Garden City, N.Y. - The Adelphi University baseball team received 14 signatures to make up its 2022 recruiting class, during the early signing period.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic presented a hurdle in the recruiting process, Adelphi is set to welcome in one of its largest signing classes to date.

"We believe our incoming recruiting class is one of our strongest in recent years. It features nine promising young arms among its thirteen members, adding necessary depth to our pitching staff. We expect some of them to step up and throw meaningful innings for us in 2022," said Adelphi Interim Head Coach Bill Ianniciello.

John Carver
Position: P
Height: 6-2
Hometown: Lynbrook, N.Y.
High School: Lynbrook
Travel Team: Long Island Storm

• Two-year varsity starter
• Played in 2020 New York State Games
• Also competed in football for the Owls

Ianniciello on Carver: "John is a right-handed pitcher with both size and strength. He has a good fastball, already hitting 86-87, and a strong slider with sharp, late break. He is working to improve upon the consistency of his command, while also developing a curveball that shows some good drop. His determination, in combination with his physical tools, give him high potential upside as he furthers his ability to repeat his delivery."

Johnny Catuosco
Position: CF
Height: 6-1
Hometown: Commack, N.Y.
High School: Commack
Travel Team: Team Steel

• Led his junior varsity team in hitting as a sophomore with a .430 average
• Only struck out one time in 55 at-bats that season
• Paced his travel team in hitting each of the last three years
• High Honor Roll student all four years at Commack

Ianniciello on Catuosco: "Johnny is a very athletic high school outfielder and pitcher from the left-hand side. With a lean, projectible frame at 6 feet and 175 pounds, who moves well on the bases and in the field, we envision him as an outfielder at Adelphi. He hits the ball hard to both sides of the field, with good ability to drive the ball in the gaps at an early age. Johnny is a good teammate and hard worker. He goes about his business in a quiet manner. We expect him to be a true asset to our program."

Philip D'Aguanno
Position: P
Height: 5-11
Hometown: Bethpage, N.Y.
High School: Bethpage
Travel Team: Long Island Dodgers

• Played at Perfect Game 16U and 17U Tournaments in 2020
• Preseason 17U Northeast Region All-America Honorable Mention
• Six All-Tournament Team selections
• 16U Tournament Most Valuable Pitcher 

Ianniciello on D'Aguanno: "Philip is another capable high school pitcher and third baseman. We will likely evaluate him further in both roles during his freshman fall season at Adelphi. He is a strong kid who is aggressive with the bat. He loves being on the field and competing, plus he has the versatility and confidence to play other positions in the infield and possibly the outfield. On the mound, Philip is a true strike-thrower who comes right after hitters with his overhand fastball and curveball mix. He gives his team length in innings with his pitch efficiency and simply has a track record of winning games."

Ryan Dela Rosa
Position: P
Height: 6-3
Hometown: Middle Village, N.Y.
High School: Christ the King
Previous School: Concordia College
Travel Team: Next Level Baseball

• Sophomore transfer from Concordia, where he pitched in two games in the 2021 season
• Named First Team All-League at Christ the King
• 2019 Perfect Game All-Northeast Region Honorable Mention
• Helped lead Royals to an undefeated 16-0 record and CHSAA League A Championship in 2019

Ianniciello on Dela Rosa: "Ryan is a transfer from Concordia College. He is a lean, 6-foot-3 right-handed pitcher with a mid-80's fastball, complemented by a big breaking ball. Ryan is from Middle Village and played high school ball at Christ The King. We look forward to Ryan joining our program and competing on the mound."

Jordan Falco
Position: P
Height: 6-6
Hometown: Center Moriches, N.Y.
High School: Center Moriches
Travel Team: Body Armor Titans

• Four-year varsity player and 2021 Team Captain
• Won back-to-back NYSPHSAA Class B State Championships (2018 & 2019)
• Posted a 6-0 record on the bump in an undefeated 26-0 season in 2019   
• Top 100 Newsday Baseball Player in 2020 & 2021
• 2021 Axcess Baseball Preseason All-Long Island
• Also was a Newsday Top 100 basketball player at Center Moriches

Ianniciello on Falco: "Jordan is a very talented right-handed pitcher with a highly-projectible body and pitching ability. At 6-foot-6, he has a great pitcher's frame with good length, sound mechanics and loose arm action. He has shown steadily-increasing velocity, already reaching the mid-to-upper 80's, with more expectedly in the tank. He leverages his size well in throwing downhill and has good depth and break on his curveball. He is a high-ceiling prospect who projects as a starter for Adelphi."

Jon Fallacaro
Position: P
Height: 5-9
Hometown: Fairfield, Conn.
High School: Fairfield Prep
Travel Team: Westchester Junior Ducks

• Three-year varsity pitcher
• 2021 Team Captain
• Helped the Jesuits to a CIAC Tournament appearance in 2019
• Summa Cum Laude student

Ianniciello on Fallacaro: "Jon is a crafty-type left-handed pitcher at Fairfield Prep in Connecticut. His older brother, Dan, is a catcher at Sacred Heart University. Jon impressed us more with each of his several Adelphi prospect camp appearances.  We like his make-up and pitchability. He has a good curveball, which he throws down in the zone and uses effectively to set up his fastball. We expect him to be a valued contributor out of our bullpen."

Gavin Graff
Position: P/OF
Height: 6-4
Hometown: La Jolla, Calif.
High School: La Jolla
Travel Team: BPA Hensley

• Four-year varsity starter
• Team Co-Captain in his junior and senior seasons
• Led the team in hitting (.355), hits (27) and slugging (.434) in his sophomore year
• Selected for the San Diego County Underclassmen All-Star Game in 2019
• Played on the 2019 Oakland Athletics' Scout Team
• Collegiate Baseball Newspaper High School Players to Watch in 2020 and 2021

Ianniciello on Graff: "Gavin is a 6-foot-4 right-handed pitcher from La Jolla High School in San Diego. We have been in touch with him since April of 2020. Gavin's interest in Adelphi was driven by the success of our baseball program, the quality of our athletic facilities, the caliber of academics at the University and family based in Westchester County. We see good potential upside in his developing fastball, great arm action on his change-up and the ability to throw his breaking pitch for strikes. He shows good poise on the mound. Gavin's high school coach speaks highly of his character and work ethic."

Kendall Kendrick
Position: P
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Selden, N.Y.
High School: Newfield
Travel Team: Team Steel Scout

• 2020 Perfect Game 17U Northeast World Series Championship
• 2020 Perfect Game All-Tournament Team
• Blue Chip Prospects Impact Player on Long Island

Ianniciello on Kendrick: "Kendall is a polished right-handed pitcher for his age with a smooth delivery, long and fluid arm action and a good finish. He throws strikes, with reliable command of three pitches, including his breaking ball and change-up. He has a high spin-rate fastball, touching the mid-80's without max effort. He has a positive, relaxed mound presence. Kendall's mix of pitches and ability to execute them, along with his recognition of hitters' strengths and weaknesses, project him as a potential starter, as he adds arm strength and velocity."

Alec Maag
Position: C
Height: 6-1
Hometown: Center Moriches, N.Y.
High School: Center Moriches
Previous School: Eastern Connecticut State/Suffolk Community College
Travel Team: HDMH Titans

• Transfer from Eastern Connecticut State, where he doubled and drove in a run for his first collegiate hit
• All-State and All-Long Island First Team
• Won back-to-back NYSPHSAA Class B State Championships (2018 & 2019)
• Three-time All-League and two-time All-County selection
• Suffolk Catchers Gold Glove Award
• Named Team Captain and hit .482 with four homers as a senior

Ianniciello on Maag: "Alec was a premier catch-and-throw high school receiver who was the starting catcher on teams that won two consecutive state championships. He was a two-time Suffolk All-County selection. As a senior team captain, he was named Long Island's Catcher of the Year. With good size and strength, Alec has a quick release behind the plate, with the ability to swing the bat, as well. He is currently catching and playing first base at Suffolk Community College in preparation for his transition to NE10 competition."

Jacob Pedersen
Position: P
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.
High School: Comsewogue
Travel Team: Long Island Strong

• All-Long Island Honorable Mention
• Newsday Top 100 Players on Long Island
• Ranked No. 26 on Blue Chip Prospects List
• Team Captain
• Posted a 2.70 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched in 2019

Ianniciello on Pedersen: "Jacob is a highly competitive, no-nonsense type of pitcher. He wants the ball, works quickly and is intense on the mound. With a "slinger" style from a high-sidearm right-handed slot, he is very tough working away to right-handed batters and bearing in on lefties. He throws a heavy ball with good movement.  His mental makeup and strong fastball-slider combination profile him as having closer potential out of our bullpen. His bulldog nature will bring an extra "edge" to the team."

C.J. Picone
Position: C
Height: 5-6
Hometown: Farmingdale, N.Y.
High School: Kellenberg Memorial
Travel Team: Long Island Junior Ducks

• Two-year varsity starter
• Most Committed Award recipient
• Career .290 hitter with eight doubles and 40 RBI
• Also named MVP of the football team

Ianniciello on Picone: "C.J. is a solid, versatile ballplayer with high baseball acumen. He has good defensive skills at his primary position of catcher, while also playing multiple infield and outfield positions capably. He shows quiet confidence and is a steadying influence anywhere on the field.  C.J. is a quality hitter with a good approach at the plate, an efficient swing and the ability to manage his at-bats. He is also an intelligent baserunner. His wide-ranging skills set will make C.J. a valuable addition to our roster."

John Rizzo
Position: P/IF
Height: 6-0
Hometown: Islip Terrace, N.Y.
High School: East Islip
Travel Team: Long Island Junior Ducks

• Three-year varsity player
• Named All-League in his sophomore campaign
• 2021 Axcess Baseball Preseason All-Long Island
• Helped Long Island Junior Ducks to Boys of Summer 15U Championship

Ianniciello on Rizzo: "John is a well-rounded student-athlete who is a legitimate two-way prospect at the college level as a pitcher and third baseman. While he hits with authority, we project him more likely as a starting pitcher for us with the potential to see meaningful innings as a freshman. John has a good mound presence and comes to compete every time he takes the ball. He throws from a deceptive arm angle with late life on his fastball and a good breaking ball. He was particularly impressive in a 17-strikeout performance against one of the top club teams on Long Island prior to committing as a Panther."

Zach Rovner
Position: P
Height: 6-3
Hometown: Medford, N.Y.
High School: Patchogue-Medford
Travel Team: Team Steel Scout

• 2021 Preseason All-America Honorable Mention
• Three-time Perfect Game All-Tournament Team selection
• Team Captain
• Younger brother of current Adelphi pitcher Josh Rovner

Ianniciello on Rovner: "Like his brother, Zach is another skilled right-handed pitcher. He has a young, lean and developing body. Dedicated to the craft of pitching, Zach already demonstrates high-pitch ability, with excellent command of his fastball and secondary pitches. He has a "plus" breaking ball that he is confident throwing in any count. Also committed to his strength and conditioning work, Zach is adding muscle to his frame and velocity to his pitches. We expect him to become an important member of the Adelphi pitching staff."

Jack Wishner
Position: 2B/SS
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Valley Cottage, N.Y.
High School: Nyack
Travel Team: Rockland Pirates

• Four-year varsity player and two-year team captain
• Named All-League and All-Section as a sophomore
• Also voted the team's Most Valuable Player in his sophomore season
• Owns a .334 career batting average with 22 stolen bases and 11 doubles
• Played four other varsity sports, in addition to baseball, at Nyack

Ianniciello on Wishner: "Jack is a steady-fielding shortstop at Nyack High School. He has good hands and efficient footwork, and we expect him to be highly reliable in making all the routine plays. Jack also impressed us at our summer prospect camp with a quick, line-drive hitting stroke, who peppers the ball all around the field. He shows good bat control and can bunt for a base hit. We see him as a solid contributor offensively and at a premier defensive position."