this is manhattan college

4
2010 season outlook
Behind the leadership of 2009 MAAC
Coach of the Year Kevin Leighton the
Manhattan baseball team is expected
to make another strong run at the
conference title. In four short years
Leighton has lifted the storied Jaspers
baseball program to unprecedented
heights. Manhattan is riding high on
its 2010 ball club which returns seven
All-MAAC selections who helped earn
the program’s second consecutive
MAAC Regular-Season Championship
and set a school record with 35 wins.
"I think that this team’s talent is as
deep as we have had in my five years
here,” Leighton emphasized. “ We
have a lot of key returners who we are
expecting to have big seasons, along
with some talented young guys."
Already tabbed the team to beat
according to the MAAC Preseason
Coaches’ Poll, the Jaspers enter the
campaign with two of the top seniors
in the conference, both of whom
are expected to bring leadership to
the diamond. Kevin Nieto, the 2010
Preseason MAAC Player of the Year,
will again anchor one of the premier
outfields in the league. Nieto was a
key figure in the 2009 Jaspers highoctane
offense, which was one of the
best in NCAA Division I and rewrote
the MAAC’s record book. Reigning
MAAC Pitcher of the Year Mike
Gazzola will help lead the Jasper staff
which features a talented mix of both
veteran and young arms.
Manhattan returns seven starters
from last year’s team which posted an
18-6 conference record. The Jaspers
welcome 12 newcomers to the roster.
Infield
Corners
The Jaspers bring back a plethora of
power to go along with solid defensive
skills at both corners in juniors Chad
Salem and Austin Sheffield.
"Chad and Austin have played since
their freshman years and I expect
them to lead our infield,” explained
Leighton. “ I feel that both will have
good seasons for us and be key parts
of our success."
Salem returns to the hot corner
after enjoying another solid campaign
in which he earned All-MAAC
Second Team honors for the second
straight season. The power hitting
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
third baseman logged a .380 batting
average and drove in 45 RBI in 52
starts last season. A local product from
Rye, N.Y., Salem blasted eight home
runs and 13 doubles. One of the most
consistent offensive players on the
roster, Salem logged the fifth best onbase
percentage (.471) and recorded
25 multi-hit games in 2009. Salem is a
multi-purpose player who can be used
in several roles in the infield.
Sheffield, a 6’4” 208 lb. product
of Augusta, Ga., will return to his
Kevin Nieto
starting role at first base. Sheffield
is coming off a career-season, which
culminated being named to the All-
MAAC Second Team. The iron man
started all 53 of Manhattan’s games at
first base hitting .349 on the year and
improved his average in MAAC games
going .382 from the plate. One of the
Jaspers most consistent defenders,
Sheffield posted a team-high .987
fielding percentage. He displayed his
ability to come through in the clutch
when he launched his seventh home
run of the season to help the Jaspers
earn a 2-1 MAAC Tournament victory
over Rider. Sheffield completed his
stellar sophomore campaign with 13
doubles, two triples and 47 RBI. He had
24 multi-hit games and 13 multi-RBI
contests.
Middle Infield
It may be the only loss the Jaspers
have to deal with, but certainly
the biggest as Manhattan looks to
replace shortstop Ryan Masters and
second baseman Ruben Perez, both of
whom graduated as members of the
winningest class in program history.
The duo contributed to 135 victories
over their careers and a 75-25 MAAC
record. Manhattan will look to its
freshmen Kyle Murphy, Nick Camastro
and Brian Simmons, along with second
year player Will DeRuve to fill the
gaps.
"Our middle infield is very young,
but I am confident that they will do
well,” said Leighton. “They will make
rookie mistakes, but I believe they will
develop quickly.”
DeRuve is the most experienced
middle infielder who spent most of his
time playing second base last season.
The sophomore from Delmar, N.Y.
started 27 of 37 games last year adding
a good lefty bat to the line up. DeRuve
recorded 20 RBI and scored 23 runs.
Murphy will also challenge for a
spot at second base. The 6’3” 200 lb
infielder from Waterbury, Conn. is a
tough competitor who has excellent
speed to go along with a solid right
handed bat. A four year starter at Holy
Cross High School, Murphy was named
All-State as a senior after batting .478
with 26 RBI and three home runs as
he helped the Crusaders to an 18-5
record.
Camastro will see time at
shortstop this season. The product of
Lagrangeville, N.Y. was a three year
starter at Arlington High School and
helped the Admirals to two league
championships and advanced to
the Section I Finals in 2009. An All-
New York State selection as a senior,
Camastro is a solid option in the
middle infield as he has good speed
and a strong arm.
Simmons offers a defensive presence
to the Jaspers infield and can be used
in special situations. The native of
Cortlandt Manor, N.Y. was named All-
Section I League II North as a senior
at Lakeland High School after batting
.379, with 14 runs and 10 RBI.
Freshman Julian De La Rosa will
add depth to the infield as the multipurpose
prospect who can earn time
at either second or third base. The
product from Staten Island played
three years at Bishop Ford High School
in Brooklyn hitting above .370 in