FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
Courtesy of Hartford Media Relations
West Hartford, CT – University of Hartford baseball coach Jeff Calcaterra announced the addition of five student-athletes who will join the baseball program in the fall of 2009. All five incoming players signed National Letters of Intent on the first day of the signing period November 12th.
This year’s recruiting effort has once again broadened the scope of the baseball teams’ demographics by adding a player from Connecticut and the four surrounding states. Wearing the red and white for the 2010 season will be Andrew Barry (Boxford, MA), Tyler Corsi (Cranston, RI), Vincent Fiore (Brooklyn, NY), Anthony Mannuccia (Danbury, CT), and Brian Rice (Cherry Hill, NJ).
“The coaching staff and I are truly excited about this year’s recruiting class,” said Calcaterra. “We identified pitching as our main focus going into 2009 and have added four quality arms that will be the future of our staff. The coaches and I are extremely proud to have added such solid young men who carry with them a passion to play this game as well as strong academic backgrounds. We expect that these five players will have a major impact in the program during their first campaign. We look forward to their arrival and the positive changes they will bring to our program next fall.”
Meet the new Hawks for 2010:
Andrew Barry • 6’2” • 210 • Left/Right • 1B/C • Boxford, MA • Masconomet Regional High School
Andrew Barry comes to Hartford from Boxford, MA and Masconomet High School. He lettered two years in football and four years in baseball under head coach Joe Marchesi. Andrew played in the AAU junior Olympics batting .444 and belting four home runs. His brother Devin is a current member of the baseball program at Northeastern University. Andrew’s father, Pat, also played baseball at Northeastern (79-82). He plans on majoring in business while at Hartford. Andrew is the son of Brenda and Pat Barry.
Coach Cal on Andrew: Andrew is a solid individual who will add a strong left handed hitting prospect to the lineup. He also provides us with a unique situation as he has the aptitude to catch, the speed to play a corner outfield spot, and the athleticism to play in the infield. Andrew will give our team versatility. We look forward to the contributions Andrew will make for our team next season and we are excited about the career he will have as a Hawk.
Andrew on coming to Hartford: The University of Hartford’s baseball program has its best days ahead of them, with a new Coach, Jeff Calcaterra and staff. Hartford has one of the best baseball fields in New England and is part of the America East Conferences (Division I) that is very competitive. I am extremely excited to become a Hawk, and play with the Red and White.
The University of Hartford has a great business program (Barney School) which is my key area of interest. Another area of interest for me is Law. The University offers a pre-law program which I am excited to be introduced to, and would like to minor in. My intention is to graduate from Hartford and use the education received to develop my business knowledge to enable me to become a successful business man.”
Tyler Corsi • 6’3” • 190 • Right/Right • RHP • Cranston, RI • Cranston High School West
Tyler Corsi comes to Hartford from Cranston, RI and Cranston West High School. He has lettered in basketball (two years) and track (two years) but has played baseball all four years under head coach Rob Malo. Tyler was selected to the IRSL Division I All-Star team and a member of the Rhode Island Division I state champions in 2006 and 2007 with a final four appearance in 2008. He is a member of the National Honor society, Spanish Honor Society, and Rhode Island Honor Society. He plans on majoring in business while at Hartford. Tyler is the son of Kim and Mike Corsi.
Coach Cal on Tyler: Tyler is a talented young man academically and athletically. He will enter the program as one of the most polished pitchers we have recruited to Hartford and should fight for a starting spot. He has three very good pitches and can throw them all for strikes. As Tyler grows and matures, I see great things from him and our staff. We are thrilled that Tyler has decided to join our program and we are excited about the impact he will have the next four years.
Tyler on coming to Hartford: The reason I chose the University of Hartford is because after visiting the school and learning about the baseball program, I felt this was a good fit for me academically and athletically. I feel I have a great opportunity to improve my skills as a pitcher while pursuing my goals in the Barney School of Business. My expectations for my career at Hartford are to be a vital part of the pitching staff every year and make a contribution to a winning team. My expectations for the program are to be able to play postseason baseball and contend for a championship.
Vincent Fiore • 5’10” • 200 • Left/Left • LHP • Brooklyn, NY • Monroe College
Vincent Fiore comes to Hartford from Brooklyn, NY and Monroe College where he has been the ace for head coach Luis Melendez. He was 6-0 with a 1.20 ERA last season at Monroe and won the teams Cy Young award. Vinny threw 46 innings in seven starts with four complete games and three shutouts. In high school (New Utrecht), Vinny won the MVP and was sixth in New York City in strikeouts. He plans on majoring in criminal justice while at Hartford. Vincent is the son of Geraldine Caradonna and Mike Fiore.
Coach Cal on Vincent: Vincent is a gritty, tough left handed pitcher who will give us instant punch on the staff. His passion and competitive nature makes him a great fit in our program. He has three quality pitches and should vie for a starting role next season. We are excited to have Vinny join our program next year and we look forward to watching the impact he will have the next two seasons at Hartford.
Vincent on coming to Hartford: I chose the University of Hartford because I want to continue my career in baseball and in the classroom. I think Hartford will help me in baseball because it’s Division I and we compete with the best teams out there. I think Hartford will help me in the classroom because the University is one of the best academic schools on the East coast. I am happy and excited to play for Coach Cal because I believe we can win the first America East Conference title in program history. I love to win and I’m going to expect nothing less from myself. I’m looking forward to the fall of 2009 and to playing for Coach Cal and the University of Hartford.
Anthony Mannuccia • 6’0” • 190 • Right/Right • RHP/INF • Danbury, CT • Danbury High School
Anthony Mannuccia comes to Hartford from Danbury, CT and Danbury High School. He has played four years of baseball at Danbury under head coach Shaun Ratchford. Anthony was selected All-Conference in the FCIAC and voted All-Area in 2008. He led the greater New Haven League this fall with a .604 batting average and went 7-1 with a 1.45 ERA. Anthony is a member of the National Babe Ruth Umpire Association and umpires little league up to American legion games. He plans on majoring in business while at Hartford. Anthony is the son of Josephine and Anthony Mannuccia.
Coach Cal on Anthony: Anthony is a well rounded student-athlete as he enters college. He is a good athlete who possesses a very strong arm and tremendous bat speed. He will be a very versatile player at Hartford. Anthony will come in primarily as a pitcher but has bat speed and athleticism to play a position as well. He will work defensively at the corners of the infield and/or outfield. We are excited to have Anthony join our program next year and we look forward to watching him excel in all facets of the game.
Anthony on coming to Hartford: Academically, I wanted a school that would prepare me for my future life in the business world. Athletically, I wanted a coach that would push me to succeed and give me an opportunity to excel. The facilities are beautiful and unmatched throughout the Northeast. The University of Hartford had just what I was looking for. It has a small school atmosphere and the Barney Business School has a great reputation. My goal is to succeed both in the classroom and on the baseball field and I am looking forward to my next four years at Hartford.”
Brian Rice • 6’1” • 185 • Right/Right • RHP/INF • Cherry Hill, NJ • Camden Catholic High School
Brian Rice comes to Hartford from Cherry Hill, NJ and Camden Catholic High School. Brian has lettered in three years of basketball and four years of baseball at Camden Catholic under head coach Robert Moffett. He was selected Firs Team All-Olympic Conference in 2008 and First Team All-Tournament team in a 15U AAU National Championship in 2007. Brian went 7-3 with a 2.86 ERA while hitting .431 in his junior season. Brian’s grandfather, Jack Rice, played semi-professional baseball for the Olney Vets. Brian is a member of the National Honor Society and the Green and White Society. He plans on majoring in business while at Hartford. Brian is the son of Audrey and Daniel Rice.
Coach Cal on Brian: Brian is a solid and mature young man who possesses a very strong arm and athleticism. He will come to Hartford as primarily a pitcher, but will work as an infielder as well. He brings with him a fastball in the upper 80’s and has two secondary pitches that can get hitters out at the collegiate level. Brian will be a foundation piece of our staff for the next four years and should make an impact on the mound for us right away. We are thrilled that Brian has chosen Hartford to continue his career and look forward to the contributions he will make.
Brian on coming to Hartford: I chose Hartford because of its great educational and athletic opportunity. I expect to play a significant role in the turn around that Coach Calcaterra has initiated. My goal is to help the team improve every year that I am at Hartford.
