GLENSIDE – Coming off the most historic season in program history, the Arcadia University baseball program is set to kick off the 2023 season on Thursday at Skip Wilson Field with a 2:00 p.m. game against Ursinus College.
Last season, the Knights hosted an NCAA Regional for the first time, won the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) Championship, had the first-ever consensus All-American, nine All-Region selections, and the MAC Freedom and Region IV Coach of the Year. Arcadia also set a new season-best for wins, reaching the 40-victory plateau for the first time.
"We're coming off of a really good season in 2022" says Torresani, "and I think our expectations are high, but we're just focused each day on getting a little bit better and just enjoying being around each other."
The Knights return experience all over the roster, and nowhere is this more evident that on the infield. Shortstop Alex Madera, the MAC Freedom Player of the Year, second baseman Justin Massielo, a All-Region and First Team All-MAC Freedom selection, first baseman/DH Hunter Curley, an All-Region and First Team All-MAC Freedom selection, and third baseman Emilio Pallante will form the nucleus of the group. Joining them are returners Aaron Oswalt, Vinny Versaci, and Trevor Laraia. Newcomers looking to carve out a role include transfer Logan Petty, and first-years Thomas Strauch, Joseph Boccio, Luke Meehan, Dylan Pope, Benjamin Baccellieri, Robert Furino, Darius Isaac, Jacob Sheirer, and Hunter Weitzel.
In the outfield, Ryan Smolen was named Second Team All-MAC Freedom last season, and will again be joined by Matt Donchez, Joseph Kumar, Matthew Sot, and Trey Obarowski. Anthony Bruno will look to crack the lineup after transferring in as well first-years Noah Stennett, Kevin Wheeler, Sean Ahrens, Simon Abdullah, Ethan Elmes, Cam Leighton, and Matt Torreto.
Behind the plate, Nick Bon Tempo and Griffin Murphy bring back the most experience, with transfer Michael Bukowski and Ryan Hanna, Gregory Hamrick, Corey May, and Peter Trendafilov seeking time behind the dish.
On the mound, the Knights will be led by Second Team All-MAC Freedom and All-Region selection Hunter Sibley. Returning with Sibley in the starting rotation are Curley, Nick Fossile, and Zach Steiger. Carson Denham leads the bullpen returners, with Nadell Booker, Drew Pecorilli, Koby Staivecki, Jadon Dormer, Gabe Marshall, Nick D'Apolito, and Mitch Whitney returning for roles. Transfers Will Conroy and Cam Nebel, and newcomers Gavin Kincs, Aviv Drucker, Jayson Dougherty, Jason Pace, Alex Ciccone, Sage Goeke, Colin McKeon, Maverick Foster, and Christian Park will look to make an impact in their first year in Glenside.
The Knights kick off the campaign Thursday at home against Ursinus, and begin MAC Freedom play on March 11th in Florida against Stevens. The MAC Freedom Championship is set to begin on May 2nd with the First Round, the Semifinals on May 5th, and the Finals on May 12th.
