Albany (2018 Record: 20-28, 9-14)
Albany snuck into the America East Tournament despite a losing conference record and upset the number three seed in their first game, but only scored one run in their next two games as they were eliminated.
Returning Players
Outfielder Patrick Lagravinese led the team in hitting last year with a .305 average and will be back atop the lineup. Matt Codispoti will be a big part of the lineup in 2019 after leading the conference in hitting among catchers with a .263 average to go along with 4 home runs. Kevin Donati was an All-Conference selection in 2017 but missed 2018 with an injury. They need him to bounce-back to fill the void with a lot of losses from the lineup.
The pitching should be strong for Albany in 2019 with Dominic Savino leading the way after posting a 3.63 ERA in 79.1 innings pitched with 69 strikeouts last year, while being named a First Team All-Conference pitcher. John Clayton should be another weekend starter after posting a 4.71 ERA in 65 innings pitched with 43 strikeouts as a freshman in 2018. Kenny McLean and Hunter Torres both missed last year with an injury but are expected to help out the pitching staff in 2019.
Newcomers
Joe Kruszka has a chance to be the team’s closer in 2019 in his first year with Albany.
Outlook for 2019
“Two areas we hope to improve on in 2019 are in the bullpen and our consistency offensively.” – Associate Head Coach Jeff Kaier
Binghamton (2018 Record: 18-30-1, 9-15)
Binghamton got off to a rough start in 2018 with a 4-15 record and never really recovered. Despite a better second half to the season they still missed out on the America East Tournament.
Returning Players
Binghamton returns their top hitter from a year ago in outfielder Anthony Meduri who hit .274. Shane Marshall will move to the outfield this year and be a big part of the lineup after hitting .272 a year ago. Justin Drpich was a Freshman All-American two years ago, but injuries attributed to a down sophomore season. Binghamton is hoping he can rebound in his junior season.
Nick Gallagher was the America East Pitching of the Year two seasons ago but took a step back as a junior with a 4.52 ERA in 65.2 innings pitched with 59 strikeouts. However, he finished the season strong with a 2.90 ERA in conference games and should lead the weekend rotation. Ben Anderson will also be a weekend starter after posting a 1.60 ERA last year in 33.2 innings pitched, while also having a great summer in the Coastal Plains League. Rob Brown was lights out coming out of the bullpen last year with a 0.93 ERA in 29 innings pitched with 23 strikeouts and 4 saves.
Newcomers
Freshmen Kevin Gsell and Cavan Tully will both push for starting roles at first base and second base respectively.
Tommy Babalis is a freshman who could have an immediate impact in the Binghamton pitching staff.
Outlook for 2019
“We’re hoping to be more dynamic and aggressive on offense this season, which in turn should put more pressure on our opponents and hopefully lead to more runs.” – Head Coach Tim Sinicki
Hartford (2018 Record: 26-31, 16-8)
A very difficult out-of-conference schedule last year, including four games against the eventual College World Series champions, helped prepare Hartford to dominate the America East as they won the conference tournament and advanced to the regionals.
Returning Players
Outfielder Ashton Bardzell should be back to lead the offense after hitting .308 last year with 41 runs scored, 10 home runs, and 41 RBI. DH Chris Sullivan hit .270 a season ago with 3 home runs. Third baseman Zachary Ardito will help bolster the lineup as well after batting .295 in 2018 with 10 stolen bases.
Nicholas Dombkowski was the Rookie of the Year and Pitcher of the Year in the America East last year after posting a 2.88 ERA in 90.2 innings pitched with 71 strikeouts. Nathan Florence will also be part of the weekend rotation after posting a 3.78 ERA last year in 85.2 innings with 93 strikeouts. Drew Farkas was solid out of the bullpen last year with a 3.15 ERA in 40 innings pitched with 42 strikeouts. He could take over as the team’s closer in 2019 after Seth Pinkerton left in the draft.
Newcomers
Transfer Nik Pagan (1B/DH) and freshman Will Nowak (RHP/3B) and Donnie Cohoon (OF) will have an immediate impact on this taeam.
Outlook for 2019
Hartford is losing a couple of key pieces from last year’s team, but for the most part they have a lot of solid contributors coming back. The pitching should once again be among the best in the conference.
Maine (2018 Record: 20-34, 12-12)
It was a decent year for Main as they had a big win over Miami early in the season. They finished fifth in the America East and went 2-2 in the conference tournament.
Returning Players
Outfielder Hernen Sardinas returns after hitting .308 last year with 40 runs scored, 17 doubles, 7 home runs, and 37 RBI. DH/infielder Danny Casals is also back after hitting .304 in 2018 with 40 runs scored, 11 doubles, 14 home runs, and 49 RBI.
Maine loses its top starter from a year ago in John Arel. Matt Geoffrion made the All-Rookie team last year with a 5.16 ERA in 29.2 innings pitched with 34 strikeouts and 2 saves. Cody Laweryson will need to step up in the rotation after posting a 3.42 ERA in 2018 over 52.2 innings with 52 strikeouts and a pair of saves.
Newcomers
Some newcomers that can make an impact are: Jeff Omohundro, Ryan Turenne, Nicholas Sinacola, Alexey Linsenmeyer and Jake Roper.
Outlook for 2019
Offensively they lose two of their top hitters from last season, as well as their top starting pitcher. They’ll need some newcomers to come in and make an impact if they are going to make a move in the conference.
Stony Brook (2018 Record: 32-25, 12-12)
Stony Brook had a very solid season in 2018 as they had over 30 wins and fought their way to the America East Tournament championship game but couldn’t get by Hartford.
Returning Players
Shortstop Nick Grande will be back to lead the offense as one of the better players in the country. He hit .377 last year with 59 runs scored, 18 doubles, 6 home runs, 28 RBI, and 32 stolen bases. Outfielder Michael Wilson is back as well after hitting .293 a season ago with 37 runs scored, 20 doubles, 5 triples, 4 home runs, and 40 RBI. First baseman/outfielder Chris Hamilton hit .263 last year with 6 home runs and 33 RBI.
Brian Herrmann will be back in the weekend rotation after posting a 4.38 ERA in 78 innings pitched with 50 strikeouts over 15 starts. Greg Marino was 7-2 last year in 16 starts with a 4.53 ERA in 87.1 innings pitched with 68 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Stony Brook has a lot of players coming back so it will be hard for some of the newcomers to break through. Left-handed pitcher Jared Milch has a chance to pick up some big innings this year though.
Outlook for 2019
The team is hoping to solidify the closer role in 2019, as well as the outfield after losing a couple of players to the MLB draft.
UMBC (2018 Record: 22-29, 12-11)
Partly because of a cancelled game, UMBC finished third in the conference last year, but they ended up getting bounced quickly in the America East Tournament.
Returning Players
Second baseman AJ Wright is back to lead the offense after hitting .280 a season ago with 32 runs scored, 20 doubles, 3 home runs, and 30 RBI. Joey Goodwin had a solid freshman season hitting .358 in 120 at-bats. Dmitri Floyd will likely take over for Zack Bright behind the plate. Floyd hit .241 in limited playing time as a freshman last year.
Stephen Schoch was solid out of the bullpen last year with a 1.72 ERA in 57.2 (team high) innings pitched with 71 strikeouts and 10 saves. Max Goron had some good moments as a freshman and will take on a larger role in 2019.
Outlook for 2019
UMBC will need a couple of guys to step up as starting pitchers in 2019 if they are going to have a chance. They should be about the same offensively in 2019.
UMass Lowell (2018 Record: 25-29, 13-11)
Another difficult out-of-conference schedule helped UMass Lowell prepare for conference play where they were 13-11. They won their first game in the America East Tournament, but then lost a couple of one-run games.
Returning Players
Cam Climo led this team in RBI last year with 43 to go along with a .269 average and a pair of home runs. First baseman Steve Passatempo was an All-Conference player last year after hitting .304 with 45 runs scored, 10 doubles, 8 home runs, and 32 RBI. Oscar Marchena is coming off an injury but should help solidify the infield.
Nick Rand has a chance to lead the weekend rotation after posting a 3.61 ERA last year in 47.1 innings pitched with 46 strikeouts. Henry Funaro was an All-Rookie Team selection last year with a 5.37 ERA in 52 innings pitched with 48 strikeouts. If he can limit the walks (43), he could be a breakout player in 2019 for UMass Lowell.
Newcomers
Freshman Rob Gallagher is a very good contact hitter with speed who could see playing time on the infield this year. Ciaran Devenney is a JUCO transfer that will give UMass Lowell some much needed depth at catcher.
Sal Fusco has an electric arm and will have a chance to be a weekend starter as a freshman for UMass Lowell. Gerry Siracusa has the chance to come in and have an impact on the bullpen right away as a freshman.
Outlook for 2019
“On the offensive side, we need to put more balls in play. We also have focused a ton on baserunning/base stealing. On the mound, we need to cut down the big innings by throwing more strikes. We also need to make sure we turn the routine double-play opportunities.” – Head Coach Ken Harring
2019 All-America East Preseason Team
C: Matt Codispoti (Albany)
1B: Steve Passatempo (UMass Lowell)
2B: AJ Wright (UMBC)
SS: Nick Grande (Stony Brook)
3B: Zachary Ardito (Hartford)
OF: Michael Wilson (Stony Brook)
OF: Ashton Bardzell (Hartford)
OF: Hernen Sardinas (Maine)
DH: Danny Casals (Maine)
SP: Dominic Savino (Albany)
SP: Nicholas Dombkowski (Hartford)
SP: Nathan Florence (Hartford)
SP: Nick Rand (UMass Lowell)
SP: Greg Marino (Stony Brook)
RP: Rob Brown (Binghamton)
RP: Stephen Schoch (UMBC)
RP: Matt Geoffrion (Maine)
Honorable Mention:
OF – Patrick Lagravinese (Albany)
DH – Cam Climo (UMass Lowell)
SP – Nick Gallagher (Binghamton)
SP – Brian Herrmann (Stony Brook)
Predicted Order to Finish:
1. Stony Brook
2. Hartford
3. UMass Lowell
4. Albany
5. Maine
6. UMBC
7. Binghamton
