FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Marist Director of Athletics Tim Murray announced the hiring of Chris Tracz as head baseball coach on Wednesday. Tracz pitched at Marist from 2001-05 and holds the program’s career records for victories, strikeouts, complete games, starts and innings pitched. He also served as the Red Foxes’ pitching coach from 2006-08 before spending this past season as Army’s pitching coach.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Chris back to the Marist community, as he was such a big part of our baseball team’s competitive tradition,” Murray said. “I have every confidence that Chris will continue to build our young baseball program.”
In his Marist playing career, Tracz won 38 games. He struck out 298 batters in 379.1 innings pitched, making 56 starts and completing 14 of them. His earned run average of 3.13 is second in program history. The Red Foxes qualified for NCAA Regional play three times in his career – in 2001, 2002 and 2005.
Tracz was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2002 and 2005. He was also named MAAC Rookie of the Year in 2001, a year in which he was also named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to return to my alma mater and to a place that has been so special to me,” Tracz said. “I look forward to continuing the tradition of success that the Marist baseball program has enjoyed since the mid-90s.”
Upon the completion of his playing career, Tracz became the Red Foxes’ pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. Under his tutelage, the Red Foxes improved their team ERA by nearly a full run between the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Also in the 2008 season, pitcher Josh Rickards was named First Team All-MAAC.
This past season, Tracz moved across the Hudson River to Army, as he became the Black Knights’ pitching coach. Army won the Patriot League regular season and tournament championships and advanced the NCAA Regional final before bowing out to Texas, the tournament’s top overall seed. The Black Knights had two pitchers earn First Team All-League honors, including Ben Koenigsfeld, who became the first player in league history to earn First Team All-League at two different positions in the same season. Additionally, Tyler Anderegg was named the Patriot League Reliever of the Year.
The Marist baseball team compiled a 31-28 record in 2008, earning its sixth NCAA Regional berth in program history. The Red Foxes had previously reached the NCAA Tournament in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2005.
