BRIARCLIFFE BASEBALL SIGNS 10 FOR NEW SEASON

The Briarcliffe baseball team heads into the fall 2007 campaign with ten new faces added to eighteen returning players, making it Briarcliffe's biggest roster in quite some time. Of the 28 players, 14 of them are expected to see action on the mound.

Head Coach Gary Puccio returns for his third year at the helm. Taking over a program that was 13-29, Puccio's first two seasons have produced a 2006 USCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP and a final four appearance. The Seahawks are 34-21 under Puccio, and are 32-13 in his last 45 games here. Coach Puccio has returned Briarcliffe to a national spotlight, and high expectations are now the norm for the baseball program. Puccio hopes the success will continue as the team progresses into Division II status in the NCAA.

Coach Enver Lopez returns for his fifth season as the hitting coach. Lopez's influence has made the Seahawks a team that averaged almost 8 runs a game last season. Puccio calls Lopez "the biggest reason we win here – period!" Coaches John Mehling and Matt Rocchio join the staff this year. Mehling is a former Division I catcher at LIU, and was head coach of Lehman College from 2005-2006. John will handle the third base coaching line as well as work with the catchers. Rocchio played ball at Suffolk Community College and has coached the Valley Stream Colts in summer leagues. His responsibilities will include working with the infielders and being the bullpen coach during the games.

The Seahawks will have three ALL AMERICANS return this season. Senior Francis Santos continues to be Briarcliffe's outstanding shortstop and senior centerfielder Dan O'Brien had an outstanding junior season. The return from rotator cuff surgery of junior 2006 All American Drew Raschen has the Seahawks jumping. Raschen was the winning pitcher in the national championship game, going all nine innings in pitching a two-hitter. The current junior was also Briarcliffe's cleanup hitter the entire 2006 campaign. "It's like getting back two outstanding players, " Coach Puccio quipped.

Six of the new recruits are expected to pitch this fall, and all come with pretty impressive credentials. Sam Braverman and Matt Gelormino were the aces of their high school staffs – and the two teams met for the Nassau County Championship last year. Tom Guarini helped Kellenberg with an outstanding senior campaign. Rick Doht pitched for North Babylon High School and was part of a pretty solid 1-2 punch there. Kevin Burke, also of North Babylon, gives Briarcliffe another much needed lefty arm in the pen. James Aspenlighter returns to Briarcliffe after completing his sophomore season at Fredericks in Maryland. All are expected to have a major influence on the upcoming season.

The Seahawks will be led on the mound by Lee Ranta. The Canadian phenom emerged as the team ace last season, going 5-0 in the regular season, then losing in the final four game despite pitching 5.2 innings without giving up an earned run. Puccio calls Ranta the main man this year. "In almost 30 years of being involved as a baseball coach both on the high school and college level, I have to put Lee in my top five pitchers of all time. I believe before he is through he can be a real special one." The staff also returns starters Steve Ringle and Matt Antonacci. Ringle was most impressive going eight strong shutout innings against Fisher College in a game the Briarcliffe won 1-0 in 12. Antonacci is coming off rehab and is expected to return to the form he had in the fall of 2006. The seventh, eighth and ninth innings remain in the trusted hands of Jonathan Kim, Steve Perkowski, and Victor Mederos. The tandem became untouchable as the year went on. Mederos, in fact, has blown only one save in his two years on the job.

Anchored by Francis Santos, the infield becomes the Seahawks biggest question mark of the new season. Can new young blood handle the everyday duties at both second base and third? Tony Bracco, Mike Rocco, Tom Usischon and Reggie Smith will get the opportunity to compete for those positions along with returning sophomore Neal Antigua. Puccio feels the young infielders will be fine. "I am very confident in those guys. Each of them brings something unique to the table," says Puccio.

Behind the plate is where Briarcliffe has both experience and a load of talent. Franklin Reyes adds the duties of captain this season. Reyes was the MVP of the national tournament in 2006. His ability to handle a pitching staff and call a game makes him a valuable asset to the Seahawks. Scott Rader returns for his junior season. Rader had an incredible second half, hitting over .400. Matt Ginsberg, who earned time last year at first base and DH, returns as well. Ginsberg lead all freshman in hitting last season.

The outfield, one of Briarcliffe's biggest strengths the past two seasons, has undergone some changes. Still anchored by Dan O'Brien in centerfield, the Seahawks are hoping that Mike Sorrentino can return to 2006 form, when he stole 24 bases in 25 attempts. Jason Castillo, who ably filled in for the injured Sorrentino, is expected to see a lot of time as well. Dan Rodriguez, unquestionably one of the team's best players, will see time both at first base and in the outfield.

Is another championship in sight for the 2008 version of the Seahawks? Puccio isn't promising anything, but does add this: "Overall, this is probably my most talented team ever at Briarcliffe. Now we need to take what is on paper an excellent ballclub and make it a reality on the field." Judging by Puccio's last 45 games with the Seahawks, one would be surprised if the Seahawks aren't playing in the USCAA National Championships for a third straight year.

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