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| Eastern Connecticut State was named the unanimous preseason favorite by the Little East Conference head coaches in the 2022 LEC Baseball Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Eastern Connecticut State athletics photo |
By Joshua Kummins for d3baseball.com
With the New England region split in half, Region 2 looks like it could be the home of some interesting late-season battles when talking about NCAA tournament consideration.
The Little East Conference includes two nationally-ranked teams and NCAA tournament No. 1 seeds from a season ago in Eastern Connecticut State and Southern Maine, but UMass Boston was the three-time defending champ -- a first in the history of the powerful league -- before 2021.
The CCC has also produced multiple quality teams in recent years and added a longtime contender Suffolk to the fold last year. Mitchell and New England College have both had NECC success in recent years, while the MASCAC also has several strong programs and produced an old but familiar winner last time out.
New Faces
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| Jason Falcon comes to Salem State with over 20 years of coaching experience. He recently served as the pitching coach at The University of Albany, after spending four years as an assistant at Holy Cross. Salem State athletics photo |
Keene State: Justin Blood arrived at Keene State in July from the University of Hartford, where he has spent the last 10 seasons as head coach, revitalizing a program that won just six games in the season prior to his arrival and capturing the America East regular-season and tournament titles in 2018. The native of nearby Swanzey, N.H., is the third coach in Owls history, replacing Ken Howe who retired after more than three decades.
Salem State: Jason Falcon brings over 20 years of coaching experience at the Division I and Division III levels to Salem State, most recently serving as the pitching coach at the University at Albany. Before spending 2015-19 as an assistant at the College of the Holy Cross, he was the head coach at Worcester neighbor Clark University from 1995-2015 where he produced 23 all-conference players and became the school’s all-time wins leader.
Key Games
WPI at Mitchell: Mitchell plays 12 of their first 13 games on the road and on March 19th will start a long home stretch with a doubleheader with WPI. The conference season will still be a week away but the Mariners will be wanting to get back into their routines that produced seven conference titles.
Eastern Connecticut State at Westfield State: Westfield State had the best overall record of the MASCAC teams last year with 18 wins. They will be able to take stock of how they have progressed this season on March 23rd when ECSU comes to town.
Lasell at Brandeis: Lasell makes the trip to the Brandeis campus on March 27th. Last year, the Judges feasted on Lasell pitching earning six of their 12 wins against the Lasers. Lasell will be looking to get a payback win or maybe just be happy this is the only time they will see the Judges in 2022.
Eastern Connecticut State at Southern Maine: The Warriors come north on April 16th for an LEC doubleheader. The Huskies will be battle tested by mid April with a tough non-conference schedule. The winner on this day will have the upper-hand when conference tournament seedings are announced.
Endicott at Salve Regina: In the final CCC games for both teams, this May 6th doubleheader will feel like a playoff game with the CCC tournament starting the following Wednesday.
Conference Previews
Commonwealth Coast Conference: After finishing atop the CCC and making its fourth NCAA tournament in five years, Salve Regina (16-7) is excited about its overall depth entering 2022. Coach Eric Cirella says the Seahawks may have their most depth ever on the mound, topped by a pair of “legit aces” from the left side in graduate student Patrick Maybach (3-1, 2.52 ERA, 44 K) and junior Dominic Perachi (3-1, 5.28 ERA, 40 K). Seniors Andrew Roman (1-0, 3 SV, 2.65 ERA, 16 K), Zack Lopez (2-0, 1 SV, 0.00 ERA, 7 K) and junior Graham Jeffries (0-1, 1 SV, 5.59 ERA, 16 K) will all be key pieces out of the bullpen. Cirella’s team returns All-CCC first-team junior outfielder Matt D’Amato (.379, 7 2B, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 24 R) and grad catcher Dylan Ketch (.349, 4 2B, 13 RBI, 17 R), but the team has more than a full lineup’s worth of experience. Outfielder Brandon Grover (.390, 5 2B, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 10 R) was the team’s top hitter for average as a freshman in 2021.
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| Endicott outfielder Joseph Millar is the fourth student athlete in program history to earn CoSIDA Academic All-District® honors. Endicott athletics photo |
Endicott (15-6) led last year’s “Pod B” before its chance to reclaim the title was canceled due to COVID-19. A pair of Gulls were among the league’s best players as sophomores in All-New England second-team outfielder Caleb Shpur (.423, 7 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 26 R, 9 SB) and third-team designated hitter Jake Nardone (.383, 5 2B, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 14 R). Other key veterans include sophomore third baseman Kyle Grabowski (.343, 7 2B, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 10 R), senior outfielder Joseph Millar (.407, 6 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 24 R) and graduate designated hitter Nick Perkins (.375, 2 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R). Perkins played in only eight games last season while returning sophomore catcher John Mulready and graduate shortstop Matt McKinley were limited to nine apiece due to injuries. Sophomore Michael Kozlowski (5-1, 2.84 ERA, 41 K) and junior Rian Schwede (2-1, 5.47 ERA, 26 K) both earned their own conference honors as starting pitchers. That cast is expected to mix well with 22 newcomers.
Veteran experience will be a strength at Roger Williams (20-11) as the Hawks have a plethora of graduate students including All-New England second-team first baseman Brandon Jenkins (.430, 9 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 45 RBI, 29 R), outfielder Tyler Cedeno (.311, 5 2B, 1 3B, 34 RBI, 25 R), starting pitchers Justin Garcia (3-0, 2.73 ERA, 57 K) and Connor Hewlette (2-4, 6.87 ERA, 34 K) and closer Chris Flynn (2-0, 4 SV, 2.40 ERA, 30 K). Nichols (15-9) loses CCC Player of the Year Kyle Bouchard, Pitcher of the Year Jack DiCenso and first-team third baseman Christian Naccari among others, but the Bison has firepower returning in the form of senior outfielder DJ Caron (.372, 9 2B, 5 HR, 27 RBI, 30 R), graduate shortstop Nate Cormier (.356, 7 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 31 RBI) and sophomore designated hitter Brennan Hyde (.410, 10 2B, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 19 R). Senior Victor Valentin (.418, 7 2B, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 19 R) was another conference performer last season and actually led the team’s returning players in hitting through his 20 games.
Suffolk (11-12) will get a full taste of CCC action for the first time in 2022 and expects to field a deep team with familiar faces and an influx of transfers. The Rams welcome back graduate third baseman Christian Seriac (.477, 5 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 13 R), who was the top utility player and led the league in average and on-base percentage (.545) last year. Senior first baseman Blase Cormier (.321, 4 2B, 8 RBI, 16 R), senior starting pitcher Steven Rossi (2-4, 3.75 ERA, 31 K) and reliever EJ Birch (2-1, 3 SV, 3.00 ERA, 20 K) were also 2021 All-CCC performers. Second baseman Garret Roberts, designated hitter/pitcher Harry Painter and shortstop Jon Gilbride (all from UMass Lowell) and outfielder Joe Ward (George Washington) join the team as Division 1 transfers.
Western New England (6-10) graduate righty Kevin Hummer (3-1, 1.84 ERA, 29 K) is the CCC’s top returning starting pitcher, but the Golden Bears had underclassmen as their top hitters last year including sophomore outfielder/pitcher Aaron Cole (.316, 4 2B, 1 3B, 7 RBI) and senior catcher Ben Harrison (.286, 6 2B, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 12 R). Wentworth (6-11) and Curry (5-18) produced two of the league’s top freshmen last year in outfielder Christian Peruzzi (.255, 4 2B, 9 RBI, 5 R) and shortstop Ryan Goonan (.333, 1 2B, 7 RBI, 10 R), respectively. Gordon (7-15) also looks to keep climbing with junior first baseman Shane Demers (.339, 4 2B, 1 3B, 7 HR, 18 RBI, 18 R) as a key returnee.
FAVORITE: Salve Regina
Little East Conference: Eastern Connecticut State (32-8) finished the conference gauntlet at the top before falling short in the postseason, but the Warriors enter 2022 as the top-ranked New England team at No. 9/10 nationally. Reigning Little East Coach of the Year Brian Hamm will benefit from a deep lineup and transfer additions to bolster the pitching staff. Preseason All-American third baseman Luke Broadhurst (.397, 11 2B, 4 3B, 11 RBI, 43 RBI, 47 R) and fellow All-New England first-team outfielder John Mesagno (.387, 16 2B, 1 3B, 12 HR, 47 RBI, 47 R) return to anchor the lineup as grad students. 2019 New England Rookie of the Year Matt Malcom (.371, 4 2B, 8 HR, 24 RBI, 25 R) is back behind the plate. Fellow All-LEC senior Aidan Dunn (5-0, 0.91 ERA, 43 K) and junior Billy Oldham (4-1, 3.39 ERA, 66 K) sit at the top of the rotation. Junior Nathan Furino (3-1, 2.28 ERA, 40 K) and senior Bryan Albee (4-1, 2.00 ERA, 31 K) will be key relievers again. Broadhurst, Oldham and outfielder Ryan Bagdasarian (.270, 9 2B, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 31 R) were Futures League All-Stars over the summer. Transfers include pitchers Jack Wallace, Tommy Benincaso and infielder Josh Tower.
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| Former Rhode Island College baseball standout Kyle Allaire '12, '15 has been named to the Little East Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2021 Rhode Island College athletics photo |
The Warriors fell short to another familiar team in postseason play as it was Southern Maine (34-11) emerging with a sixth tournament title and 25th NCAA tournament appearance. While legendary coach Ed Flaherty loses the likes of All-American ace Ben Lambert, All-New England infielders Andrew Olszak and Andrew Hillier, and power-hitting outfielder Dylan Hapworth, the Huskies will be led by reigning New England Rookie of the Year Cam Seymour (.332, 19 2B, 14 HR, 59 RBI, 41 R) and All-New England third-team outfielder Sam Troiano (.282, 11 2B, 1 3B, 9 HR, 33 RBI, 46 R). Seniors Josh Joy (4-4, 3.39 ERA, 56 K) and James Sinclair (4-0, 2.30 ERA, 37 K) top the rotation after winning four games apiece last year, while sophomore Bryce Afthim (10-1, 1 SV, 2.47 ERA, 53 K) immediately emerged as a relief ace and earned three more wins than any pitcher in New England.
Rhode Island College (24-11) looks to have another strong season after finishing second in the conference for the first time since 2015. The Anchormen boast one of New England’s top arms in reigning NECBL All-Star and All-LEC first-team reliever Shaun Gamelin (3-0, 4 SV, 2.89 ERA, 42 K) and a All-LEC third-team designated hitter Jarrad Grossguth (.307, 5 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 28 RBI, 31 R). Sophomore first baseman Cal Parrillo (.331, 7 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 34 RBI) and Cameron Santerre (.350, 7 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 39 R, 15 SB) are the team’s top two returning hitters. The rotation looks well stocked with the likes of junior Connor Davey (4-4, 4.43 ERA, 40 K) and sophomores Andrew Sears (3-2, 4.55 ERA, 51 K), Terry Murray (3-1, 5.48 ERA, 22 K) and Mike Belcher (7 K, 5 IP). After challenging for the title last year, UMass Dartmouth (12-14) returns second-team outfielder D.J. Perron (.372, 11 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 19 RBI), who signed a late-summer contract to join pitcher Logan Maitland () in the prestigious Cape Cod League in 2021. Two pitchers looking to make an impact for the Corsairs are junior Ryan Qualey (1-0, 2.51 ERA, 30 K) and grad student Ryan Bruning (1-1, 3.22 ERA, 30 K).
UMass Boston (10-10) hopes to rise back up the standings behind the strength of a deep pitching staff and improved lineup. The Beacons have a junior trio of Alex Amalfi (1-2, 1.93 ERA, 34 K), Dillon Ryan (0-1, 4.29 ERA, 35 K) and Tim Cianciolo (0-2, 3.86 ERA, 25 K) all returning to the mound following 2021 Futures League All-Star performances. Joining Amalfi as 2021 All-LEC performers were third-team first baseman Craig Corliss (.361, 8 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 16 RBI, 17 R), who was the team’s leading hitter last year, and second-team catcher Nico Kydes (.200, 3 2B, 5 RBI). Transfer Drew Metzdorf (.313, 3 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 21 R at Plymouth State) was the All-LEC second-team second baseman. Seniors Steve Brookwell (.275, 7 RBI, 11 R) and Thomas Cue (.317, 6 2B, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 11 R) are both regulars in the outfield. Senior Dylan Fashempour returns from injury to round out the pitching rotation, while junior DJ Lopes (1-0, 3.24 ERA, 12 K) is the veteran in the bullpen.
The rest of the conference was looking up last season, but Castleton (9-24) was the sixth and final playoff team and hopes for continued strong play out of All-LEC third-team second baseman Reece de Castro (.297, 9 2B, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 22 R). Plymouth State (8-16) welcomes back junior outfielder Griffin Crane (.389, 9 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 22 R, 11 SB), who earned top honors during his sophomore season. Keene State (3-19) looks to rebuild as first-year coach Justin Blood inherits a number of key pieces including senior infielder Joe Barter (.273, 9 2B, 5 HR, 21 RBI, 16 R) and junior Josh Beayon (.306, 8 2B, 10 RBI, 16 R). Western Connecticut State (2-14) placed senior catcher Zach Edwards (.294, 3 2B, 1 RBI, 9 R) on the All-LEC third team.
FAVORITE: Eastern Connecticut State
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| Sean Devin appeared in 21 games for the Worcester State Lancers with a team-high 16 runs batted in. Worcester State athletics photo |
Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference: Salem State (13-10) finished one game behind the leader in the MASCAC standings last spring, but the Vikings pushed through when the games mattered most and won their fifth tournament crown. First-year head coach Jason Falcon returns 2019 national batting champion and All-New England infielder Traverse Briana (.333, 3 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 8 R) for his final graduate season, while pitcher Jack Sefrino (4-2, 1.88 ERA, 30 K) and second baseman Jake Boucher (.371, 4 2B, 14 RBI, 17 R) were two All-MASCAC performers as sophomores. Looking to follow up its first regular-season championship with a playoff crown is Fitchburg State (11-12). The Falcons, who won seven of their 10 league games, have to replace some key pieces including MASCAC Player of the Year Zachary May at first base and former All-New England outfielder Nicholas Cordeau, but fellow all-conference honoree Johan Asencio (.307, 7 2B, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 11 R) is back along the infield.
Westfield State (18-8) looks to bounce back from last season’s third-place finish after winning it all in tournament play for the fourth time in 2019, and it will have many key pieces to help in that quest. The Owls return the majority of their lineup from a season ago including speedy center fielder Nick Martin (.255, 5 2B, 11 RBI, 12 R, 8 SB) and fellow second-team All-MASCAC performers Casey Boudreau (.416, 8 2B, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 20 R) in the outfield and Patrick Jordan (3-2, 2.06 ERA, 37 K) on the mound. Jordan’s classmates Shane Bogli (4-1, 5.49 ERA, 45 K) and Nathan Langmeier (6-1, 3.52 ERA, 29 K) will also be back in the rotation. Catcher Nolan Florence (.262, 5 2B, 13 RBI, 13 R), third baseman Zack Graveline (.299, 5 2B, 5 RBI, 10 SB) and outfielder Ethan Day (.328, 5 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 13 R) also return.
The top arm in the conference last year belonged to Bridgewater State (11-18) in the person of now-senior Pitcher of the Year David Kerns (1-5, 2.62 ERA, 42 K). Worcester State (12-11) strives to compete for the top spot in the conference with 10 seniors on its roster. The Lancers have All-MASCAC second-team outfielder Thomas DiBattista (.324, 11 RBI, 11 SB) and designated hitter Sean Devin (.281, 2 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 16 RBI) returning for their senior seasons, while shortstop Chris Ausiello (.284, 11 RBI, 13 R) is a junior. Junior Ben Smith (1-1, 3.26 ERA, 21 K) and senior Joey Zawisza (1-0, 4.76 ERA, 5 K) are both expected to start on the mound.
Opposite to Worcester, Framingham State (10-17) will largely be a young team aside from MASCAC Rookie of the Year Scott Nosky (3-3, 3.71 ERA, 36 K). Mass Maritime (3-5) and MCLA (0-2) are both set to return to the field after having their 2021 seasons cut short.
FAVORITE: Westfield State
New England Collegiate Conference: Mitchell (26-9) went unbeaten on their way to a seventh-ever NECC title. All-American and repeat NECC Player of the Year Dougie DelaCruz (.430, 13 2B, 8 HR, 58 RBI, 39 R) returns to the outfield alongside fellow All-New England honoree Hunter Yaworski (.457, 9 2B, 8 HR, 39 RBI, 28 R), a Futures League All-Star over the summer. The Mariners look to fellow All-NECC first-teamer Camren Varney (5-0, 2.21 ERA, 35 K) to help lead the way on the mound after the junior pitched a complete game in the team’s NCAA tournament win over Merchant Marine. Third baseman Lelo Martinez (.353, 8 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 37 R) was another underclassman who earned conference honors in 2021.
The conference’s other consistent challenger has been New England College (16-15), which returns All-NECC senior first baseman Connor Morin (.314, 6 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 24 R, 9 SB) and junior outfielder Michael Ciccotelli (.311, 10 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 24 RBI) to the middle of the offensive lineup. The Pilgrims welcome back two veteran pitchers from last season in senior Shaun Cormier (3-2, 3.56 ERA, 43 K) and junior Wyatt Cameron (2-4, 6.89 ERA, 32 K) and will benefit from 2018 New England Rookie of the Year Shayne Audet’s (4-1, 2.48 ERA, 76 K in 2019) return from injury. NECC Rookie of the Year Garrett Langis is a key loss from the infield, but there is a strong mix of experienced players and newcomers that should help NEC’s goals of returning to its 2019 championship form.
With Elms moving to the GNAC and Becker closing its doors, Eastern Nazarene (7-9) and Lesley (2-14) round out the NECC lineup for 2022. Eastern Nazarene returns a two-time All-NECC arm in Briley Seiter (1-0, 0.71 ERA, 13 K).
FAVORITE: Mitchell
University Athletic Association: With the traditional UAA season canceled, Brandeis (12-3) led the conference in hitting (.328 average, 9.4 runs per game) and ranked second in ERA (3.77) while playing a local schedule in 2021. The Judges placed a handful of players on the All-UAA squad including graduate outfielder Dan Frey (.354, 8 2B, 15 RBI, 7 SB), catcher Luke Hall (.362, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 17 R), outfielder Mike Khoury (.362, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 20 R) and junior third baseman Brian King (.421, 1 HR, 14 RBI). Asher Kaplan (3-1, 2.78 ERA, 19 K) helped lead the pitching staff as just a sophomore. Khoury is the program’s first four-time All-UAA honoree.