| Sport(s): | Baseball |
| Inducted: | 1992 |
The 1980 baseball team deserves the honor of being the second team inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, following the 1970-71 men’s basketball team.
Coach Lou Colitti’s team posted a record 24 victories against 5 defeats while winning the ECAC Championship. The Chieftains earned many honors that spring, as coach Colitti was selected by his peers as All District Division II Coach of the Year. Coaching the All-Star Game at Fenway Park, Colitti had among his college division All-Stars Stonehill catcher Jack Burke, pitcher Peter Centola, shortstop Bob Wooster and second baseman Don Prohovich. Each was an All-New England selection. In addition, Prohobich, who was among the original eight Hall of Fame inductees four years ago, earned COSIDA Academic All-America honors.
The team set records for most victories (24), most consecutive victories (10), highest batting average (.315), most home runs (18), best fielding average (.965) and most runs batted in (222). The 10-game win streak included back-to-back doubleheader victories at Eastern Connecticut State College and at Sacred Heart University, two of the top baseball teams in New England. Burke, who batted .400, hit nine home runs and drove home 42 runs while Prohovich produced 11 game-winning hits. Wooster and freshman Paul Sullo (third base) were brilliant defensively on the left side of the infield while each hit over .300. Prohovich played second and hit .441 and teamed with Wooster for a Stonehill-record 25 double plays. Centola, who was 7-0 as a pitcher, shared first base duties with Bob Sauerbrunn, also a .300 hitter. The outfield consisted of three strong hitters in leadoff batter Anthony Gracia in center (22 stolen bases), Bill Percuoco in left (49 error-free games) and Frank Auditore in right field, who hit .345 and had the best arm in New England. Dan Kelly and Fred Dooley, both batted .300, sharing the designated hitter job. The pitching staff was led by Richard Stuart, a hard-throwing right-hander who drew all the top opposing teams. Behind Stuart was right-hander Ron Peterson, a starter and effective closer; left-hander Andy Hollatz who struck out 17 in a victory over Assumption; Chris Boyle, Dale Geldart, Steve Santos, Richard Goodman all played key roles in the championship season. The freshmen on the team were all talented and most went on to have excellent careers at Stonehill. Included are Mark Aiello, Mark DeJoie, Paul McGovern, Mark Folan, Danny O’Day and Geldart.
Mark Aiello
Frank Auditore
Chris Boyle
Jack Burke
Peter Centola
Jim Costa
John Curran
Mark DeJoi
Fred Dooley
Mark Folan
Dale Geldhart
Rich Goodman
Tony Gracia
Andy Hollatz
Dan Kelly
Paul McGovern
Danny O'Day
Bill Percuoco
Ron Peterson
Don Prohovich
Steve Santos
Bob Sauerbrunn
Rich Stuart
Paul Sullo
Bob Wooster
Lou Colitti, Head Coach
Jack Agoglian, Assistant Coach
Bob Richards, Assistant Coach
Mike Szachowicz, Assitant Coach