Hofstra poised to win it all after heartbreaking loss last season

12/27/08

     HEMPSTEAD, NY - After being one win away from advancing to the 2008 NCBA World Series in Indiana last season, the Hofstra University Club baseball team has high hopes in 2009. Entering the final week of the 2008 season, Hofstra led District II with a 12-2 record. However, NYU ended its World Series quest by taking 3 of the last 4 games of the season, eliminating the Pride. With fifteen returning players and fourteen newcomers, Hofstra is poised to exceed last years results and win it all. President Rich Fiore will be satisfied with nothing less than playing for the 2009 NCBA Title in May.

     In the 2008 Fall Williamsport Warmup tournament, the new look Hofstra Pride proved its toughness against some of the best NCBA teams in the Northeast. Hofstra finished in 2nd, defeating Pitt, Cornell, and Lafayette before falling to Cortland in the final game. "About a year ago, I don't think we would have had a shot against any of these teams," Fiore said, "but with this group of guys, I don't think there is any team that we can't compete with. These guys continue to exceed expectations."

      In 2009, the Pride return to Division II, District II of the NCBA and will compete against familiar foes in Rider, Cabrini, and 2008 District II Champion New York University. However, competition will get increasingly tough as newcomers Sacred Heart and UConn bring much more talent to the division.

      As with any baseball squad, success starts with pitching. After losing pitchers Billy Fine, Ryan Willey,and Jon Cagnard, the Pride's pitching staff was marred with question marks following the 2008 campaign. However, Hofstra returns its ace from 2008, senior Tom Scopelitis, and adds 9 more power arms to its staff. Scopelitis, native of Floral Park, NY, posted a 4-1 record with a 2.63 ERA in conference play last spring season and also had an impeccable fall season, going 3-0 without allowing an earned run over 21 innings pitched. "Of course losing four pitchers is hard," said Scopelitis, "but I feel the young guys are ready and will fill in nicely."

     Joining Scopelitis in the rotation will be newcomers John DeLeo (Westbury, NY), Joey Comunale (Stamford, CT), Brian Adler (White Plains, NY), and Mark Medeiros. DeLeo and Comunale provided the pride with 39 1/3 innings of work in the fall and posted a combined 3.92 ERA. Adler, a freshman at the university, fired the first No-Hitter in Hofstra Club Baseball history in a 5 inning mercy of Rider University this fall. Adler struck out 12 of the 16 batters he faced in the game while throwing only 57 pitches. Medeiros, also a freshman, missed the fall season due to injury. These starters may also see bullpen time, as Hofstra will likely use a three man rotation in the spring.

     Hofstra has also added 4 more pitchers to their bullpen; Eric Murphy (Yorktown, NY), Phil Eslick (Old Bethpage, NY), Matt Farra (Dolyestown, PA), Danny Sherbun (Annapolis, MD). Murphy, who set his high school record in saves and appearances at Yorktown, looks to rebound from a rocky fall season where he posted an 0-1 record with a 14.00 ERA in six appearances.

     Sam Giese (Burlington, VT) returns behind the plate for his 3rd straight year as starting catcher for the pride. In 2008, Giese caught every inning of every conference game, handling a pitching staff that combined for a 2.99 ERA in conference play. "Over the years we've had a whole range of talent on the mound, I've caught some of the best and some of the worst." said Giese. "This will be my third year catching this team, and I feel that the pitching staff is deeper and more talented than it has ever been." Giese, who is Hofstra's all time leader in At Bats, Games Played, and Putouts will be joined by Jacob Seelig (Ossining, NY) who will also see substantial time behind the dish.

     The Pride also return infielders Nick Carr (Vice President, Verona, NJ), Mark Froehlich (Landenburg, PA), Lenny Rutledge (Branchburg, NJ), Rich Fiore (President, Shelton, CT), Chris Kalesavich (Derby, CT), and Sean Gates (Cooperstown, NY). Over their careers, Fiore, Giese, and Carr have combined for a .335 BA (138 for 412) with 93 RBI. Joining them in the infield are rookies Jon Raimondo (Shoreham, NY), Jacob Seelig, and Matt Farra.

     Senior Greg Roll (Baldwin, NY) will return as starting centerfielder for the 2nd straight season. Roll led Hofstra in Hits, Home Runs, and Fielding Pct. in 2008. Junior Rich Meoli (East Meadow, NY) also returns, bringing a career .366 batting average with him. Also returning from 2008 outfield are Mike McArdle (Williston Park, NY), CJ Tufano (East Meadow, NY), Mike Pritchard (Boonton, NJ), and Dan Williams (Washington Crossing, PA), who has a lifetime .339 batting average. They will be joined by rookie outfielders Danny Sherbun (Annapolis, MD), Joe Elio (Seaford, NY), Aaron Richards (Hope Valley, RI), and Farhan Husain (Manhattan, NY)

     Joining Fiore and Carr as leaders of the team is Jon Cagnard, who makes the transition from starting second baseman to head coach. Cagnard brings enormous experience to the club as he started in every game of 2007 and 2008. "I am really excited for this upcoming season, our talent is unmatched in our division." said Cagnard, "We've shown glimpses of what we can do this fall amongst the NCBA's best. I expect this effort, dedication, and high level of play to continue throughout the season." Cagnard hit the first ever home run in Hofstra Club Baseball history vs. Rider on March 24, 2007.

     The team will play its home games at University Field on Hofstra's North Campus (located next to the David S. Mack Sports Complex) and at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. Home opener is tentatively scheduled for March 14, 2009 with a doubleheader Rider University. First pitch is scheduled for 12 Noon.