Baseball

Baseball Tabbed Third in Preseason Collegiate Baseball National Poll 

Union, N.J. (12/26/07) - The Kean University baseball team has been tabbed third in the Collegiate Baseball Preseason Poll as announced in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper on December 26^th.

The Cougars, who battled their way to the top of the nation last spring with a 43-8 overall record including eight straight wins to win the 2007 National Championship, bring back eight significant returners who all saw starting time last year on the field, and six players on the mound with 30 or more innings pitched.

Leading the way in the outfield include seniors Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.), Eric Ammirata (Hamilton, N.J.), Dan Mattonelli (Hamilton, N.J.) transfer Bryan Burke (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) and junior Mike Shymanski (Edison, N.J.).  

In the infield the Cougars return seniors Maikel De La Rosa (Newark, N.J.), Ryan Clark (Livingston, N.J.), and utility sophomore Nick Nolan (Linden, N.J.).  Senior Kevin O'Neill (Union, N.J.) will anchor behind the dish. 

On the mound, KU brings back starters Colin Feneis (Spotswood, N.J.), Andy Cupido (South Plainfield, N.J.) and Joe Bartlinski (South Amboy, N.J.).  Working out of the pen include closer Brandon Aich (Sayreville, N.J.) and relievers Joe Rizzo (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Tom Paglione (Hamilton, N.J.).

The Cougars will face off against three top 25 teams in the 2008 schedule as they take on #4 Chapman University twice during their California spring trip, #6 Eastern Connecticut State University on March 1^st and #14 The College of New Jersey in the final doubleheader of the regular season.