer in the New York Collegiate League. Eastern Nazarene welcomes in a whopping 17 freshmen, but junior Cameron Fiorentino (.355, 24 R, 11 2B, 1 HR, 20 RBI) leads a trio of returning hitters.
New England Small College Athletic Conference: Wesleyan will have some major holes to fill if its wants to continue its two-year run atop the NESCAC, but senior shortstop Guy Davidson (.306, 28 R, 9 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 29 RBI) is certainly capable of picking up some offensive slack after his second straight All-Conference honor a year ago. The Cardinals lose junior pitcher Gavin Pittore (Los Angeles Dodgers) and senior outfielder Donnie Cimino (Chicago Cubs) to the professional ranks, while first baseman Sam Goodwin-Boyd, pitchers Nick Cooney and Sam Elias were among nine graduates. Reigning Coach of the Year Mark Woodworth’s pitching staff looks like it will run through senior Peter Rantz (5-2, 2.97, 1 CG, 25 SO) who made eight starts last year.
| Tufts third baseman Tommy O’Hara was an honorable mention selection on the 2016 D3baseball.com preseason All-American team. Tufts athletics photo |
Third baseman Tommy O’Hara became the second straight Tufts player to earn NESCAC Rookie of the Year honors, posting a team-best .405 average, 42 runs scored, 14 doubles, and 42 RBI. Senior Andrew David (6-1, 3.46, 49 SO, 52 IP) and junior Tim Superko (5-4, 3.68, 2 CG, 69 SO, 58.2 IP) both return after combining to start 19 of the Jumbos’ 36 games a year ago. Superko was the 2014 Rookie of the Year. Gone are three pitchers who made starts last season as well as a pair of All-Conference First Team selections in center fielder Connor McDavitt and catcher/designated hitter Bryan Egan.
Bates graduated outfielder Nate Pajka and third baseman Sam Berry, but does return junior second baseman Conor Reenstierna (.304, 5 2B, 21 RBI) and sophomore outfielder Ryan McCarthy (.296, 21 R, 6 2B, 1 HR, 12 RBI) who each played more than 30 of the Bobcats’ 37 games last year. Pitching looks to be a strength with juniors Connor Columbo (4-1, 2.70, 46 SO, 46.2 IP) and Rob DiFranco (2-3, 2 SV, 25 SO, 25.2 IP) returning.
Bowdoin sees senior second baseman Aaron Rosen and pitcher Henry Van Zant graduate, but first baseman Chad Martin (.311, 32 R, 41 H, 7 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 29 RBI) is more than capable of carrying the offense after earning All-Conference Second Team honors as a junior. Martin’s classmates Michael Staes (2-2, 3.58, 21 SO, 27.2 IP) and Harry Ridge (3-3, 3.58, 1 CG, 37 SO, 27.2 IP) are the Polar Bears’ top returning hurlers. Colby returns senior two-way All-Conference performer Soren Hanson (.348, 19 RBI and 5-1, 3.08, 2 CG, 38 SO, 38 IP) and shortstop Tommy Forese (.333, 36 R, 7 HR, 24 RBI).
Trinity brings back offensive leader and All-NESCAC Second Team outfielder Brendan Pierce (.402, 9 2B, 4 HR, 16 RBI) from last year’s 14-win team. The Bantams will have to replace three starters on the infield, one in the outfield and lead pitcher Sean Meekins, who tossed complete games in two of his three wins in 2015. Senior Jed Robinson (2-4, 2.96, 39 K, 48.2 IP) is the top returning starting pitcher.
Amherst put together a strong season in the West, but the Cardinals proved to be too tough and ultimately finished with a perfect 12-0 mark in conference. It looks poised to compete regionally, despite losing Mike Odenwaelder to the Baltimore Orioles a year early after becoming the first-ever repeat NESCAC Player of the Year. Junior Yanni Thanopoulos returns after an All-NESCAC season in which he hit .350 with a conference-high 51 RBI, while sophomore Harry Roberson (.358, 45 R, 51 RBI, 13 SB).
Hamilton, Williams, and Middlebury finished deep in the bottom three places in the West. Hamilton loses outfielder Joe Jensen to the independent ranks after a earning an All-Conference nod, but looks to junior Ryan Wolfsberg (.396, 19 R, 9 2B, 4 HR, 25 RBI) to lead the offense. Williams welcomes back junior shortstop Jack Roberts (.359, 24 R, 3 HR, 29 RBI) and sophomore catcher Adam Dulsky (.323, 11 2B, 11 RBI), while juniors Luke Rodino (3-4, 2.72, 5 CG, 25 SO, 43 IP) and Tyler Duff (1-4, 3.76, 1 SV, 1 CG) anchor the pitching staff. Middlebury senior catcher Max Araya (.367, 11 R, 6 2B, 13 RBI) returns after turning out the Panthers’ lone All-NESCAC effort last year.