UTICA, NY - The Utica University baseball team will begin its 2024 season weekend on the road for a three-game slate at SUNY Maritime College. The teams will meet for a doubleheader on Saturday at 2 and 5 p.m. before wrapping up the series with a single game at noon on Sunday. 
 
Follow Along: Live stats for Sunday's game will be available via https://maritimeathletics.com/sidearmstats/baseball/media;category=batting. 
 
2023 In Review: Last season, the Pioneers were a veteran group that had a 24-15 overall record but ultimately fell short in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament. While the team did not reach its goal of winning its first conference championship in program history, there were many records set during the season. The 24 wins marked the second most in a season for Utica. The team was powered by a lethal offense that set single season team records in hits, runs scored, runs batted in, and triples. The pitching staff was dealing as well with a single season team record 274 strikeouts. After bowing out to Russell Sage in the conference tournament, the team will be back with a vengeance this season as they look to finish some unfinished business. 
 
At the Helm: Joe Milazzo enters his 11th season as the skipper of the Utica University baseball team. Throughout his tenure, Milazzo has won 147 games and produced 64 All-Empire 8 players and numerous All-Region players. His staff includes Dan Bollana, who has been a part of Milazzo's staff since his first season in 2014, as well as Luke Schulte, who returns to coach the pitching staff. Former All-Empire 8 first baseman Jack Bono enters his first season with the coaching staff, as does three-year Pioneer James Roeschlaub. Rich Diliberto returns for his second season as well. 
 
2024 Opponents: The Pioneers' regular season slate breaks down to 11 home games, 19 road games and 11 neutral site contests. Utica will travel to SUNY Maritime (2/24-25), New Jersey City University (3/2), SUNY Oneonta (4/17), Vassar College (4/20-21), SUNY Poly (4/24) and SUNY Cobleskill (4/25) for true non-conference away games. Within league play, the Pioneers head to Houghton University (3/22-23), Alfred University (4/6-7), and Elmira College (4/27-28). The team will host E8 opponents St. John Fisher University (3/29-30), Russell Sage College (4/13-14), and Keuka College (5/4-5) while welcoming SUNY Poly (4/10) and Hamilton College (3/20 on the road & 4/16 at home for the Jackie Robinson Game) in non-league action. Neutral site outings include Yeshiva University (3/3 at Silver Lake Fields in West Harrison, NY) and SUNY Canton (3/27 at Onondaga Community College), as well  its RussMatt Central Florida Invitational games against Keystone College (3/9), Dickinson College (3/10), University of Minnesota Morris (3/11), Ohio Northern University (3/12), University of Saint Joseph (3/13) and Stockton University (3/14). The Empire 8 Conference Tournament will run from May 9-11 and will be hosted by the regular season champion. The top-four teams in regular season play will qualify. The winner of the E8 Tournament will earn an auto-berth into the NCAA Division III Tournament. Please Note: All dates and times are subject to change.
 
So Long, Partners:  The Pioneers have graduated six key pieces to the team's success last season. The two-way sensation, Brendan May (McGraw, NY/McGraw), will be missed this season. May's efforts in his two season's with the team made a tremendous impact on Utica's success as he was as solid as they come as a lefty batter, shortstop, and closer. May, a multiple All-E8 honoree and All-Region player, was a career .339 hitter with 87 career hits, 19 doubles, six triples, and four home runs. On the mound, May had a very impressive 3.41 career ERA and a program record seven saves. John Son (Mellville, NY/Half Hollow Hills) opted to transfer to NCAA Division I Saint Peter's and pursue his masters degree. Son had a phenomenal tenure at Utica, where he was a two-time Empire 8 All-Conference selection, a career .337 hitter with his name etched amongst the top players ever in program history. He finished his Utica career ranking sixth all-time in hits, second in doubles, second in runs scored, sixth in home runs with 11, and fourth in career runs batted in. Another great Pioneer that will be missed this season is Joe Battista (Gansevoort, NY/South Glens Falls). Battista spent four seasons in the program where he was a two-time All-Region selection, and a three time All-Conference recipient. He was a career .349 hitter and finished ranked fifth all-time in hits with 130, second in doubles, second in runs batted in with 98, and second in walks with 66. James Roeschlaub threw 133 innings in his three years playing with Utica, accumulating a 5.62 ERA, 138 strikeouts, and five complete games. Jack Bono was a consistent piece in the Utica lineup during his junior and senior seasons where he was a .331 hitter and a proficient defender at first base. Nathan Yantz (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) always provided a spark whenever he came into games which were often in pinch hitting situations. Yantz was deployed as a catcher and designated hitter where he accumulated a remarkable .377 average through 77 career at-bats. He was an Empire 8 First Team All-Conference selection at the catcher position his senior year. 
 
Super Kooper: Kooper Knabe (Cortland, NY/Cortland) is coming off an incredible rookie campaign where he was named the Empire 8 Rookie of the Year and became the first player in program history to earn the honor. His freshman season was dominant as he posted a 2.17 ERA through 54 innings with 46 strikeouts. The multi-All-Region honoree from one season ago has a strong mound presence, with a great command of his pitches that allows him to be so successful. He will look to build off his fantastic start to his career as the team's ace this season. 
 
Meese in the Outfield: The trio of Dom Fasolo (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), Joe Crossley (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro), and Jason Story (Hilton, NY/Hilton) will man the outfield this season and will be key cogs on both the offensive and defensive end for the Pioneers. Fasolo began the season hotter than blazes last year, hitting above .400 for the first half of the year. Fasolo is a power threat at the plate as he hit three home runs last season with 11 doubles. After hitting .384 in the 2023 season, he will look to pick up where he left off in his final campaign with the Pioneers. Joe Crossley (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) returns for his graduate season this year and will once again operate as the team's centerfielder. Crossley has displayed great athleticism and skill in the outfield over his first four seasons, making several highlight worthy plays in the field. His defensive abilities over the years have translated to a .994 fielding percentage to go along with 17 assists. He is also a very disciplined hitter who has hit at the top of the lineup for much of the past two seasons. In 2023, Crossley hit .281, accumulating 38 hits and seven stolen bases. The graduate student will once again play a crucial role in this team's success this year where he will look to be a playmaker on both the offensive and defensive end. Jason Story (Hilton, NY/Hilton) will step into a much larger role with the team this season as the team's primary right fielder. Story brings another strong lefty bat into the lineup with a power and speed combination. In 2023, he hit .383 with 23 hits, six doubles, and five stolen bases. 
 
Around the Horn: Tyler Jennings (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) is back for his senior season and will once again operate as the team's first basemen. The senior hit .283 last season, accumulating 17 hits in 60 at-bats. Jennings fields his position exceptionally, making only one error in 2023 for a .993 fielding percentage. He is a big target at first with excellent fielding ability. On the topic of defense, Steven Sclafani possesses a magnificent glove at the second base position. Sclafani makes plays look effortless with a smooth style of fielding that has translated into a superb .957 fielding percentage through three seasons thus far. While his glove certainly plays, he has become a staple hitting in the nine hole for the Pioneers. Sclafani hit .288 last season and was often used in sacrifice bunt situations as he laid down eight bunts for the team in 2023. Utility infielder Antonio Martinez (Sunrise, FL/Western) returns for his senior season as well. He made six starts in 2023, going an impressive 11-for-27 at the plate, including a walk-off sacrifice fly against Elmira. Martinez should see his role increase this year and will look to make the most of his opportunity. Third baseman John Longeretta (Oriskany, NY/Oriskany) is back for his graduate season. Longeretta is coming off a great 2023 season where he hit .320, had 32 hits, 18 runs batted in, one home run, and was named to Empire 8 Third Team All-Conference. He is a very tough out at the plate with exceptional bat to ball skills and a great eye with 26 career walks to only 19 strikeouts. The graduate student figures to be a main piece of the lineup again and will look to finish his career strongly. Andrew Salbinski (Essex, CT/Valley Regional) made a big impact as a freshman accumulating 13 hits in 45 at bats with six doubles and three triples. Salbinski has a strong lefty bat with some serious boom potential. 
 
Behind the Dish: Matt Kanyuk returns to lead the Pioneers from behind the dish once again. Kanyuk is a vocal leader on the team with a strong arm that he is not afraid to use. He is aggressive on the defensive end, looking to throw out or back pick runners at any time. In 2023, he threw out three runners attempting to steal and had a .975 fielding percentage. Kanyuk is a capable hitter as well and will be called on a lot again this season. Micah Fiorello (Brooktondale, NY/Ithaca) figures to make a jump in 2024 in his sophomore campaign. Fiorello is an athletic catcher who displayed a lot of potential as a freshman. Making seven starts in 2023, he recorded eight hits in 25 at-bats, and a .500 on base percentage. 
 
On the Bump: After missing last season due to injury, Tyler Catalfamo (Albany, NY/Colonie) will look to make his return to the bump this year. Through 47 career innings thrown, the southpaw has accumulated a 5.36 era, while striking out 34 batters. His return to the mound will be a big boost to the team. Frederick Callo Jr. (Milton, NY/Marlboro) will be featured in a much greater role this season. Callo, a 6'3 lefty like Catalfamo, has excellent stuff on the mound that should translate well this season. With high velocity from the left side, and a wide array of pitches, Callo is capable of striking out batters in bunches which he displayed flashes of last season, sitting down 18 batters in 14 innings thrown. Jack Krug (Rotterdam Junction, NY/Canajoharie) figures to maintain a consistent role on the mound as well in his junior season. 
 
Fresh Faces: Of the 25 newcomers to the team, the Pioneers will look towards a plethora to make an immediate impact this year. Utica welcomes shortstop Jack Scanlon (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) to the team in 2024 who transferred in from Onondaga Community College. Scanlon will be a huge addition to the squad for his impeccable defensive abilities. While at OCC, Scanlon was awarded the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove at the shortstop position in the NJCAA. While a phenomenal defender, Scanlon is a solid contact hitter as well, totaling 76 hits in two years at OCC for a .319 career batting average. Josh Duval (Utica, NY/Proctor), another junior college transfer, joins the Pioneers this season as well. Duval is an athletic outfielder who, like Scanlon, comes to Utica with a solid resume. Previously playing for Mohawk Valley Community College, Duval has hit .307 across two seasons with 55 hits. Switch hitting first baseman Derek Holmes (Blossvale, NY/Camden) has found a new home in the Utica blue and orange this season as a transfer from Cazenovia College. As a freshman, he tallied 21 hits through 79 at-bats while at Cazenovia. The team is eager for the return of Kody Czternastek (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), who last pitched for the Pioneers in 2022. After taking a year off baseball, Czternastek is back and will look to carve himself another consistent role out of the bullpen. In 2022 he threw 21 innings, recorded a 6.33 ERA and struck out 22. After being at Alfred State in the fall, Tanner Warren (Mohawk, NY/Central Valley Academy) transferred into Utica to begin his collegiate career with the Pioneers. Warren is a local product who attended Central Valley Academy in Ilion and his speed and utility ability will come in handy for the roster. Austin Rhodes (Wappingers Falls, NY/Kennedy Catholic) is a 6-foot-3 lefty pitcher with good movement on his pitches and has strong potential to be an effective option this season. Justin Notargiacomo (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) is another freshman pitcher that will look to carve out some innings this year. 
 
About Maritime:  The Maritime College Privateers are coming off a successful 2023 campaign where they went 29-15, and ultimately fell in the Skyline Conference Championship. Maritime returns every starter from last year's lineup, most of which were juniors in 2023. With seven seniors set to start for the Privateers, this is a veteran group with lots of experience. Five of these players accumulated at least 48 hits apiece and hit for an average of .320 or higher. Sluggers, Matt Milone and Freddy Forgione headline this group. In 2023, Milone was awarded Skyline Co-Player of the Year for a fantastic season where he hit .366 with 15 home runs, 17 doubles, and 53 hits. Freddy Forgione was another First Team All-Skyline power hitting with a .365 average, 11 home runs, 17 doubles, and 54 hits. Infielder Jaden Shea is also back for his senior campaign after leading the team with a .395 average and 18 stolen bases. Maritime's top arm enters his sophomore year, coming off a rookie season with a 4.45 ERA through 64.2 innings. The team also returns its third weekend starter, Matthew Demme who registered a 4.53 ERA across 55.2 innings. 
 
Up Next: Utica will travel to play New Jersey City University on March 2 before taking on Yeshiva University for a pair on March 3 in West Harrison, NY.