Willis Glassgow

Ianniciello Has High Expectations for Incoming 2025 Class

1/13/2025 2:00:00 PM

Garden City, N.Y. - The Adelphi University baseball team's 2025 season is quickly approaching and with it, head coach Bill Ianniciello will welcome in an elite freshman class. “[Adelphi's] incoming class of freshmen has the potential to be a real game changer,” Vinny Messina of Axcess Baseball said. "They brought in many of the top players on Long Island. That crew could form a formidable group and compete for a championship.”

The 2025 class includes eight-student athletes, seven of them hailing from Long Island. Six of those homegrown players were all-county award winners, five made Newsday's top 100 list and four played in the Grand Slam Challenge All-Star game.

“Our freshman class is an extraordinary group of student-athletes, reflecting a great combination of baseball talent, academic ability, character, and commitment,” Ianniciello said. “They possess all the qualities to be among the very best recruiting classes in my twelve years at Adelphi.”

Name: Tyler Bonsignore
Hometown: Seaford, N.Y.
High School: MacArthur
Height: 6-0
Position: Left-Handed Pitcher
Prominent accolades won in HS:

2022 and 2024 All-County
2024 Two-Way Diamond Award Finalist
2024 Nassau-Suffolk All-Star Game
2024 All-Axcess Baseball Team
2023 and 2024 Newsday Top 100 on Long Island
2023 All-Conference

“Tyler was a highly successful two-way player in high school who I expect to be a leader for us on the mound. He combines an advanced understanding of the game with superior instincts. With impeccable command of his pitches and a high aptitude for recognizing hitters’ strengths and weaknesses, he is capable of executing his game plan at a high level. I project Tyler to be a big part of our success going forward.”

Head Coach Bill Ianniciello

Name: Matthew Curto
Hometown: Lindenhurst, N.Y.
High School: Lindenhurst
Height: 6-8
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Prominent accolades won in HS:

2024 All-League
2024 Newsday Top 100 on Long Island
2024 Section XI Gold Glove Pitcher
Three-year varsity starter

“Matthew is another up-and-comer on the mound. His combination of physical tools at an imposing 6-8 and developing “stuff” – with natural movement on his pitches – give him a very high ceiling. He followed a strong finish to summer ball by pitching effectively in our fall season. Matthew is a sharp kid with confidence in his ability who I believe can become an impact pitcher at Adelphi.”

Head Coach Bill Ianniciello

Name: C.J. Forman
Hometown: Middle Island, N.Y.
High School: Longwood
Height: 6-0
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Prominent accolades won in HS:

2024 All-County
2023 and 2024 All-League
2024 Nassau-Suffolk All-Star Game
2024 Perfect Game Pre-Season All-American
2024 All-Axcess Baseball Team
Three-year varsity starting pitcher

“C.J. is a true competitor with a bulldog mentality. I have seen him excel as a starting pitcher and in high-leverage situations out of the bullpen. He wants the ball in big spots. C.J. threw three no-hitters, including a perfect game, his senior year in high school. He capped his season with an impressive All-Star Game performance. I view C.J. as an important addition to our pitching staff. He has a good feel for the game and an aptitude for how to attack hitters. He is capable of helping us in multiple roles.”

Head Coach Bill Ianniciello

Name: Giancarlo Rengifo
Hometown: Salisbury, N.Y.
High School: W.T. Clarke
Height: 5-11
Position: Third Base
Prominent accolades won in HS:

2024 All-State
2024 All-County
2024 League Position Player MVP
2024 Nassau County Champion
2024 Nassau-Suffolk All-Star
Game and Exceptional Seniors Game
2024 Newsday All-Long Island First Team
Newsday Top 100 Long Island Players
2024 All-Axcess Baseball Team
2023 All-Conference
Three-sport team captain (baseball, football, basketball)

“Giancarlo is a premier talent. He is a genuine five-tool player whose game simply exploded in all facets his senior year. He hit for a high average and extra base power, stole 29 bases, and made multiple extraordinary plays at third base while showing a reliable glove and pro-caliber arm. Batting leadoff, he was a catalyst who helped lead his team to the Nassau County Championship. At one point, he had an astounding 16 consecutive hits. Giancarlo’s upbeat personality and utmost confidence in himself, combined with his superior baseball skills, will propel him to continued success on the field and positive impact on his teammates. I anticipate big things from him as a Panther.”

Head Coach Bill Ianniciello

Name: Colin Richardson
Hometown: Mechanicville, N.Y.
High School: Mechanicville
Height: 6-2
Position: Right-Handed Pitcher
Prominent accolades won in HS:

2024 First Team All-Area
2024 Albany Union First Team
2024 Pre-Season Rawlings All-American
2024 518 Futures Game Nominee

“Colin is a pitcher from the Albany area who I watched throw in summer ball. He was a steady competitor who routinely put up multiple scoreless innings. He has a favorable mound presence and executes his pitches with a good mix of tempo and poise. Colin is a physical kid with high pitchability who knows how to win. He will both lengthen and strengthen our pitching staff.”

Head Coach Bill Ianniciello

Name: Thomas Rizzuto
Hometown: Oyster Bay, N.Y.
High School: Oyster Bay
Height: 6-0
Position: Outfield
Prominent accolades won in HS:

2023 and 2024 All-County
2024 Conference Position Player of the Year
2024 All-Axcess Baseball Team
2023 Conference Pitcher of the Year
Team Captain

“Tommy came to us as a two-way player. He had a monster senior year in high school ball, capturing the Conference Position Player of the Year award, in follow-up to earning Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2023. He is now focused on his hitting and outfield play. Tommy has great raw talent. He is a good kid and hard worker. He recognizes he needs to make adjustments at the plate to have success at our level. There is outfield depth ahead of him as a freshman, but his sights are decidedly set on a significant role in the lineup moving forward.”

Head Coach Bill Ianniciello

Name: Matt Ryan
Hometown: Sea Cliff, N.Y.
High School: North Shore
Height: 6-2
Position: Catcher
Prominent accolades won in HS:

2024 All-County
2024 Newsday Top 100 on Long
Island
2024 Team MVP
2024 All-Axcess Baseball Team

“Matt is another big-time talent I am excited to have in our program. He has the potential to be a frontline defensive catcher who will hit for average and power. He is a fully-committed student-athlete with an unparalleled work ethic and exceptional character. Matt emerged as a high-end high school player this year and had a very good fall season for us. I see him becoming a cornerstone of our program.”

Head Coach Bill Ianniciello

Name: Jack Tate
Hometown: Wantagh, N.Y.
High School: Wantagh
Height: 6-3
Position: Outfield
Prominent accolades won in HS:

2024 All-County
2024 All-Long Island Second Team
2024 Conference Player of the
Year
2024 Newsday Top 100 on Long Island
2023 All-Conference

“Jack is a skilled multi-sport athlete who also had a breakout senior year. He performed at a high level across three seasons, competing for the Nassau County football championship, then in the basketball and baseball playoffs. He was an accomplished two-way player in baseball as an all-star pitcher and an outfielder who hit for average and power while also running the bases aggressively. He had a strong fall at Adelphi. He has major upside, given his baseball ability, his drive, and a 6-3 frame conducive to adding meaningful strength. I look forward to seeing Jack’s talents unfold with us.”

Head Coach Bill Ianniciello

Ianniciello and the Panthers will look to build upon their 2024 season with this fresh talent. Stay tuned to AUPanthers.com for more information on the baseball program.