BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The College at Brockport baseball team looks to build off a strong 2017 season that saw them take third-place in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) with an overall mark of 23-16 and a SUNYAC record of 13-5. Head coach Justin Beach enters his 11th season at the helm and is just 12 wins away from becoming the winningest coach in Brockport history.
 
The Golden Eagles lost some impact players up the middle of the field, but Beach looks at this as an opportunity for returning players to step up and new faces to impress. Senior second basemen, Avery Brooks, will be a key cog in the machine both offensively and defensively. Around the infield, Brockport has returning upperclassmen such as Matt Van Allen, Anthony Eaton, Lou Miceli, Austin Hall and Justin LaRosa, who can be key contributors. Behind the plate, Justin Valentino aims to lead a strong pitching staff, while adding a consistent bat in the lineup.
 
Seniors Drew DeBlasiis and Luke Gilbert are another pair of returners that will anchor the outfield and look to build off of a strong 2017 campaign. Nik Malachowski, Tom Kretzler and Nicholas Pastore are underclassman that have an opportunity to see key innings and compete as Brockport looks to build towards the playoffs. Coach Beach understands that every year is different, but he is confident in his ability to field a competitive team.
 
"Every year we graduate a lot of good players, and it's tough but it gives opportunities for new players to rise up in different roles," commented Beach. "We believe in developing our players and by the time they are juniors and seniors they are reaching their full potential, so it is no surprise we graduate a lot of impact players each year."
 
The pitching staff is set up to be one of the strong points for the Golden Eagles, especially with returning starters Sam McCumiskey, Mark Giallanzo and Jason Hellwig. Ryan Greco will hope to be a key number three pitcher in the starting rotation after serving mostly from the bullpen the season prior. From the bullpen, returners Brendan Heywood, Maddux Minton, Casey Piazza and Jimmy Lovelass offer multiple options for Coach Beach to matchup against his opponents. Freshman Chris Cramer and Nathan Valentine are new arms that both have potential to throw big innings for the Green and Gold.
 
Heading into the season, the goals and expectations haven't changed.
 
"Each year we want to develop as the season goes on and to be playing our best baseball come playoff time," said Beach. "We expect this team to be no different than the past and continue the tradition of playing tough, competitive, clean baseball each day and that will lead us into the playoffs."
 
Beach is excited for the 2018 season and he believes that the team is comprised of players that understand what it takes to be a student athlete at Brockport.
 
"Having three players this fall achieve a 4.0 GPA and over 21 with 3.0 or higher, they not only excel on the field but in the classroom," expressed Beach.  "I think it is important to recognize how difficult it is to play baseball in college and this group has the makings of doing special things both on and off the field – I am excited to see them continue to grow."
 
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