6 us,” said Leighton. “Mike and Tom [Costigan] will likely be our #1 and #2 weekend starters. I think our bullpen <strong>is</strong> much stronger too. Our newcomers give us a few more options to work with in relief.” Gazzola, a fifth year player from White Plains, N.Y., became just the third Jasper all-time to earn MAAC Pitcher of the Year honors in 2009. The crafty left-hander posted a 7-1 overall record, including four complete games, which complement a team-best 4.15 ERA. He elevated h<strong>is</strong> performances in MAAC contests going a perfect 5-0 with a 3.75 ERA. Stepping up for the big show, Gazzola pitched a complete game en route to a 2-1 victory over Rider in the MAAC Tournament. Gazzola <strong>is</strong> expected to lead the Jaspers’ weekend rotation again in 2010. Costigan <strong>is</strong> a hard throwing righthander who will see the majority of h<strong>is</strong> time in the starting rotation. The product of Cold Spring, N.Y. <strong>is</strong> coming off a season where he found success both as a starter and out of the bullpen. Costigan’s seven wins and 73 strikeouts ranked third in the league last season. He logged a .284 batting average against and allowed just 48 earned runs over 80 innings. Costigan <strong>is</strong> a crafty pitcher with a good mix of pitches as d<strong>is</strong>played by h<strong>is</strong> 29 strikeouts looking, which ranked second in the league last year. Costigan went 5-1 and tallied a 4.10 ERA in MAAC contests. He was tabbed as one of the conference’s top prospects in 2010 by Baseball America. The Jaspers will look to Moran as the primary closer. One of the program’s top relievers all-time, Moran <strong>is</strong> expected to break Manhattan’s career saves record currently standing just one save behind former standout Pat Widgren ’00. In 2009, the native of Farmington, Conn. appeared 24 times, posted a 5-2 record and was second in the MAAC with six saves. A deceptive sidewinder, Moran bounces back on short rest and will eat up several innings out of the bullpen. He led all Jasper relievers with 45 innings of work last season. Sophomores Mike Giordano and Matt Jordan will compete again for a position in the Jaspers weekend rotation. Giordano made a splash to start h<strong>is</strong> collegiate career last season winning h<strong>is</strong> first six career starts. A Bedford, N.Y. native, Giordano ranked second on the team with a 4.43 ERA and struck out 32 batters in 61.0 innings of action. Jordan split the 2009 season 2 0 1 0 • M A N H A T T A N C O L L E G E B A S E B A L L between the starting rotation and coming out of the bullpen. A hardnosed southpaw, Jordan recorded four wins, 47 strikeouts and one save in 55.0 innings of work. He was named MAAC Rookie of the Week on May 16 after striking out six batters and allowing just one earned run in a win at Iona. Senior fireballer Zac Goyer gives the Jaspers another option either out of the bullpen or as a starter. Goyer struck out 41 batters in 40.0 innings, while posting four non-conference wins. He led the team last season with a .226 batting average against. A power strikeout pitcher, Goyer notched a career-high 11 Ks in a victory over BYU. Manhattan will have sophomores Matt Tro<strong>is</strong>i, Taylor Sewitt and junior Rob Ardino coming out of the bullpen. Tro<strong>is</strong>i <strong>is</strong> a lefty from Brooklyn who found most of h<strong>is</strong> success last season in four relief appearances over a 10 day span in March where he did not allow an earned run. Sewitt made 10 appearances in 2009 serving the Jaspers as a utility infielder and out of the bullpen. He adds depth to Manhattan in both these areas. Ardino appeared in eight games as a freshman and notched six strikeouts over 11.2 innings. Freshmen Eric Luks<strong>is</strong>, Mike Gonzalez and John Soldinger will compete for time on the mound. Luks<strong>is</strong> <strong>is</strong> a lefty from Wappingers Falls, N.Y. who can have an immediate impact. A deceptive pitcher with good velocity and control, Luks<strong>is</strong> has the potential to service Manhattan in a starting role. The All-County selection at John Jay East F<strong>is</strong>hkill, Luks<strong>is</strong> has the ability to dominate a game as he did when he tossed a no hitter versus Carmel on April 17, 2009. Gonzalez has the potential to contribute out of the bullpen <strong>th<strong>is</strong></strong> year. A right-hander from Chr<strong>is</strong>topher Columbus High School in Miami, which has produced several Jasper standouts in the past, Gonzalez complements a good fast ball with good out pitches. Soldinger <strong>is</strong> a 6’3” 205 pitcher who <strong>is</strong> also expected to be used as a reliever <strong>th<strong>is</strong></strong> season. He <strong>is</strong> a two-time All-Long Island selection locally at Bay Shore High School. Soldinger can locate h<strong>is</strong> fastball and has an above average breaking ball. He will compete for innings. Schedule The 2010 slate features contests with powers from the ACC, BIG EAST, Conference USA and Colonial Athletic Association, in addition to the always challenging MAAC lineup. The Jaspers open the season Feb. 26-28 at the University of Miami, a 2009 NCAA Tournament participant. "We are excited about our schedule," explained Leighton. "The first four weeks of the season will certainly be the most challenging that we have had in my time with the program." The Jaspers travel south to begin the campaign with a three game series against the Hurricanes marking the first time the programs have met since the 2006 NCAA Regional Finals. Manhattan returns to the Bronx for its annual meeting at cross-town rival Fordham (March 3), before traveling to Delaware (March 5-7). "Miami <strong>is</strong> going to be tough. It <strong>is</strong> never an easy weekend when you play a perennial power in their home park. We expect <strong>th<strong>is</strong></strong> experience will prepare us for the other challenging games on the schedule." Manhattan v<strong>is</strong>its Morgantown, W. Va. to square off with West Virginia from March 12-14. The Mountaineers went 37-18 last year and fin<strong>is</strong>hed third in the BIG EAST. The Jaspers will also make non-conference stops at Long Island (March 9), Seton Hall (March 17), Liberty (March 19-21), and Hofstra (March 24), before opening the MAAC schedule at Mar<strong>is</strong>t (March 27-28). The Jaspers will also v<strong>is</strong>it nonconference opponents Fairleigh Dickinson (March 30), Sacred Heart (April 13), Alabama Birmingham (April 24-25) and Albany (April 28). Manhattan plays ball at Van Cortlandt Park for the first time on April 3-4 when the Jaspers host league member Saint Peter's. Albany (April 7), Columbia (April 21) and NYIT (May 4) will also come to Riverdale <strong>th<strong>is</strong></strong> season. The Jaspers conference home games resume May 1-2 versus Niagara. Manhattan travels to Can<strong>is</strong>ius (May 8-9) for a weekend series, before returning to Riverdale for consecutive MAAC series with Iona (May 15-16) and Siena (May 20-21). The 2010 MAAC Championships will return to F<strong>is</strong>hkill, N.Y. at Dutchess Stadium from May 27-30, the site of the Jaspers last MAAC Championship.
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