Skyhawks open their season February 21-24 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Boen is 29 games shy of coaching his 1,000 game with the Skyhawks |
Northeast-10 Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll Release
EASTON, Mass. (January 28, 2019) – The Stonehill College baseball team has been picked to finish fifth 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 Monday.
Last season, the Skyhawks went 17-21-1 overall with a 10-15-1 NE10 record, just missing the opportunity to compete in the playoffs. Over the course of the past nine years, the team has played in NE10 playoffs five times, earning their spot at NCAA East Regional two times, as well.
For the second-straight season, Southern New Hampshire University led the way in the Northeast Division preseason poll with 111 points and 13 first-place points. Franklin Pierce University followed in second place with 97 points and one first-place vote and Merrimack College took home third with 84 points and the final first-place vote. Bentley University (74 points) and Stonehill (57 points) rounded out the top five with fourth and fifth-place, respectively.
Entering his 22nd 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 22 years coaching, Boen has championed the Skyhawks to 14 NE10 tournaments and three NCAA appearances. Boen boasts an impressive 549-418-4 (.568) overall record, and a 329-244-1 (.574) NE10 mark. This season, Boen will be coaching his 1000th Stonehill game, barring any delays due to weather it will happen on Tuesday, April 2 as the Skyhawks will host Bentley University on Lou Gorman Field at 3:30 p.m.
Young returns as a fifth-year senior holding a 2.34 ERA in 146.0 innings pitched |
After graduating seven contributing seniors, Boen will see six lead the team this year, including fifth-year senior pitcher Michael Young. Over Young's career, he has appeared in 31 games with 18 starts holding a record of 10-9 with two saves and one complete game. He has combined for 146.0 innings on the mound giving up 38 earned runs with a 2.34 ERA. Senior pitcher Justin Lynch will also join Young on the mound, as he has appeared in 23 games over his career throwing 37.2 innings in relief and giving up 18 earned runs.
In the field, seniors Matthew Rocco, Harrison Sabo, and William Kelleher will hold down the defense. Rocco and Sabo both earned All-Conference third team honors last season for the first time in their careers, as Rocco had career highs in 10 categories and Sabo had career highs in seven categories. Sabo also led the team in seven categories last season. Kelleher also had a career-best season as he totaled 38 hits with 12 doubles and 20 RBI in 144 at bats.
Another Skyhawk that made the All-Conference team was sophomore Jared Brooks, who appeared on the mound 12 times during his freshman year and made the All-Rookie team. Brooks threw for 65.1 innings with 10 starts for a 5-3 record and a 3.17 ERA. Junior Thomas Quinn played in 32 games last season behind the plate, as he hit .247 and drove in 13 runs while scoring six himself.
Sabo led the team in seven categories last year earning All-Conference third team honors |
Senior Patrick Downey will assist in the outfield, as he also made three appearances on the mound last season. Junior John Orzechowski also returns to the outfield with Downey after appearing in all 39 games last season.
On February 21st, the strong returning team and seven 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 24. The Skyhawks will then travel to South Florida to take on some more tough competition from March 2-10 and follow that with conference play with an opening game on Saturday, March 16 against Pace University at Peter X. Finnerty Field on the Pleasantville Campus.
For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.
Northeast Division -
1. Southern New Hampshire - 111 (13)
2. Franklin Pierce - 97 (1)
3. Merrimack – 84 (1)
4. Bentley - 74
5. Stonehill - 57
6. Assumption - 50
7. Saint Anselm - 37
8. Saint Michael's - 22
Southwest Division -
1. New Haven - 91 (8)
2. Le Moyne - 88 (6)
3. Adelphi - 69 (1)
4. Pace - 58
5. Southern Connecticut State - 52
6. AIC - 29
7. Saint Rose - 26
() - first place votes
