2023 Recap
Susquehanna University baseball captured the 2023 Landmark Conference championship after back-to-back wins over the University of Scranton in the championship round. Coming in with one loss in the double-elimination format, the River Hawks won the first game 8-6 in extra innings before going to the wire once more in the second and decisive game, coming out on top and claiming the title with a walk-off 6-5 win.
Susquehanna came up short in the championship in 2022, but entering the Landmark Conference tournament as the 4th seed last year, they fought through five games to claim their fourth Landmark title and their first since 2019.
Tony Rossi earned tournament MVP honors after a stellar weekend saw him start all five games at third base, tally seven hits including two home runs and three doubles, with one home run and all three doubles coming in the championship games against Scranton. He also tallied four walks, two natural and two intentional, while picking up his 17th stolen base of the season in game one. Susquehanna baseball then went on a run in the NCAA Championships, advancing through the loser's bracket and earning a spot in the Regional Championship, before losing to Rowan University 4-3. SU finished the 2023 season at 28-20 overall after an incredible postseason run.
Along with SU, Elizabethtown College also made a trip to the NCAA Tournament as an at-large selection. The Blue Jays fell to North Carolina Wesleyan in the opening round before falling to Lebanon Valley in the elimination game.
PRESEASON POLL
The 2024 Landmark Conference baseball season promises to be an exciting one, with tight competition anticipated among the top contenders. Preseason favorites Elizabethtown College and Catholic University are separated by a mere one point, highlighting the strength of the league. The Blue Jays secured 57 points, closely followed by the Cardinals with 56 points. Susquehanna University, selected third with 54 points, is poised to challenge the frontrunners, ensuring a thrilling season ahead.
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
- Head Coach: Ross Natoli (39th Season)
- 2023 Record: 26-11 (13-5 Landmark)
After a disappointing conclusion to the 2023 season, which saw the Catholic University baseball program eliminated from the conference tournament, the Cardinals are resolute in their determination to compete fiercely in 2024. They aim to regain their footing, striving to secure a spot in both the conference tournament and to mount another run in the NCAA Tournament.
Catholic's 2024 schedule is notably tough, featuring encounters with six teams that graced the 2023 NCAA Tournament, among them, College World Series contenders Johns Hopkins and Salisbury.
Though the team bids farewell to the exceptional talent of two-time Pitcher of the Year Tucker Alch, there may be new faces on the mound. Nevertheless, the Cardinals are confident that their supporting cast will rise to the occasion. Returning to the fray are four players who have previously earned All-Landmark Conference honors: first baseman Mitchel Johnson, catcher Matthew Fisher, outfielder Joe Marini, and middle infielder Dante Pozzi.
DREW UNIVERSITY
- Head Coach: Brian Eberly (3rd Season)
- 2023 Record: 15-22 (2-16 Landmark)
Despite encountering adversity last season, Drew University is poised to embark on a fresh chapter and redefine its narrative in the upcoming 2024 baseball season. With a cadre of returning players who played pivotal roles in amassing 402 hits and 320 runs last year, including seniors Anthony Hernandez, Luis Fuentes, and Nate Miller, Drew is primed for a resurgence.
On the defensive front, the Rangers have much to anticipate as sophomore pitcher Brandon Kobryn enters his second season. Kobryn boasts an impressive track record, having secured a 4-2 record and a 2.90 ERA, the second-highest in the conference last season.
ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE
- Head Coach: Adam Sheibley (7th Season)
- 2023 Record: 31-13 (16-2 Landmark)
Fueled by the pursuit of redemption, Elizabethtown College's baseball team is unwavering in its determination to mount a formidable comeback in the forthcoming season. Although the Blue Jays fell short in the championship semifinal to Susquehanna, they concluded the season with an impressive 31-13 overall record, marking their highest tally of victories since their 33-11 run in 1994.
Head Coach Adam Sheibley, alongside his seasoned staff, welcomes back a roster brimming with talent. Among the standout returnees are junior pitchers Greg Zerbe and Kyle Mulville, as well as sophomores Quinten Perilli and David Woolley, all of whom earned recognition as All-Landmark Conference selections. Perilli, notably honored as the Landmark Conference Rookie of the Year last season, showcased his talents by ranking second in the conference in both slugging percentage (.753) and home runs (11).
JUNIATA COLLEGE
- Head Coach: Pat Christopher (4th Season)
- 2023 Record: 10-30 (4-14 Landmark)
Following a year marked by adversity, the Juniata College baseball team returns to the field with a revitalized spirit and a fervent hunger for success. Senior Michael Warren emerges as the standout player to watch for the Eagles, having concluded the 2023 season ranked third in the conference in both batting average (.409) and on-base percentage (1.206) to earn All-Conference First Team honors.
Joining Warren in the spotlight is Corey Daniels, a senior outfielder who clinched a spot on the All-Conference Second Team in 2023. Daniels' remarkable season included 53 hits, 15 doubles, three triples, two home runs, and 29 runs batted in.
The Eagles commence their journey towards securing a coveted spot in the Landmark Conference playoffs on March 2, as they face McDaniel College.
LYCOMING COLLEGE
- Head Coach: Rick Oliveri (2nd Season)
- 2023 Record: 12-23 (9-14 MAC)
After a 50-year hiatus, the Lycoming College baseball embarks on its second season as a varsity program in 2024 - this time, in a new conference. Under the guidance of the 2023 MAC Freedom Coach of the Year, Rick Oliveri, the Warriors displayed resilience, concluding their inaugural season with a 12-23 overall record and a 9-14 standing in the MAC Freedom division.
The Warriors boast a roster that strikes a balance between returners and promising newcomers. Keep a keen eye on junior infielder Jake Schilling, both of whom garnered recognition as All-MAC Freedom players. Additionally, Lycoming welcomes a talented incoming class comprising 13 student-athletes, including eight pitchers, seven infielders, and four outfielders, poised to make their mark on the diamond.
MORAVIAN UNIVERSITY
- Head Coach: Douglas Coe (2nd Season)
- 2023 Record: 13-26 (8-10 Landmark)
As the season gets ready to start, Moravian remains resolute and unwavering in its pursuit of the Landmark Conference championship in 2024. Head coach Douglas Coe, now in his second year, continues to acclimate to Landmark competition, building upon the Greyhounds' previous season where they finished just shy of .500 in conference play and secured a mid-ranking position in hitting, pitching, and fielding.
The departure of graduating senior and three-time All-Landmark selection, Derek Holmes, leaves a void in the lineup for the Greyhounds to fill. Nonetheless, there is ample cause for excitement as the team anticipates the return of their offensive prowess in 2024. Leading the charge are Cole Cherkas, boasting a solid .389 batting average, and Chris Pow with a commendable .360. On the mound, the presence of graduate Ethan Weber, alongside senior David Ciaccio and junior Matt Snyder, reinforces the team's pitching depth and potential.
UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON
- Head Coach: Mike Bartoletti (21st Season)
- 2023 Record: 26-16 (11-7 Landmark)
The University of Scranton baseball team's runner-up finish at last year's Landmark Conference Tournament has ignited an even fiercer determination within the squad, driving them to pursue excellence and regain their position as conference leaders. Under the guidance of Head Coach Mike Bartoletti, the team secured 26 victories in 2023, tying for the second-highest number of wins in a single season in program history.
As they gear up for the upcoming season, Scranton boasts a lineup enriched with key returners from last year's roster. Among them are senior outfielder Nick Reposa, junior shortstop Matthew Querey, and standout performers such as graduate pitcher Dan Johnson and senior utility player Jack Heineman, both recognized as All-Landmark selections.
SUSQUEHANNA UNIVERSITY
- Head Coach: Denny Bowers '01 (19th Season)
- 2023 Record: 28-20 (9-9 Landmark)
With a wealth of key contributors returning to the fold in 2024, Susquehanna undoubtedly harbors aspirations of another impressive tournament run in the upcoming season. Following a triumphant championship victory and a noteworthy journey in the NCAA Championships, the River Hawks enter the new season with lofty expectations, aiming to assert their dominance in the conference and defend their title.
Susquehanna's roster boasts the return of three of their All-Landmark Conference selections: senior outfielder Sean McCulloch, junior second baseman Dylan Heyduk, and junior third baseman Tony Rossi, the latter also earning the coveted tournament MVP accolade. Rossi's sophomore campaign was marked by exceptional performance, leading the team in numerous statistical categories including batting average (.356), runs (50), hits (67), doubles (16), homeruns (12), RBI (54), total base(121), and slugging percentage (.644). Additionally, he tied for second in stolen bases with 18, and ranked third in walks with 30.
WILKES UNIVERSITY
- Head Coach: Mike Guy (1st Season)
- 2023 Record: 17-24 (11-13 MAC)
Wilkes baseball is poised to embark on its inaugural season in the Landmark Conference, following successful appearances in the MAC Freedom postseason in two out of the last three years. The team welcomes back three standout performers in Mike Show, Max Alessi, and Todd Kolbicka, all of whom earned recognition as all-conference performers.
Leading the Colonels into this new chapter is first-year head coach Mike Guy, who is familiar with the Landmark Conference. Guy brings a wealth of experience to Wilkes, having served as a long-time assistant at the University of Scranton.