FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Marist baseball head coach Dennis Healy has announced the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. The signing of all six players helps to solidify the future of the Red Foxes; the team loses eight players to graduation this spring. “Our assistant coaches, Joe Michalski and Tom Shanley, did an outstanding job with these six players,” Healy said. “We are extremely excited they are attending Marist next year.”
The class includes right-handed pitchers Chris Bielak and Brett Houseal, first baseman Mike Orefice, outfielder Shane Matthews, infielder Zach Shank and infielder/outfielder Mark Stuckey. They will all begin their respective campaigns at Marist in the fall of 2009.
Chris Bielak – RHP / UTIL – 6’1″ / 170 – Metuchen, N.J. / St. Joe’s
Bielak posted a 3-2 record with an ERA of 3.00 as a junior. He was a 2007-08 Jersey Shore All-Star in the fall and was named Honorable Mention All-County. A three-year letterwinnner, Bielak also contributed with the bat, hitting .306 with 17 stolen bases last season. He played at the SelectFest showcase as a member of the Iron 9 team.
Brett Houseal – RHP – 6’4″ / 225 – Landisville, Pa. / Hempfield
Houseal had an outstanding season on the mound this past season, going 10-3 with an ERA of 1.40. He earned First Team All-State and First Team All-County honors, was voted the most outstanding pitcher at his high school and was named a top prospect by Baseball Factory in Trenton, N.J., this past July. Also a threat as a hitter, Houseal was named First Team All-League as a first baseman last year. He participated in the Keystone Game and pitched for PA Select this past fall.
Mike Orefice – 1B – 5’11” / 180 – Wappingers Falls, N.Y. / Roy C. Ketcham
Since joining the varsity team at Ketcham, Orefice has started all of his team’s games. A left-handed hitter and fielder, Orefice hit .400 with six homers last year as he earned All-County and All-League honors. He was also a member of the Hudson Valley gold medal squad at this past year’s Empire State Games.
Shane Matthews – OF – 5’10” / 170 – Saratoga, N.Y. / Saratoga Central Catholic
Matthews has started every game as a member of his school’s varsity team. Serving as a team captain in 2008, he hit .518 with 44 hits and 17 steals. He was named All-State, All-Area and All-Conference, and was honored as Player of the Year by the Saratogian. The previous year, he was named All-Area and All-Conference as his team won the sectional championship. He helped his team win the silver medal in the Empire State Games.
Mark Stuckey – INF / OF – 5’11” / 175 – Lititz, Pa. / Warwick
Last season, Stuckey set a school record by belting 14 doubles and tied a school record by scoring 29 runs. He hit .395 while batting leadoff and playing second base for all of his team’s varsity games, helping lead the team to its first AAAA District title. Additionally, he helped his Legion squad earn its first regional championship. Stuckey also played for PA Select and attended the Perfect Game National Showcase game at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn. Stuckey is ranked 319th nationally and 11th in Pennsylvania by Perfect Game.
Zach Shank – SS – 6’2″ / 180 – Lititz, Pa. / Warwick
Shank hit .403 with a slugging percentage of .675 as his high school’s team third hitter last year, while driving in 27 runs. He was named First Team All-League, First Team All-Section and a district and region All-Star. The previous season, he was named First Team All-League as he hit .372 while playing every game at shortstop. He also played for Tri-State Arsenal and PA Select, and is ranked 22nd in Pennsylvania by Perfect Game.
