BROCKPORT, N.Y. - The College at Brockport baseball team will look to have a bounce back year after finishing the 2018 season just under .500 overall at 18-20, and 9-9 in the State University of New York Conference (SUNYAC). This season will be Justin Beach's 12th as head coach of the Golden Eagles.
 
Brockport brings back promising returners this season that will impact the team significantly. First baseman, Anthony Eaton, will be a key leader on the team, while Tom Kretzler will man one of the outfield spots this season. They are dependable hitters and will provide explosiveness in the team's lineup. Lou Miceli will defend third base and has the potential be a powerful bat in the middle of the order. Entering his sophomore year, Nick Pastore plans to improve upon his already impressive 2018 stats and will add speed to the top of the lineup. The team will be splitting catching duties between Liam O'Leary and Justin Valentino, both of which offer solid play behind the plate and in the batter's box.
 
Kretzler will also be contributing on the mound this spring along with Jason Hellwig and Ryan Greco. Greco and Hellwig return from season ending injuries, but they enter the year back at full strength and are key starting pitchers. Alex Brown brings experience to the pitching staff and will look to be solid leader. A considerable amount of the team's bullpen innings will be behind returners, Trevor McCarthy and Chris Cramer. These pitchers aim to be reliable, consistent fixtures in relief appearances. 
 
"On paper we have a lot of depth and any number of guys can be called on to get the job done," commented coach Beach.
 
Brockport welcomes a host of new Golden Eagles. Aaron Cook will be an option on the pitching staff, while also being able to play in the middle infield.  Stuart Martin, Kyle Canavally, Brad Nowak, and Kobie Punchard are all transfer students that can add depth coming out of the bullpen right away. Dan DelGaizo, another transfer, can provide some another weapon in the middle infield.
 
Returners Nik Malachowski, Charlie Serino, Matt Van Allen and Josh Cosgrove all played important roles last season and will build upon those results to add key contributions both on the field and off. The Golden Eagles are not a team to back down from a challenge.
 
"We play one of the toughest schedules in the country year in and year out," stated coach Beach. "This gives us the best opportunity to prepare for the SUNYAC conference and NCAA playoffs."
 
The Brockport baseball team's goals this season are to get better everyday and keep improving the entire season so by the time SUNYAC playoffs roll around they are playing their best ball. The SUNYAC looks to be a very competitive conference again this year, and the Green and Gold fully expect to be competing for the top spot.
 
The Golden Eagles kick off the season this Sunday, Feb. 17 when they travel to New Jersey to battle again Kean University at 11 a.m. and Gwynedd Mercy University at 2:30 p.m.
 
Be sure to stay up to date on all your Golden Eagle news, scores, and awards by following @BportAthletics on Twitter and by liking the "Brockport Golden Eagles" Facebook page.