WATERBURY, Conn. – After one of its most successful seasons in recent memory, the Post University baseball team has its sights set on a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Championship. The Eagles were 21-18 overall in 2015 and finished second in the conference with a 15-5 record, their highest league winning percentage ever.
 
Expectations are high around Waterbury as second-year head coach Ray Ricker returns a bulk of his roster from a year ago with seven starting position players, three starting pitchers, and four relievers back. Post also adds many new faces, including three Division I transfers.
 
Ricker believes this is the most challenging schedule the program has ever seen with 13 games against regionally-ranked opponents and four dates with nationally-ranked teams.
 
"I am excited to see this team in action. The depth of the lineup and arms on the team is one of our biggest strengths. It will give us a lot of looks and opportunities for guys to stay fresh throughout the season. This is the deepest team from top to bottom I have ever seen at Post University and we're ready to take the next step forward," said Ricker.
 
The newly-renovated Municipal Stadium may be beneath a layer of snow, but the crack of bats will soon echo as the Eagles prepare to take the field.
 
ON THE DIRT
The infield returns three starters from last season in juniors Joey Picone (Washingtonville, N.Y.), Drew Deangelis (Robbinsville, N.J.), and sophomore Don Walsh (Hamilton, N.J.).
 
The team is expecting big things from Walsh, an All-CACC Second Teamer, at the plate and first base. He led the squad with three homers and drove in 17 runs while playing stellar defensively with a .996 fielding percentage.
 
"Don has the most power I have ever coached and has greatly improved his approach at the plate this offseason, on top of being a very good defender. He really started coming into his own at the end of the season and did a nice job in the Cal Ripken League during the summer." 
 
Junior Rafael Tous (Flemington, N.J.) and freshman Mike Munson (Plainville, Conn.) could also see time at first base.
 
Picone was the lone Eagle to start all 38 games last year and will once again be counted on heavily in the middle of the field as the starting shortstop. The junior hit .250, scored 14 runs, and swiped three bags. He was one of Post's most patient hitters as he drew 15 walks.
 
"Joey has come back bigger and stronger and has looked great. He led our 2015 team and I look for him to keep being a leader on and off the field. We rely on him a lot and I'm excited to see his growth in year two in the program."
                                                                                                                         
Deangelis, freshman Shawn Boston (Brooklyn, N.Y.), and sophomore Brendon Emigholz (West Islip, N.Y.) will all see time at second base. Deangelis led the team with 17 walks and stole four bases, the most amongst the returners. "Drew gives us a great option with his bat at second base he also gives us some versatility playing the outfield and third base in years past. Shawn is a gamer and has great speed I'm looking for him to have an impact on this program this year and for many more to come,"
 
Emigholz stood out defensively in limited time last season. "I'm looking for Brendon to take the next step. He has, without a doubt, the quickest hands in the program and is a rock solid defender who has added 20 pounds since last year and his hard work has paid off," said Ricker.
 
Junior transfer Dan O'Neill (Saddle Brook, N.J.) will have the tough task of replacing All-CACC performer Dylan Pastor at the hot corner, but Ricker feels he's more than ready to perform. "He has step right in, but I do not think we will miss a beat. He has a very strong arm, great range, and will bat in the middle of our lineup. He is a guy you want up with the game on the line."
 
Freshman Joe Kwasnewski (Buffalo, N.Y.) will also see time at third backing up O'Neill.
 
Behind the plate sophomore Luke Leonardi (Holbrook, N.Y.) will split time with newcomer junior Rupert House (Spokane, Wash.). Both will look to replace Brian McKenna who recently signed a professional contract in the Frontier League. Leonardi saw some time at catcher last year, but was used mostly as a designated hitter. House could also see some at-bats at the DH spot.
 
"I am excited to see what Luke can do now that he's fully healthy. He is in my mind one of the top catch and throw guys in the region. The pitchers love throwing to him and he is extremely intelligent behind the plate. Rupert gives us a physical presence in the lineup that we were missing last year. He has a great eye at the plate and ton of power."
 
Nick Grasso worked hard this offseason and gives the Eagles a good left-handed bat option behind the plate.
 
IN THE GRASS
Senior Erik Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) and sophomores Alex Wright (Butler, N.J.) and Maxime Robillard (Blainville, Quebec) will see a majority of the time in the outfield.
 
Rodriguez has been one of the most consistent offensive players and a mainstay in the lineup for Post during his career. In 2013, he was fourth in the CACC with a .341 average. Last year he hit .270 and drove in a team-high 20 runs. "I fully expect Erik to be the player he was in 2013 as he has committed himself to becoming bigger and stronger which will help him over the long season."   
 
Wright made a case to be named CACC Rookie of the Year in 2015 as he hit .287 with 10 doubles, 17 RBI, and four stolen bases. Ultimately, he wasn't named the league's top newcomer but earned a spot on the all-conference team. Wright looks to keep his bat hot while continuing to be a stellar defensive outfielder.
 
"Most guys would hang their hats on what they did last year but Alex has done a great job focusing on this season. His defense in center is tough to put a value on, he saved us a lot of extra base hits last year."
 
Robillard struggled from the plate early in the season, but turned it on down the stretch with 17 hits in the final 14 games of the year until an injury in the CACC Tournament ended his season. He will move over to left field this year. "Max is one of those guys you need to have in your lineup. He does the little things really well and loves doing them."
 
Sophomore David Sarmiento (Miami, Fla.) and freshman Andrew Avots (South Brunswick, N.J.) will also see time in the outfield. Sarmiento is one of the speedier players on the roster as he grabbed three stolen bases in 2015 and will give Post many options with his speed and bat. He was also voted by the team as the Co-MVP of the fall season.
 
"Andrew is the fastest guy on the team and has a great arm. He will be counted on to help give us an option that we have not had at Post in a very long time."
 
Freshman Bryan Rossetti (Seymour, Conn.) and Rafael Tous will also see time in the outfield. Rossetti has showed potential with his left-handed bat. Rafael Tous has transitioned well into the outfield and his bat will find a way to get into the lineup.
 
ON THE MOUND
Losing a top-of–the-rotation starter like Baltimore Orioles draft pick Mike Costello is tough for any team to overcome, but the Eagles' staff heading into 2016 is still one of the best in the CACC.
 
"We feel great with the depth of our starters. I think any one of these guys could step up and be a conference starter for us. I am looking for these guys to compete and push each other to be great."
 
Junior Matt D'Ariano (Yonkers, N.Y.) looks to lead the staff this year. "Matt has unreal breaking stuff to go along with a fastball that sits in the low 90's. He has tons of potential and his professional work ethic is contagious with the rest of the pitching staff."
 
Junior Evan Devico (Waterbury, Conn.) has been a starter since he was a freshman and this year will be no different. The Eagles were 5-2 in games he started last season. Devico leads the returning staff with 42 strikeouts, including a season-best 13 punch outs against Bloomfield. "Evan has made huge strides and I think this will be a breakout year. He has showed a lot of leadership this year and excited to see him take the ball."
 
Sophomore Enzo Esposito (Hamilton, N.J.) earned CACC Pitcher of the Week honors with six Ks in three innings against Chowan to open the 2015 campaign, but an injury derailed his season as he made just two more appearances. Esposito throws three pitches for strikes and his fastball is in the mid to upper 80's. "Enzo is as good of a left-handed pitcher that has ever stepped foot on campus. He should give hitters a tough time and all signs point to him having a great year."
 
Junior Joseph Enderle (Hicksville, N.Y.) led the Eagles with a 1.89 ERA in three starts and will be in the mix for a starting job in 2016. "Joey's really stepped up in the weight room and has seen a jump in his velocity. He's working very hard to make his junior year his best so far."
 
Sophomore Nick Arnold (West Islip, N.Y.) was a strong arm out of the bullpen but will transition into a starter this year. In 11 appearances he posted a 2.59 ERA and had four saves. "Nothing fazes Nick. He has ice water in his veins and competes every time he is on the mound."
Sophomore Ben Brown (Middlebury, Conn.) will also be in the mix for a starting role after transferring to Post from the University of Hartford. "He has some of the best stuff on the team. Nothing he throws is straight which should suit him well in an all wood bat league like the CACC."
 
Freshman Tyler Kovalewich (Colonia, N.J.) has been special since arriving on campus. He has a big arm to go along with his huge 6'9" frame.
 
OUT OF THE PEN
Freshman Michael Munson (Plainville, Conn.) will be a dual threat for the Eagles as he will provide quality innings out of the pen while adding a big lefty bat on off days. "His work habits have been off the charts."
 
Freshman Brett Pisaneschi (East Quogue, N.Y.) redshirted for Post in 2015, but had a great summer in the Hampton's League pitching for former Eagle Dan Luisi. He is a strike thrower that can mix all of his pitches.
 
VCU transfer ­junior Hunter Absher (Seaford, Del.) is a tough competitor who has played at a high level and has the potential to be great out of the pen.
 
Sophomore Kyle Crimmins (Eastchester, N.Y.) started his career at Marist before transferring to Westchester C.C. so he knows what it's like to compete at a high level. He has an electric arm and should be very good in relief.
 
Sophomore Anthony Treccariche (Smithtown, N.Y.) will see some time out of the bullpen and if he is down in the zone should be tough to hit.
 
Two of the longest-tenured Eagles are seniors Alex Johnson (Bethel, Conn.) and Ethan Szabo (Bridgeport, Conn.) and they both will continue to provide quality innings out of the bullpen.
 
"Alex can be huge factor for us out of the bullpen. He has been through the CACC and has been lights out. Ethan looks to be our left specialist out of the bullpen."
 
Sophomore Mike Calo (Watertown, Conn.) has impressed the coaching staff this year and the hitters have said he's one of the toughest guys on the team to hit.
 
IN THE DUGOUT
Heading into his second year at the helm, Ricker has beefed up his coaching staff. Holdovers from last year include two former Eagles standouts, Zach Brecht and Julien Casaubon, along with Brian Stasaitis and Forrest Irwin. Newcomers to the staff include Jon Plefka, Nick McConnell, and Ray Skjold.
 
Plefka was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels is 2006 and spent eight years in professional baseball reaching the AA level. He attended Texas Tech where he was a pitcher and a forward on the basketball team under head coach Bobby Knight. Plefka is also the pitching coach for the Brockton Rox of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League (FCBL)
 
"Jon has been great for our pitchers this season. We recruit guys who want to play professional baseball so having Jon with his experience is huge for our pitchers to lean on as a resource."
 
McConnell will work with the catchers and is very familiar with CACC baseball as he caught over 50 games at Nyack before graduating in 2015. In his senior year he was named the Warriors' team captain. "Nick's energy cannot be topped. He has a great motor and has helped tremendously with our strength and conditioning."
 
Being the third former Eagle to come home and join the coaching staff shows the direction of the program; guys want to come back and be a part of something special. Skjold was a utility player for Post from 2007-10 as he caught, pitched, and played first base. Most recently, he spent four seasons as an assistant at Fairleigh Dickinson where he helped develop hitters and catchers. Skjold also serves as a lead instructor for Northeast Baseball Camps.
 
"Ray brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and passion to the coaching staff. He has helped our hitters out immensely so far this year. Overall this is a great staff that is committed to developing our student-athletes on and off the field. They have all done a great job with the guys."
 
The Eagles' season takes flight this weekend with three games in Virginia. Post will take on Mansfield in a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at noon. The Eagles close out the opening weekend against Le Moyne on Sunday at 11 a.m.