Roster I Schedule

Raider Report Season 2, Ep 5: Kevin Kelley

NJAC Preseason Poll

NEWARK, N.J. (February 12, 2019) – The Rutgers University-Newark baseball team is looking to begin a new era for the program in 2019 under the leadership of first-year head coach Kevin Kelley.

After a tough campaign last year, Kelley was hired away from the University of Massachusetts-Boston, a perennial NCAA Championship Tournament squad, to rejuvenate the baseball team.

The Massachusetts native immediately set about instilling his culture this fall. The coach's first move was to name captains that he felt embodies some key values like integrity, humility, and playing the game the right way in addition to energy and effort every time they step between the lines.

Kelley's captains became seniors Ryan Zucker, Dominic Magliaro, and Luis Rojas and junior John Klimowich. "These four guys displayed the exact virtues I was looking for and will transmit the culture I want to build here from the top through the bottom of our roster." said Kelley, "They are role models for the way this program will practice, play, and carry themselves as Scarlet Raiders moving forward."

Outfield
The success of the 2019 Raiders begins with a senior-heavy lineup. Zucker leads the way in left field after a junior season that saw him start all 34 games and bat .292 with an excellent .469 on-base percentage that placed him second on the squad.

Klimowich will hold down center field after a sophomore season that saw him play in 20 contests, starting 16, while compiling a .373 OBP.

Junior Christian Diaz rounds out the outfield after converting from the infield as he looks to solidify the right field position for R-N. 

Infield
In the infield, Kelley is looking for shortstop Dominic Magliaro and junior first baseman Connor Clare to play big roles in the lineup. Magliaro racked up 12 extra base hits and 20 runs batted in despite having a down year at the dish while Clare will look to build on a nine RBI campaign in limited action.

Senior Luke Magliaro completes the Magliaro middle of the infield as the starting second baseman and junior Kevin Tamsula fills out the diamond over at the hot corner.

Kelley believes that the lineup has a lot of potential and he's looking for improved team defense in the infield to be one of the Raiders' strengths this spring.

Going into the season, there's a battle for the starting catcher position between sophomore Chris Suleski and senior Mercy College transfer Gerardo A. Reyes.

Kelley also thinks highly of freshman Michael Streim who looks to be in the mix for playing time. Suleski made the most of his 13 appearances in his rookie campaign, batting .324 with a .366 OBP and seven RBI.

Pitchers
Rojas, senior Anthony Rosoline, and senior Casey Hanley make up Kelley's starting rotation.

Rojas will be the ace of the staff coming off a fantastic 2018 that saw him earn a 2.49 ERA in 13 games. The senior captain hurled a team-best 43 strikeouts over 47 innings of work.

Rosoline looks to return stronger from a back injury he suffered last year and will be the #2 while Hanley fills out the rotation following a junior season that saw him go 3-1 with a 3.45 ERA over 10 appearances.

Kelley will be relying heavily on junior reliever Michael Katims as a go-to pitcher out of the bullpen. Katims went 2-0 in 11 games, striking out 14 over 21.1 innings of work. Kelley also expects sophomore Eric Morales as well as rookies Nicholas Casaleggio and Tyler Searles to make big contributions in the later innings.
Sophomore Michael Matusz will be in the mix as a long-reliever who could fill in as a starter on occasion.  

Outlook
"I'm looking for the guys to embody the virtues I set out when I took over this program. It starts with the captains I named on day one and ultimately comes down to every player on the roster working hard everyday with integrity, energy, and effort." concluded Kelley, "I look forward to seeing them compete for the first time as a new unit on March 3."