FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
Stony Brook, N.Y. – Stony Brook head baseball coach Matt Senk announced on Thursday that assistant coach Joe Pennucci has been promoted to associate head coach. Pennucci recently completed his sixth season on the Seawolves staff.
The Seawolves recruiting coordinator, Pennucci has been instrumental in the program’s success since his arrival. Stony Brook has been to three NCAA Regionals in his tenure including this year’s memorable run to the College World Series when SB won a school record and NCAA-best 52 games.
Pennucci has shown that he can recruit and help develop players who can play at the next level as Stony Brook had a record seven players taken in the 2012 MLB Draft including the program’s first-ever first-round selection in Travis Jankowski.
Over his six years at Stony Brook, the Seawolves have had a national player of the year, six All-Americans, and five freshman All-Americans. Stony Brook has also taken home a combined eight America East Player, Pitcher and Rookie of the Year awards.
In addition to his duties as recruiting coordinator, Pennucci works with hitters and is responsible for overall team defense. This past season the Seawolves ranked in the top 10 in the nation in nine offensive categories including batting average, scoring and hits and were 10th in fielding percentage after leading the country in the category in 2011.
“Joe is very deserving of this promotion,” Senk said. “He has done an outstanding job in all areas of our program especially working with our position players and recruiting. As our recruiting coordinator, Joe has brought in some exceptional student-athletes, highlighted by Travis Jankowski being Stony Brook’s first-ever first-round pick [in the MLB Draft]. I couldn’t be more excited for Joe, his family and our program.”
Prior to his time at Stony Brook, he served as the associate head baseball coach and recruiting coordinator for the Dominican College Chargers in Orangeburg, N.Y. for two seasons.
The Chargers won two conference championships and received an NCAA Regional bid in 2006 after posting a 42-19 record. Pennucci helped the Chargers win 69 games in two seasons.
Pennucci started his college playing career at Garden City Community College in Kansas. After one season at GCCC he played three seasons at Dana College in Blair, Neb. where he was an all-conference catcher.
He graduated with a psychology degree from the University of Northern Colorado and earned his Masters of Arts liberal studies from Stony Brook University.
