Baseball Tabbed Fourth in NE10 Northeast Division

Skyhawks open their season February 22-25 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina


Junior Harrison Sabo (Wilton, Connecticut/Wilton) was sixth on the team last year in batting average (.264)

Northeast-10 Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll Release

EASTON, Mass. (February 1, 2018) – The Stonehill College baseball team has been picked to finish fourth in the Northeast Division this season in the preseason coaches' poll, as voted on by the Northeast-10 Conference's 15 coaches, as announced by the conference office Thursday.

During their last season, the Skyhawks went 15-27 overall with a 9-14 NE10 record, just missing the opportunity to compete in the playoffs. Over the course of the past eight years, the team has played in NE10 playoffs five times, earning their spot at NCAA East Regional two times, as well.  

Defending regular season champions Southern New Hampshire University was voted to win the title again this year, as the Penmen received 105 points including 14 first-place votes. Franklin Pierce University took the runner-up mark in the poll receiving 92 points and one first-place tally. Merrimack College (74 points), Stonehill (61 points), and Assumption College (52 points) rounded out the top five. Bentley University (49 points) wasn't far behind the Greyhounds, while Saint Anselm College (25 points) and Saint Michael's College (18 points) were voted seventh and eighth, respectively.

Entering his 21st year as head of Stonehill's baseball program, three-time NE10 Coach of the Year Pat Boen is the all-time winningest coach in Stonehill baseball history. Throughout his 21 years coaching, Boen has championed the Skyhawks to 14 NE10 tournaments and three NCAA appearances. Boen boasts an impressive 532-397-3 (.573) overall record, and a 319-229 (.582) NE10 mark.  

After graduating six contributing seniors, Boen will see eight lead the team this year, including fifth-year senior pitcher Patrick Hurley (Roslindale, Massachusetts/Catholic Memorial). Hurley pitched 36 innings last year and averaged 5.94 strikeouts per nine innings. Also on the mound this year and returning from injury, is senior pitcher Michael Young (Mashpee, Massachusetts/Pope John Paul II). As a starter, Young has appeared in 26 games during his freshman and sophomore years garnering a record of 9-7 with one save, an ERA of 2.03, and averaging 7.82 strikeouts per nine innings.


John Orzechowski (Monroe, Connecticut/Masuk) was ranked eighth in the NE10 in stolen bases with 15 last season

Behind the plate, seniors Justin Nicklas (Foxboro, Massachusetts/St. Sebastian's) and Alexander Joyce (Newton, Massachusetts/Newton North) will lead the infield, while assisting on offense, as Nicklas contributed 21 hits and eight RBI and Joyce averaged .205 at the plate.

Joe Klingensmith (Topsfield, Massachusetts/Masconomet) saw time at third base last season, but has also contributed on the mound during his first two seasons with the Skyhawks. Outfielder Alex Hurley (Rumford, Rhode Island/Worcester Academy) appeared in 30 games for the Purple and White last year batting .225 with 16 hits and bringing in 10 RBI.

After missing half the season with an injury, Tyler Carey (Raynham, Massachusetts/Bridgewater-Raynham) will join the outfield again after batting .278 and stealing 10 bases in the 20 games played. Also returning from injury last year is senior third-baseman Isiah Nunez (Brooklyn, New York/Berkshire School), who played in 55 games total over his freshman and sophomore years.

On February 22nd, the strong returning team and six promising freshmen will play in the Skyhawks' debut game against Mercy College and will play four other teams in the Ripken Experience Northeast Challenge in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina through February 25. The Skyhawks will then travel to South Florida to take on some more tough competition from March 4-11 and follow that with conference play with an opening game on Sunday, March 18 against Merrimack College at Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood, Massachusetts.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on TwitterFacebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.

Northeast-10 Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll

Northeast Division -

1. Southern New Hampshire - 105 (14)
2. Franklin Pierce - 92 (1)
3. Merrimack - 74
4. Stonehill - 61
5. Assumption - 52
6. Bentley - 49
7. Saint Anselm - 25
8. Saint Michael's - 18  

Southwest Division - 

1. New Haven - 78 (9)
2. Le Moyne - 75 (5)
3. Southern Connecticut - 62 (1)
4. Pace - 56
5. Adelphi - 41
6. AIC - 22
7. Saint Rose - 16
() - first place votes


National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
East Region Poll 2018 Perseason
Rk
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
School
St. Thomas Aquinas (N.Y.) (8)
Southern New Hamshire (1)
New Haven (Conn.)
Felician (N.J.)
LIU Post (N.Y.)
Franklin Pierce (N.H.)
Le Moyne (N.Y.)
Wilmington (Del.)
Southern Conn. State
Pace (N.Y.)
Pts
89
82
70
53
48
38
34
33
31
10
2017 Record
44-17
43-11
31-13
35-15
32-20
33-15
28-16
30-21
27-16-1
29-19
Others Receiving Votes:
Adelphi (N.Y.) 3 pts, 24-24
Chestnut Hill (Pa.) 1 pt, 24-21-1
Dominican (N.Y.) 1 pt, 22-29
Post (Conn.) 1 pt, 20-23-1
Stonehill (Mass.) 1 pt, 15-27