Garden City, NY – After coming off a successful season, the Adelphi University baseball program was selected fourth in the Southwest Division of the 2015 Northeast-10 Conference Coaches' Poll. Under the direction of 12^th year Head Coach Dominic Scala, the team is expected to return with a new perspective on the season.
 
Closing out the 2014 season with a 24-23 overall and 14-12 Northeast-10 Conference mark, Scala expects an eleventh year of making it to the playoffs, if not further. With the graduation of ten players, including Cliff Brantley, who was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 19th round of the MLB Draft, and All-American honoree, Richard Mejia, the team's returning players have stepped up in their absence along with the addition of eight freshmen.
 
Despite the losses of Matt Abramowitz, John Donnelly, and Stephen Bove, the team returns twelve pitchers with two rookies joining the circle. The senior pitchers include Ricky Van Allen, who was a reliever in nine games and tossed 7.1 innings while striking out seven last season. Mike Cranston made a team-high 26 appearances with 32.0 innings pitched and posted a 2-2 record with a 3.94 ERA, while John Bivas was second on the team with 23 appearances, pitching 17.1 innings with a 2-0 record and struck out 11 batters. Closing out the senior class is Nikolas Batas, who posted 18 appearances with one start and pitched 23.0 innings with 15 strikeouts for a 2-2 record.
 
The junior pitching line up consists of Jonathan Mulford, who finished with a 5-3 record on a 2.89 ERA, tied for sixth in the NE-10 with a team-high 71.2 innings pitched, and struck out a team-best 59 batters. Kyle Garrison pitched in nine games with six starts towards a 4-2 record, he had two complete games in 35.1 innings pitched with a 3.82 ERA, and struck out 32 towards 8.15 strikeouts per-game.
 
Sophomores Michael Ceparano, TJ, Santiago, John Thompson, Will Hickey and Chris Lemorocco are predicted to be major contributions to this season as upper classmen. "Santiago did really well for me last season, he will be our starter and closer of the week," said Scala.
 
Newcomers include David Butler from Garden City will also pose in the first base position as well. Michael Tarpey arrives from the Bronx and will add depth to the bullpen.
 
Outside of the pitching squad are seniors Rich Cambria, Alex Zykoff, Nick Zito, Donato Signore, and Vincent Sharkey. "Nick's a great defensive outfielder. I'm expecting big things from him," said Scala. "Vince Sharkey is going to be our lead off man; a wizard with the glove, I think he's going to have a good year for us."
 
The junior duo, Ray Triano and Tyler Murphy have been extending positive leadership contributions for the Panthers. Murphy previously spent two years at North Carolina Central returns after making 29 appearances in 2013.
 
Leading the sophomore class, Mike Stack has shown promising efforts for this season. "Stack, I believe he's matured and understands hitting a little bit more now," said Scala. "He's swinging the bat really well right now in preseason." Alongside him are teammates Robert Vani, Zack Levinson, John Fogarty, Eric Hassell, and Kyle Collins - all strong molds to the defensive line up.
 
The new faces of the program have excelled during preseason, impressing the coaching staff. "We have freshmen who could break the line up as we go along," commented Scala. Freshmen Steve Withers, Camden Orologio, John Cuttitta, Tyler Warshefskie, John Lusardi, and Kory Cassara have stepped up to the plate. "Orologio and Cassara are very good at swinging the bat."
 
"We are always a team that is on a hunt," concluded Scala. "Our goal every year is to win the conference championship; our second goal is to get into the NCAA's. I think I have the pitching staff and the defense who can give us a really good shot at that."
 
The Panthers get there a chance on the field this weekend to commence the 2015 season with five games in North Carolina. The home-opener is currently scheduled for Wednesday, March 4 against Molloy.