Canisius (2018 Record: 35-22, 16-8)
Last year Canisius had great success finishing tied with the most conference wins and then they breezed through the MAAC Tournament, earning a trip to the regionals.
Returning Players
Outfielders Mark McKenna, Canice Ejoh, and Jake Burlingame will be a big part of the lineup in 2019. They are all very talented players who will do a lot with their speed. McKenna hit .333 last season with 38 runs scored and 13 stolen bases. Ejoh scored 31 runs and stole 15 bases. Burlingame is considered the best defender on the team. Shortstop Conner Morro hit .342 last year with 35 runs scored, 12 doubles, 30 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. Stephen Bennett (3B) and William Krull (C) will be counted on to step up in the middle of the order this season.
Andrew Sipowicz will return to the weekend rotation after posting a 5.65 ERA a season ago in 63.2 innings pitched with 48 strikeouts. Andrew Kneussle will likely move into a weekend role after posting a 4.82 ERA last year in 52.1 innings with 31 strikeouts. Will Frank is likely to move to the closer role this season after posting a 3.02 ERA in 2018 over 41.2 innings pitched with 48 strikeouts and 3 saves. Jared Kennedy posted a 3.82 ERA in 37.2 innings last year with 39 strikeouts and will be a big piece in the bullpen once again.
Newcomers
“Freshmen Dylan Vincent, Kyle Kush and Trevor Henneman will look to add to the lineup, with the utilityman Vincent currently projected to start at first base for the Griffs and Kush providing a secondary option at second. Mike Steffan and Cole Hollins, who both redshirted in 2018, are expected to add to the team’s offense. Freshman pitchers Andrew Fron, a hard throwing tall righty, and David Yankowski will add to the deep bullpen. JUCO transfers Andy Leader and Noah Thompson should also provide some impact around the diamond and at the dish.” – Quote provided by Canisius Athletics Department
Outlook for 2019
“A lot of skill returns, but it’s a different skillset from last year. More speed and ability to put the ball in play makes up for less power. Have experienced players who were behind experienced players before. These role players need to embrace the spotlight. Pitching staff is still strong. Newcomers will make impact. Waiting on new leadership to develop in void of graduated class.” – Quote provided by Canisius Athletics Department
Fairfield (2018 Record: 22-29, 9-14)
Fairfield finished ninth in the conference last season and missed out on the MAAC Tournament.
Returning Players
Shortstop Jack Gethings will be back in the middle of the order after hitting .293 last year with 38 runs scored, 3 home runs, and 30 RBI. Outfielder Tim Zeng and third baseman Anthony Boselli will take on bigger roles in the lineup this year. Ian Halpin is a two-way player who hit .305 in just 59 at-bats last year, while posting a 1.77 ERA in 20.1 innings pitched with 14 strikeouts and a save.
John Signore will lead the weekend rotation after posting a 2.93 ERA in 2018 over 83 innings pitched with 91 strikeouts. Austin Pope had a 2.98 ERA a season ago in 48.1 innings with 48 strikeouts. Try McLoughlin made 10 starts last year and figures to work his way into the weekend rotation.
Newcomers
Mike Sansone (LHP – FR), Mike Caruso (C), Justin Guerrera (INF – FR),
Outlook for 2019
The coaching staff would like to see them get more production with runners on base. They also hope to have more depth and skill at third and second base this year.
Iona (2018 Record: 16-31, 10-13)
It was a tough year for Iona as they finished eighth in the MAAC and missed out on the season tournament.
Returning Players
Coach Panik is looking for a bounce-back season from catcher Fran Kinsey who hit just .219 last season. He will take on a big role in the offense in 2019.
Steve Hansen and Mario Ferraioli will have a chance to be weekend starters. Hansen had a 4.24 ERA last year in 46.2 innings pitched with 21 strikeouts. Ferraioli had a 0.72 ERA in 37.2 innings with 35 strikeouts. JT Gosweiler and Antonio Velardi will be key arms in the back of the bullpen for Iona this season.
Newcomers
“Juco Transfer Chris Dodrill will look to have a big impact on the mound. Freshmen Hunter Sibley, Paul Sullivan, Drew Helmstetter will have meaningful innings for us this year.” – Head Coach Paul Panik
Outlook for 2019
Head coach Paul Panik said his team hopes to be better offensively. He also wants to see them play full game as a team and learn how to win.
Manhattan (2018 Record: 25-28, 13-11)
Despite finishing with a winning record in conference play, Manhattan was the left out of the MAAC Tournament.
Returning Players
First baseman Richie Barrella is back to lead the offense after hitting .309 a year ago. Matt Padre was second on the team last year with a .298 average to go along with 29 runs scored, 4 home runs, and 25 RBI. Will Trochiano only got 93 at-bats last year but hit .333 with 23 runs scored.
T.J. Stuart will be back to lead the pitching staff. He posted a 2.57 ERA last year in 63 innings pitched with 50 strikeouts and 10 saves. Marc Galvan made nine starts last year and posted a 4.70 ERA in 51.2 innings pitched with 33 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Shawn Blake is a transfer that has a chance to earn some playing time at first base. Freshman Nick Cimillo could have an impact on the lineup right away, as could infielder Jonathan Barditch.
Left-handed pitcher John Cain is a transfer who will have a big impact this season.
Outlook for 2019
The coaching staff would obviously love to see the team improve their win-loss percentage in 2019. They can do that by improving offensively, while adding more depth to the roster.
Marist (2018 Record: 27-23, 14-10)
Marist finished fifth in the MAAC and made it into the MAAC Tournament where they went 1-2.
Returning Players
Second baseman Anthony Lazar will be back atop the lineup for his senior season after hitting .305 last year with 30 runs scored, 11 doubles, 6 home runs, and 28 RBI. Randy Taveras will join him up the middle at shortstop after leading the team with a .308 average in 2018 to go along with 3 home runs and 14 stolen bases. Outfielder Frankie Gregoire hit .282 last year with 29 runs scored, 5 home runs, and 35 RBI. Tyler Kapuscinski hit .366 with 3 home runs and 30 RBI in just 131 at-bats.
Tony Romanelli should lead the weekend rotation after posting a 3.94 ERA in 2018 over 82.1 innings pitched with 70 strikeouts. Conor McNamara stared 13 games last year with a 5.56 ERA in 69.2 innings with 43 strikeouts. Skyler Pichardo could either take over as closer or move into a starter role after posting a 4.10 ERA last year in 37.1 innings pitched with 36 strikeouts.
Outlook for 2019
There is a solid group of players coming back this season who have a lot of experience and success. I expect this team to be much improved in 2019.
Monmouth (2018 Record: 30-25, 16-7)
It was a great 2018 season for Monmouth as they finished with the best winning percentage in the conference. They were the number one seed in the MAAC Tournament but couldn’t get by Canisius losing to them twice.
Returning Players
Shortstop Danny Long will hit at the top of the lineup again after batting .286 a season ago with 47 runs scored, 11 doubles, 5 home runs, and 21 RBI. Outfielder Kyle Norman hit .298 last year with 42 runs scored, 12 doubles, 4 home runs, and 41 RBI. Zach Schild should be back behind the plate after hitting .328 a season ago.
Dan Klepchick will try to build off an excellent freshman season in which he posted a 3.47 ERA in 85.2 innings pitched with 78 strikeouts. Tyler Ksiazek will likely get a shot in the weekend rotation.
Outlook for 2019
They will have to replace some key pieces from last year’s team if they are going to finish near the top of the conference once again.
Niagara (2018 Record: 24-27, 13-11)
Niagara snuck into the MAAC Tournament last year as the six-seed but lost a close game to the eventual champion and went two-and-out.
Returning Players
Pete Battaglia hit .357 last year with 36 runs scored, 7 home runs, and 49 RBI. He was limited down the stretch but should be healthy for the start of the season. Second baseman Michael Gabriele hit .280 a season ago with 35 runs scored, 10 doubles, and 24 RBI. Outfielder Benny Serrano will be a big part of the lineup as well.
Matt Brash and Ben Erwin will likely get a shot in the weekend rotation. Brash posted a 5.14 ERA in 2018 over 28 innings pitched with 31 strikeouts, while Erwin had a 4.39 ERA in 55.1 innings with 31 strikeouts and a save.
Newcomers
Max Giordano (SS/RHP – FR), Tommy Bednarski (RHP – FR), and Yohn Zapata (RHP/OF).
Outlook for 2019
The team believes they were on the cusp of something special in 2018 if they could have had better depth in their pitching staff. That is the one area they hope to improve the most on in 2019.
Quinnipiac (2018 Record: 26-30, 16-8)
Quinnipiac entered the MAAC Tournament as the two-seed after a nice regular season, but they went just 1-2 in the tournament as they lost to the one and three seeds.
Returning Players
Outfielder Brian Moskey hit .312 last year with 39 runs scored, 13 doubles, 4 home runs, 33 RBI, and 10 stolen bases. Third baseman Evan Vulgamore hit .298 a season ago with 35 runs scored, 11 doubles, 10 home runs, and 40 RBI. Liam Scafariello returns to the outfield after hitting .232 with 15 home runs and 45 RBI last season. Andre Marrero and Dylan Lutz return atop the lineup as well.
Tyler Poulin will have to lead the weekend rotation with their two other starters departing. Poulin had a 5.02 ERA last year in 80.2 innings pitched with 86 strikeouts. Colin Donnelly was solid out of the bullpen last year with a 2.53 ERA in 21.1 innings with 18 strikeouts.
Outlook for 2019
This team very well could have the most powerful offense in the conference. The question will be if they can find enough pitching to keep the other team off the board.
Rider (2018 Record: 12-35, 7-16)
It was a disappointing season for Rider as they won just five games out-of-conference, but didn’t do much better in conference place finishing next to last.
Returning Players
Outfielder Joe Simone is back after hitting .331 a year ago with 34 runs scored. Third baseman Kyle Johnson hit .244 last year with 2 home runs. Riley Mihalik hit .281 in 2018 with 7 home runs and 31 RBI.
Pete Soporowski made 13 starts last year and had a 5.35 ERA in 65.2 innings pitched with 48 strikeouts. Jordadn Silverman had a 5.72 ERA in 61.1 innings pitched with 34 strikeouts. Vincent Vitacco is expected to take on a bigger role in the pitching staff.
Newcomers
Mike Ionta is a transfer who will have a chance to come in and earn the catcher job right away. Jack Peterson is another transfer who will compete for time all over the field. Alex Diamantis is a freshman outfielder who will push for playing time. Colin Eiser is a two-way freshman that could see time in the field and on the mound.
Outlook for 2019
Head Coach Barry Davis hopes to see his team do a better job of finishing games in 2019.
Saint Peter’s (2018 Record: 2-42, 2-22)
To say 2018 wasn’t good to Saint Peter’s would be an understatement. They didn’t win a single out-of-conference game, and only won two conference games as they finished last in the MAAC.
Returning Players
Jared Quintero is a two-way player who will have a major impact in the lineup and in the pitching staff during his senior season. Hunter Mason and Anthony Ramos also return to the lineup.
Joe Albunia and Steve Epstein combined to make 13 starts last year and both should get another shot in the weekend rotation.
Outlook for 2019
There is only way for this team to go in 2019, and that’s up.
Siena (2018 Record: 21-35, 14-10)
Siena starter the season 0-17 and didn’t win a game until conference play started. But there, they had a winning record and were the fourth seed in the MAAC Tournament.
Returning Players
Third baseman Brian Kelly returns after hitting .295 a year ago with 2 home runs and 32 RBI. Matt Hamel hit .279 last year and will play second base and in the outfield.
Tommy Miller is back to lead the weekend rotation after posting a 3.70 ERA in 2018 over 104.2 innings pitched with 84 strikeouts. Brendan White had a 4.08 ERA in 90.1 innings pitched with 61 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Nate Toms is a two-way player who could see time at first base and on the mound as a freshman. Freshman Eddie Sweeney will compete for a spot in the outfield and at first base. Freshman Ryan McGee and Evan St. Claire are outfielders. Alex Milone hopes to see time behind the dish, while Devan Kruzinski will compete for time on the infield.
Outlook for 2019
The coaching staff is hoping to improve their overall speed and team defense in 2019.
2019 All-MAAC Preseason Team
C: Fran Kinsey (Iona)
1B: Pete Battaglia (Niagara)
2B: Anthony Lazar (Marist)
SS: Conner Morro (Canisius)
3B: Evan Vulgamore (Quinnipiac)
OF: Liam Scafariello (Quinnipiac)
OF: Mark McKenna (Canisius)
OF: Joe Simone (Rider)
DH: Riley Mihalik (Rider)
SP: Dan Klepchick (Monmouth)
SP: John Signore (Fairfield)
SP: Tommy Miller (Siena)
SP: Tony Romanelli (Marist)
SP: Brendan White (Siena)
RP: T.J. Stuart (Manhattan)
RP: Will Frank (Canisius)
Honorable Mention:
SS – Jack Gethings (Fairfield)
SS – Danny Long (Monmouth)
3B – Brian Kelly (Siena)
OF – Frankie Gregoire (Marist)
OF – Kyle Norman (Monmouth)
OF – Brian Moskey (Quinnipiac)
DH – Tyler Kapuscinski (Marist)
DH – Matt Padre (Manhattan)
SP – Austin Pope (Fairfield)
Predicted Order to Finish:
1. Canisius
2. Quinnipiac
3. Monmouth
4. Marist
5. Siena
6. Manhattan
7. Fairfield
8. Niagara
9. Rider
10. Iona
11. Saint Peter’s
