Head Coach Patrick Anderson- Hofstra
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
Hempstead, NY —
Hofstra University first-year Head Baseball Coach Patrick Anderson and his staff (Assistant Coaches John Russo and Marshall Canosa) today announced the signing of their initial recruiting class at the University. The nine-member class, consisting of Andrew Barbarino (Endwell, NY), Joe Burg (Lindenhurst, IL), David D’Errico (North Kingstown, RI), Chris “CJ” Ferriggi (North Bellmore, NY), Matt Ford (Ithaca, NY), Jared Hammer (Flemington, NJ), John Krause (Wantagh, NY), Cody Normand (North Kingstown, RI) and Jared Rogers (Flemington, NJ), signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period last week. The nine will begin their academic and athletic careers at Hofstra in the fall 2009.
“As a staff, we are quite pleased with our initial recruiting class as it addresses several needs,” Anderson said. “Playing in the Colonial Athletic Association, we felt that we needed to bolster our pitching staff. With seven of the nine incoming student-athletes pitchers, we think we accomplished that goal. I believe we also added talent on the offensive side, as well as shoring up our defense up the middle.”
“In addition, we are also excited to have two local players from Long Island as part of the class as we will always make recruiting players on the Island one of our top priorities. Character was a big factor in our recruiting process as well,” Anderson commented. “At Hofstra, we want players that will set good examples on and off the baseball field, and understand the importance of being a good teammate. In what is a testament to the parents of our incoming class, we feel that these student-athletes possess these important traits.”
Barbarino will join the Pride after earning 11 letters as a member of the baseball, hockey and football teams at Maine-Endwell High School in Endwell, NY. The 6-foot, 3-inch right-handed hurler is coming off a stellar junior campaign that saw him post a 5-1 record in helping the Spartans win New York’s Class A State championship. Barbarino was a second team All-New York State selection in 2008 and also earned first team all-conference accolades. In making his decision to attend Hofstra, Barbarino cited the new coaching staff and the University’s location.
Anderson on Barbarino: “Andrew has the knack of knowing how to flat out pitch. He possesses the ability and confidence to throw any pitch at any count during any time of a game. Andrew’s makeup and overall mentality remind me of Zach Greinke’s (Kansas City Royals). We are very excited to have a player of his magnitude.”
Burg, a 5-10 left-handed pitcher from Carmel High School in Mundelein, IL, has seen limited action during his last two seasons after suffering a knee injury as a sophomore. But he has produced when he has taken the hill, going 3-1 in his two varsity seasons with 28 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings. In his first varsity start, as a sophomore in 2007, Burg threw a no-hitter. As a freshman playing on the sophomore team, he compiled a 5-1 record with 55 strikeouts in 35 innings. A gifted student, Burg earned superior honors at Carmel and is an AP Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. Burg, who plans to pursue a career in nanotechnology, stated that Coach Anderson’s arrival presented a great opportunity for him, as did Hofstra’s highly respected academic reputation.
Anderson on Burg: “Joe is a huge addition for us, seeing that he is the only left-handed pitcher in our freshman class. Joe is the epitome of a student-athlete and is as good in the classroom as he is on the mound. We look forward to him continuing his academic and athletic successes at Hofstra next year.”
D’Errico, a pitcher and first baseman, lettered in baseball and football at North Kingstown (RI) High School. The 6-0, right-hander compiled a 1.89 ERA and 47 strikeouts as a junior in helping the Skippers to a second consecutive South Division championship. He also contributed a .464 batting average, eight home runs and 36 RBIs to earn first team All-Rhode Island honors from the Providence Journal, Rhode Island Coaches Association Most Outstanding Player accolades and the team Most Valuable Player Award. A second team all-state selection as a sophomore, D’Errico has also been a two-time all-star selection by the Rhode Island Coaches Association and a three-time all-division selection.
Anderson on D’Errico: “David has the desire to compete both on the mound and at the plate at the highest level. He is the epitome of a blue-collar player as well as an excellent athlete with off the chart intangibles that will help our program immediately.”
Ferriggi, who pitches and plays shortstop and third base, will come to Hofstra from Kellenberg Memorial High School in Uniondale, NY. The right-hander enters his final scholastic season looking to build off of a tremendous junior year, when he recorded a 1.35 ERA with a 4-2 record with 60 strikeouts in 39 innings. Ferriggi also batted .315 despite playing in a wooden-bat league and was a first team All-Long Island selection at shortstop. In addition to baseball, he also letters in football and basketball. He has been a two-year captain on the baseball team and captained the football team in 2008. In choosing to attend Hofstra, Ferriggi cited the educational opportunities offered and the feeling of being part of Coach Anderson’s first recruiting class.
Anderson on Ferriggi: “CJ is a tremendous athlete who possesses leadership skills on the mound and as a position player. CJ will come into this program and make an immediate and positive impact in many ways. A player who hails from such a strong program like Kellenberg will help us tremendously.”
Ford, a shortstop, is a three-sport (baseball, football, basketball) star at Lansing High School in Lansing, NY, and is coming off a junior season in which he earned Interscholastic Athletic Conference All-Star honors after batting .416 with 42 hits, 52 runs and nine stolen bases. Ford comes from a baseball family as his father, Tom, is the associate head coach at Cornell and also served as head coach of the Big Red. Ford selected Hofstra because of his relationship with the coaching staff and the quality of play in the CAA.
Anderson on Ford: “Matt has the instincts to play this game that you cannot teach and he possesses the ability to be a four-year starter at shortstop. We are honored to have Coach Tom Ford’s son as a part of our program. Coach Ford has provided Matt with a tremendous amount of baseball knowledge that will benefit our program immediately.”
Hammer is a versatile player entering his senior season at Hunterdon Central Regional High School in Flemington, NJ, playing five positions for the Red Devils although he will likely concentrate on the corner infield positions for the Pride. Hammer earned all-conference and All-West Jersey honors in 2008 after hitting .430 with 40 RBIs and a .616 slugging percentage, helping the Red Devils to the New Jersey Group IV state championship. He was also presented Hunterdon Central’s Gold Glove Award.
Anderson on Hammer: “Jared is a big, strong, versatile athlete who has power potential and could be a middle of the lineup type of hitter before too long. Jared is an outstanding defensive first baseman and has the leadership qualities which will help our program immensely.”
Krause, a 6-4, 220-pound right-handed pitcher, will join the Pride from MacArthur High School in Levittown, NY. In his first varsity season in 2008, Krause went 5-3 with a 2.00 ERA to earn all-league honors. He shined in the playoffs, throwing 20 innings without allowing an earned run as the General’s advanced to the Nassau County finals. Krause chose Hofstra due to it being the best fit academically and athletically.
Anderson on Krause: “We are very excited to have a potential closer like John to come in and finish games. He has the potential to be a power pitcher in the CAA and a key player for us out of the bullpen. Bringing in a quality student-athlete from such a well known program like MacArthur’s reinforces our commitment to keeping the top Long Island talent at home.”
Normand is a three-sport (baseball, football, basketball) standout, and teammate of fellow recruit David D’Errico, at North Kingstown (RI) High School, where he earned All-Rhode Island first team honors in 2008 after posting an 8-1 record and a 2.10 ERA. A three-time Rhode Island Coaches Association All-Star and All-Division 1 selection, Normand has compiled a career mark of 21-5 with a 1.90 ERA and 165 strikeouts in 180 2/3 innings pitched. In selecting Hofstra, Normand cited the academic fit and location of the University, as well as being impressed by Coach Anderson and his connection to his future teammates.
Anderson on Normand:”Cody is a bulldog on the mound and being a freshman will not change his mentality. We are excited to have that type of attitude on the mound for the next four years. Having played for a strong program at North Kingstown, he knows what it takes for a team to succeed.”
Rogers, a 6-3 right-handed pitcher, rounds out the recruiting class. A teammate of Jared Hammer’s at Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Rogers earned all-conference, All-West Jersey and all-area honors after notching a 10-1 record, one save and a 2.00 ERA. He racked up six complete games, while striking out 46 batters in 58 innings en route to Pitcher of the Year accolades. A member of the New Jersey Group IV state championship team in 2008, Rogers chose Hofstra to be part of the new coaching staff’s plan to revitalize the program.
Anderson on Rogers: “Jared is a proven winner and carries all the intangibles that we look for in a pitcher. Jared competes and can pitch under any circumstance. He is relentless on the mound and we look forward to seeing it for the next four years.”
