Bryant (2018 Record: 32-23-1, 21-7)
Despite some key injuries, Bryant continued their high level of success by finishing the regular season first in the NEC. Unfortunately, they collapsed in the NEC Tournament and failed to reach the postseason.
Returning Players
Ryan Ward returns as one of the best hitters in the country after batting .409 last year with 51 runs scored, 22 doubles, 8 home runs, and 52 RBI. Gaby Cruz should be back behind the plate after hitting .302 a year ago. Outfielder James Ciliento hit .377 last year with 46 runs scored, 3 home runs, and 31 RBI. First baseman Chris Wright hit .313 a season ago with 32 runs scored, 5 home runs, and 36 RBI. Shortstop Jimmy Titus missed almost all of last season but should be back for 2019 to give the lineup a nice boost. Tyler Panno, Nick Angelini, Sam Owens, and Shane Kelly all return as well after having solid contributions in 2018.
Steve Theetge will be back in the weekend rotation after posting a 4.02 ERA last year in 87.1 innings pitched with 79 strikeouts. Vito Morgese will also be back in the weekend rotation after posting a 3.82 ERA in 77.2 innings pitched with 73 strikeouts. Tyler Mattison could move into the weekend rotation after making seven starts last year with a 3.40 ERA in 53 innings pitched with 53 strikeouts. Nathan Wrighter had a 5.23 ERA out of the bullpen last year with 25 strikeouts in 32.2 innings pitched with 8 saves. Nash Eppard and Jack Ipsen will also be back to add some depth to the bullpen.
Newcomers
Jake Gustin, Vincenzo Castronovo, and Matt Woods are all freshman who could make an impact on the infield. Castronovo could also see time in the outfield.
Freshman right-handed pitcher John MacDonald could receive some significant innings right away.
Outlook for 2019
The team is looking to be better balanced throughout the lineup, while continuing to improve their situational hitting. They would also like to see the team continue to improve defensively.
Central Connecticut (2018 Record: 18-28, 12-16)
After winning the NEC Tournament in 2017, CCSU took a major step back in 2018 as they finished next to last in the conference and missed out on the tournament.
Returning Players
Third baseman Buddy Dewaine should be back in the middle of the order after hitting .279 a season ago. Chandler Debrosee should be back on the infield after hitting .391 in limited playing time last season. Outfielder Chris Kanios hit .247 last year with 4 home runs and 23 RBI. Peyton Stephens could join him in the outfield after a solid freshman season in which he hit.301 with 3 home runs and 23 RBI.
The majority of the pitching staff should be back, led by Mike Appel in the weekend rotation. He posted a 4.68 ERA in 2018 over 59.2 innings pitched with 56 strikeouts. Andrew Braun had a 2.63 ERA in 37.2 innings pitched a season ago with 26 strikeouts. Patrick Mitchell posed a 3.72 ERA last season in 36.1 innings pitched with 21 strikeouts and 2 saves. Jared Gallagher had a 3.10 ERA in 29 innings with 29 strikeouts and 3 saves.
Outlook for 2019
It will be hard to replace Dean Lockery in the lineup, but if the offense can take a step forward, the pitching staff should be good enough for them to at least get back into the NEC Tournament.
Fairleigh Dickinson (2018 Record: 10-37, 1-26)
It was a hard year for Fairleigh Dickinson in 2018 as they only managed to win one conference game and missed out on the conference tournament.
Returning Players
Evan McDonald returns behind the plate after leading the team with a .289 average last year to go along with 30 runs scored, 11 doubles, 9 home runs, and 30 RBI. Bobby Romano was limited to just 15 games last season but should be the team’s starting shortstop. Adam Frank hit .450 last season in just 40 at-bats and should take on a more prominent role in the lineup. Outfielder Mike Veit hit .247 a season ago with 12 stolen bases.
Aaron Cohn will try to build off a freshman season in which he posted a 5.94 ERA in 33.1 innings pitched with 23 strikeouts and a save. He also made four starts.
Newcomers
Nate Brodsky (infield), George Rosales (catcher), Emmanuel Corporan (RHP), Bobby Piggozi (RHP)
Outlook for 2019
The coaching staff hopes they get better starting pitching in 2019, and that they finish strong later in games.
LIU Brooklyn (2018 Record: 31-26, 16-12)
It was a big 2018 season for LIU Brooklyn as they finished third in the conference but then ran through the NEC Tournament to win it all, earning a spot in the postseason.
Returning Players
Andrew Smith will likely be atop the lineup again after hitting .293 a season ago with 30 runs scored, 4 home runs, and 31 RBI. Third baseman Alex Briggs also returns for his senior season after hitting .276 last year with 8 home runs and 43 RBI. Edward Modica returns at catcher where he hit .299 a season ago with 30 runs scored, 4 home runs, and 31 RBI. Luis Arias returns at shortstop after hitting .267 last year with 33 runs scored, 12 doubles, 3 home runs, 24 RBI, and 16 stolen bases.
Zach Pederson should return atop the weekend rotation after posting a 3.97 ERA in 2018 over 79.1 innings pitched with 62 strikeouts. Patrick Clyne also returns to the rotation after striking out 89 batters in 85.2 innings pitched last year with an ERA of 4.73. Mike Kreiger should be the team’s closer again after posting a 2.20 ERA last season in 45 innings with 57 strikeouts and 7 saves.
Outlook for 2019
Virtually everyone is back from a team that won the conference in 2018, so you have to figure that the ceiling is high again for this team this season.
Mount St. Mary’s (2018 Record: 21-33, 15-13)
The Mount had a solid 2018 season finishing fourth in the NEC, which qualified them for the NEC Tournament where they went two-and-out.
Returning Players
Second baseman Alex Kriss returns to the lineup after hitting .305 in 2018 with 33 runs scored, 11 doubles, 5 home runs, and 22 RBI. Shortstop Patrick Causa hit .316 with 34 runs scored, 17 doubles, 6 home runs, and 47 RBI. Third baseman Vaughn Parker II is also back after hitting .292 last year with 5 home runs and 36 RBI. Sean Kelly has a chance to take over behind the plate after hitting .303 in just 33 at-bats last year. First baseman/DH Thomas Savastio hit .263 as a freshman last year with 4 home runs and 30 RBI. Infielder Myles Nicholson also had a solid freshman season hitting .301 with 38 runs scored and 22 stolen bases. Pat Daly is a two-way player who could contribute in the lineup and in the pitching staff.
Trey McGough will try and lead the weekend rotation after posting a 5.31 ERA in 2018 over 76.1 innings pitched with 62 strikeouts. Michael Kuypers was great out of the bullpen last year with a 3.14 ERA in 43 innings pitched with 26 strikeouts. Brenden Kennedy could move into the weekend rotation after making six stars as a freshman with a 6.11 ERA in 45.2 innings pitched with 23 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Freshman Thomas Bramley has a chance to see some playing time right away behind the plate.
Transfer Wyatt Stuckey and freshman Dennis Snyder will help give the pitching staff some depth.
Outlook for 2019
“We need to get better at hitting with runners in scoring position, and our pitchers need to have a better K/BB ratio.” – Head Coach Scott Thomson
Sacred Heart (2018 Record: 17-35, 12-16)
Despite winning only winning five games out of conference, Sacred Heart managed to win 12 conference games, but still missed out on the NEC Tournament.
Returning Players
Third baseman Jake Frasca hit .307 last season with 10 doubles, 25 runs scored, and 25 RBI. Elijah Brown hit .229 last year with 35 runs scored and 18 stolen bases. Kyle Oliver hit .252 with 3 home runs a season ago.
Brent Teller is back for his senior season after leading the team in innings pitched last year with 79 and strikeouts with 77. Cooper Thompson, Matt Aufiero, and Ryan LaMay all threw big innings as freshman last year and will be counted on more heavily in 2019.
Outlook for 2019
They lose a couple of big hitters from the lineup in Dan Schock and PJ DeFilippo. The pitching staff really only loses one key arm from 2018, so you would expect improvement there.
Wagner (2018 Record: 38-18, 21-7)
It was an exceptional 2018 season for Wagner as they nearly won 40 games and finished tied for the best record in the NEC. However, they came up short in the championship game of the NEC Tournament.
Returning Players
First baseman and DH Freddy Sabido will be back after hitting .300 in 2018 with 28 runs scored, 16 doubles, 4 triples, 6 home runs, and 44 RBI. Center fielder Joe Silvestrone hit .294 a year ago and is expected to have a bigger role in the offense. Shortstop Anthony Pecora, first baseman Tyler Sanfillippo, and third baseman Will Johnson will all need to step up in 2019.
Neil Abbatiello will be back to lead the weekend rotation after going 8-0 last year with a 3.30 ERA in 87.1 innings pitched with 79 strikeouts. Eric Ligda had a 3.89 ERA in 88 innings pitched with 60 strikeouts in 2018. Nick Robino was great out of the bullpen last year with a 3.09 ERA in 46.2 innings pitched with 56 strikeouts and 7 saves.
Newcomers
Infielder Shamus Connolly and catcher John Kampes will try to fill some holes in the lineup.
JUCO Transfers McCae Allen and Justin Beyer will add some depth to the pitching staff, as will freshman pitchers Josh Casado (up to 93 on scout day) and John LaPointe.
Outlook for 2019
“We need the pitching staff to perform the way they did in 2018 (Lead the NEC in Team ERA in 2018). We return every pitcher except one. We return 445 out of 481 innings from 2018. The everyday veteran players (Silvestrone, Pecora, Sabido) need to perform at a high level and replace five seniors in the everyday lineup who graduated from the 2018 team.” – Head Coach Jim Carone
2019 All-NEC Preseason Team
C: Evan McDonald (Farleigh Dickinson)
1B: Christ Wright (Bryant):
2B: Alex Kriss (Mount St. Mary’s)
SS: Patrick Causa (Mount St. Mary’s)
3B: Alex Briggs (LIU Brooklyn)
OF: Ryan Ward (Bryant)
OF: Andrew Smith (LIU Brooklyn)
OF: James Ciliento (Bryant)
DH: Fredd Sabido (Wagner)
SP: Zach Pederson (LIU Brooklyn)
SP: Neil Abbatiello (Wagner)
SP: Steve Theetge (Bryant)
SP: Eric Ligda (Wagner)
SP: Vito Morgese (Bryant)
RP: Mike Kreiger (LIU Brooklyn)
RP: Nick Robino (Wagner)
RP: Jared Gallagher (CCSU)
Honorable Mention:
C – Edward Modica (LIU Brooklyn)
SS – Jimmy Titus (Bryant)
3B – Vaughn Parker II (Mount St. Mary’s)
SP – Mike Appel (CCSU)
SP – Patrick Clyne (LIU Brooklyn)
Predicted Order to Finish:
1. Bryant
2. LIU Brooklyn
3. Wagner
4. Mount St. Mary’s
5. CCSU
6. Sacred Heart
7. Fairleigh Dickinson
