2019 CANISIUS Baseball Contact: Marshal Filipowicz • (716) 888-8266 (office) • (716) 235-8054 (mobile) • [email protected]

Games 5-8 • Canisius at Charlotte • February 22-24 • Hayes Stadium • Charlotte, N.C.

TEAMS AT A GLANCE PROBABLE DEFENSIVE ALIGNMENT/LINEUP 2019 SCHEDULE Overall: 1-3 • Home: 0-0 • Away: 1-3 #2 Jake ORDER NAME POS. Neutral: 0-0 • MAAC: 0-0 Burlingame #18 Andy #25 Mark 1 Andy Leader LF FEBRUARY OPPONENT TIME/RESULT Leader McKenna 2 Conner Morro SS 15 FRI at Central L, 2-5 #6 Conner #38 Kyle 3 Mark McKenna RF GRIFFS IN 2019 49ers IN 2019 Morro Kush 16 SAT at North Carolina Central W, 8-3 Overall...... 1-3 Overall...... 3-1 4 Stephen Bennett 3B 17 SUN at North Carolina Central L, 0-9 MAAC...... 0-0 MAAC...... 0-0 5 William Krull C 19 TUE at West L, 4-5 Streak...... L2 Streak...... L1 *PROBABLE #30 Stephen ROTATION* #7 Mike 6 Jacob Victor DH 23 SAT at Charlotte 3:00 p.m. Probable Rotation*: Probable Rotation*: Bennett Steffan 7 Jake Burglingame CF 24 SUN at Charlotte 12:00 p.m. 1. RHP Andrew Sipowicz 1. RHP Matt Brooks 8 Mike Steffan 1B 24 SUN at Charlotte 3:00 p.m. 2. RHP Andrew Kneussle 2. LHP Joey Cooner 3. LHP Jeff DeStefano 3. RHP Will Palinkas #9 Jacob 25 MON at Charlotte 11:00 a.m. #28 William Victor 9 Kyle Kush 2B 4. To Be Announced 4. RHP Bryce McGowen Krull * subject to change * subject to change MARCH OPPONENT TIME/RESULT 1 FRI at Kentucky 4:00 p.m. 2 SAT at Kentucky 1:00 p.m. TOUGH START FOR THE BLUE AND GOLD CANISIUS BY 3 SUN at Kentucky 1:00 p.m. • The Golden Griffins started the 2019 season by going 1-2 at North THE NUMBERS 8 FRI at Wright State @ 3:00 p.m. Carolina Central last weekend. The Griffs got 5.2 shutout from 9 SAT at Dayton @ 12:00 p.m. senior Andrew Sipowicz in the Friday opener, while senior Conner 9 SAT at Dayton @ 3:00 p.m. Canisius Morro went 3-5 and junior Stephen Bennett launched a solo home , 10 SUN vs. Ohio University @ 11:00 a.m. 12 qualified 15 FRI at Indiana 6:05 p.m. but Canisius ended up losing, 5-2, to the Eagles. Saturday had the Griffs 16 SAT at Indiana 12:05 p.m. pick up their first win of the campaign, 8-2, off the back of seniorNolan for its 12th- 16 SAT at Indiana 3:05 p.m. straight MAAC 17 SUN at Indiana 1:05 p.m. Hunt's five shutout innings in relief and juniorAndy Leader's three RBI. 19 TUE at Kansas State 3:00 p.m. Rain cut short Sunday's rubber match, as NCCU dropped the Griffs, 9-0, Tournament 20 WED at Kansas State 3:00 p.m. in 5.1 innings, with freshman Kyle Kush drawing two walks. last season. 23 SAT SIENA * 2:30 p.m. 23 SAT SIENA * 5:30 p.m. • The Griffs had a quick turnaround, as they took on West Virginia in mid- It’s the longest 24 SUN SIENA * 12:00 p.m. week action on Tueday in Morgantown. Despite a back-and-forth affair such streak in 30 SAT MANHATTAN * 2:30 p.m. where Canisius tied the game in the top of the ninth, the Mountaineers 30 SAT MANHATTAN * 5:30 p.m. the MAAC. 31 SUN MANHATTAN * 12:00 p.m. and Tristen Hudson walked off in the bottom of the to give West Virginia a 5-4 victory in the earliest home opener in Mountaineer history. 13 Canisius APRIL OPPONENT TIME/RESULT Senior Mark McKenna was the leading force of the Griffs' offense, going 13 players have 6 SAT at Quinnipiac * 12:00 p.m. 3-5 with a double and RBI. 6 SAT at Quinnipiac * 3:00 p.m. been drafted 7 SUN at Quinnipiac * 12:00 p.m. 9 TUE KENT STATE 3:00 p.m. MORRO'S STREAK STAYING ALIVE in the last 12 13 SAT at Marist * 12:00 p.m. • Conner Morro enters play Saturday on a 10-game hit streak that dates seasons. 13 SAT at Marist * 3:00 p.m. 14 SUN at Marist * 12:00 p.m. back to May 24, 2018 against rival Niagara in the MAAC Championship. 19 FRI SAINT PETER’S * 3:00 p.m. • During the hitting streak, the senior shortstop has recorded five multi- Canisius is the 20 SAT SAINT PETER’S * 12:00 p.m. hit contests, four doubles, one triple, one RBI and eight runs scored. 30 20 SAT SAINT PETER’S * 3:00 p.m. only team in 24 WED at Kent State 6:00 p.m. the MAAC to 27 SAT at Fairfield * 12:00 p.m. LEFT SIDE OF INFIELD PROVIDING OFFENSE post seven 27 SAT at Fairfield * 3:00 p.m. • Through four games, the Blue and Gold's left side of the infield has consecutive 28 SUN at Fairfield * 12:00 p.m. been stepping up at the plate. Shortstop Conner Morro and third 30 WED vs. Niagara # 4:00 p.m. 30-plus win baseman Stephen Bennett both have six hits and are one-two on the MAY OPPONENT TIME/RESULT team in batting average. seasons. 4 SAT MONMOUTH * 5:00 p.m. • Morro is leading the Griffs in both batting average (.429) and on-base 5 SUN MONMOUTH * 12:00 p.m. 5 SUN MONMOUTH * 3:00 p.m. percentage (.529), recording three walks, a double, a triple and a stolen The Griffs have 11 SAT at Notre Dame 2:00 p.m. base as well. 15 posted 15-or- 11 SAT at Notre Dame 6:00 p.m. • Bennett has been hot to start, hitting .400 while scoring three runs and 12 SUN at Notre Dame 1:00 p.m. more conference 16 THU at Niagara 12:00 p.m. driving in two more. The junior also has the team's only to go wins in seven 16 THU at Niagara 3:00 p.m. along with a double and a triple, leading the team in slugging (.800). 17 FRI at Niagara 12:00 p.m. straight seasons. 22-25 WED-SAT MAAC Championship % TBA ROOKIES GETTING ON BASE • The first week of collegiate play has been friendly to redshirt-freshman @ Wright State/Dayton Tournament, Dayton, OH Canisius has # Game played at Sal Maglie Stadium, Niagara Falls, NY first baseman Mike Steffan and freshman second baseman Kyle Kush. 50 boasted 50 All- * Conference Game (MAAC) • Steffan, who did not see action in 2018, leads the Griffs in walks (4) and % Richmond County Ballpark (Staten Island, N.Y.) MAAC honorees has a pair of hits, driving in one run and scoring another. • Kush is second on the team with his .500 on-base clip, walking three during the last times and getting plunked once. nine seasons. 2019 BASEBALL

PITCHERS OF PLENTY Golden Griffins 2019 Record When... • The Griffs have used 15 different , allowing for vital work in preparation for Total...... 1-3 future games. The mid-week game at West Virginia alone saw eight different pitchers Conference...... 0-0 take the mound for the Blue and Gold. Non-Conference...... 1-3 • The staff has been led by seniorsAndrew Sipowicz and Nolan Hunt. The pitchers Home...... 0-0 have tossed a combined 10.2 scoreless innings while fanning 11 batters. The Away...... 1-3 Neutral...... 0-0 pitching staff as a whole has also only allowed batters to hit .218 against them. • Senior Jared Kennedy, junior Jarod Burmaster and freshman David Yankowski Day...... 1-3 have all made two appearances for the Griffs. Kennedy was the losing in Night...... 0-0 the team's opener, allowing three runs in 0.2 innings, but the left-hander started vs Left...... 1-1 vs Right...... 0-2 Tuesday's game in Morgantown, pitching one inning of shutout baseball. 1-Run games...... 0-1 • Burmaster closed out the squad's first win the season Saturday, striking out two in 2-Run games...... 0-0 an inning of work. The right-hander, however, gave up the winning run in Tuesday's 5+Run games...... 1-1 loss, allowing two hits in 0.2 innings. Extra innings...... 0-0 Shutouts...... 0-1 • Yankowski faced two batters in the season opener at N.C. Central and then pitched two innings against WVU, allowing one run on one hit and recording a . Scoring 0-2 runs...... 0-2 • Burmaster, Yankowski, and freshmen Brett Kochanski, Alec Ritzenthaler and Scoring 3-5 runs...... 0-1 Andrew Fron all made their first Canisius appearances over the four games. Scoring 6-9 runs...... 1-0 Scoring 10+ runs...... 0-0 SCOUTING CHARLOTTE Opponent 0-2 runs...... 0-0 • Charlotte is 5-1 all-time against the Griffs with all six contests taking place in Opponent 3-5 runs...... 1-2 Charlotte. Canisius last visited in 2014 when the 49ers went 2-1 on the weekend. Opponent 6-9 runs...... 0-1 Opponent 10+ runs...... 0-0 Charlotte scored a 6-0 shutout in the opener, took game two 4-3 in 12 innings before the Blue and Gold took the getaway day win 10-1. Scored in 1st inning...... 0-0 • Charlotte is led by head Loren Hibbs, who is currently coaching in his 27th Opp. Scores in 1st Inning...... 1-0 season, making him the longest-tenured coach in Charlotte’s athletic department. Scores first...... 0-1 Opp. scores first...... 1-2 Coach Hibbs has seen many of his assistant coaches move on to different levels of baseball. Most notably, Mike Shildt was an assistant under Hibbs and is currently After 6 leading...... 1-1 entering his first year as of the MLB's St. Louis Cardinals. After 6 trailing...... 0-0 • Offensively, the Niners are led by redshirt-senior Harris Yett and redshirt-junior After 6 tied...... 0-1 After 7 leading...... 1-0 Drew Ober. The two combined for 78 RBIs and 53 SBs in 2018. On the bump, the After 7 trailing...... 0-1 Green and White welcome back three of their top four starting pitchers in junior After 7 tied...... 0-1 Matt Brooks and seniors Joey Cooner and Chase Gooding. After 8 leading...... 1-0 After 8 trailing...... 0-2 After 8 tied...... 0-0 CHARLOTTE ROLLING EARLY IN 2019 • The 49ers come into play this weekend holding a 3-1 record. The Niners opened Hit 0 home runs...... 1-2 the season with a three-game set hosting Delaware, playing a doubleheader Friday Hit 1 home run...... 0-1 and a single game on Saturday. Charlotte and Delaware played tightly-contested Hit 2+ home runs...... 0-0 baseball all weekend, as the Niners took the opener by a 5-2 score off the ptiching of Opponent 0 home runs...... 1-1 Matt Brooks and Colby Bruce before Rafi Vazquez powered Charlotte to a 3-1 victory Opponent 1 home run...... 0-1 with two hits in the Friday night-cap. The series finale saw the 49ers come from Opponent 2+ HRs...... 0-1 behind thanks to a two-run homer by Harris Yett, sweeping the series with a 5-4 win. Made 0 errors...... 0-1 • Charlotte quickly moved towards Monday, as the Niners had a matchup with No. 14 Made 1 error...... 0-1 Clemson, narrowly erasing a 6-0 deficit and leaving the tying run on second in their Made 2+ errors...... 1-1 first loss of the season, 7-6 to the Tigers. • Vazquez is the team's early leader in batting average (.429) and RBIs (4), while being Opp. made 0 errors...... 0-2 Opp. made 1 error...... 0-1 one of two 49ers batters to hit a home run (Harris is the other). Opp. made 2+ errors...... 1-0 • Bruce, Patrick Szczypinski and Chase Gooding all currently have a 0.00 ERA over two appearances, each working two-plus innings in 2019. Brooks leads the team with 6.2 Out-hit opponent...... 1-2 innings pitched, while Will Palinkas is pacing Charlotte with seven . Out-hit by opponent...... 0-1 Hits are tied...... 0-0 BACK ON TOP THE MAAC February...... 1-3 • The 2018 season saw the Golden Griffins win their third MAAC Championship, March...... 0-0 winning four-straight games in the conference tournament, to earn an auto-bid to April...... 0-0 May ...... 0-0 the NCAA Tournament. June...... 0-0 • Canisius travelled to Minneapolis for their NCAA Regional, playing the host Minnesota Gophers before taking on Gonzaga. • The Griffs previously won the 2013 and 2015 MAAC Championships, while finishing runner-up four times. Canisius has also won the conference’s regular season title four times (1994, 2008, 2010, 2014). 2019 CANISIUS COLLEGE BASEBALL

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS • In the MAAC’s preseason coaches’ poll, Canisius was picked as co-favorites with 2019 Statistical Leaders 2018 MAAC regular season champion Monmouth with 104 points each. OFFENSE • Canisius led the way with five first-place votes, while Monmouth and Marist both Batting Average tallied three first-place votes. Conner Morro...... 429 • Canisius was also predicted to win the MAAC by D1Baseball.com, College Baseball Stephen Bennett...... 400 William Krull ...... 273 Daily, and Perfect Game USA. Runs Scored MORRO, MCKENNA PRESEASON ALL-MAAC Bennett/Victor...... 3 • Seniors Conner Morro and Mark McKenna were both selected to the Preseason Burlingame/Morro...... 2 Four tied at...... 1 All-MAAC Team before the 2019 season, with Morro being the lone shortstop and McKenna being one of five outfielders. Runs Batted In • Morro posted a slash line of .342/.448/.457, with 35 runs scored, 30 RBI and 11 Andy Leader...... 3 stolen bases, earning Canadian Baseball Network’s 2018 All-Canadian Second Team Bennett/McKenna...... 2 Hollins/Krull/Steffan...... 1 honors. Morro ended the season recording at least one hit in every game of the MAAC Championship and NCAA Regional. Doubles • McKenna slashed .333/.406/.418 while tallying 38 runs and 20 RBI to go with 13 Six tied at...... 1 steals, racking up 11 hits and seven RBI in the MAAC Championship to earn All- Triples Tournament honors. Bennett/Morro...... 1

FRANK ON STOPPER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST Home Runs • The Preseason Watch List for the NCBWA’s 2019 Stopper of the Year Award, given to Stephen Bennett...... 1 the top relief pitcher in Division I, included junior Will Frank as the reliever was one Stolen Bases of 75 players named to the initial list. Jake Burlingame...... 2 • The right-hander racked up 41.2 innings over 23 appearances last season, the fifth- Conner Morro...... 1 most appearances in a season by a Canisius pitcher, while finishing with a 4-1 record Walks and three saves. Mike Steffan...... 4 • A native of Grand Island, N.Y., Frank posted a team-low .174 opponent batting Kush/Morro/Victor...... 3 average (third-best in the conference), and his 3.02 ERA put him third on the Griffs. William Krull...... 2 PITCHING A ROTATION OF ANDREWS Wins • The two top returning starters for Canisius are senior right-handers Andrew Nolan Hunt...... 1 Sipowicz and Andrew Kneussle, combining to start 52 games in the previous three seasons, totaling 326.1 innings from 2016 to 2018. Strikeouts Nolan Hunt...... 7 • Sipowicz finished the 2018 campaign with the fourth-most victories in the MAAC Andrew Sipowicz...... 4 (seven) over 14 starts, allowing 83 hits in 63.2 innings while striking out 48 and Chivers/Warner...... 3 walking 22 batters. • Kneussle ended 2018 strong, allowing only six earned runs in 28.0 innings from ERA Four tied at...... 0.00 May 1 on. Totaling 52.1 frames of work last year, Kneussle allowed just 13 walks to 31 David Yankowski...... 3.86 strikeouts. Zach Chivers...... 4.50

STRENGTH IN () ARMS Saves N/A...... 0 • Will Frank leads a large stable of pitchers that saw action in 2018. 10 pitchers return, including Andrew Sipowicz and Andrew Kneussle, while Frank and senior Appearances Jared Kennedy totaled the most innings out of the bullpen in last season. Burmaster/Kennedy/Yankowski...... 2 • Kennedy tossed 37.2 IP while registering a 3.82 ERA, as the Canadian will be the 12 tied at...... 1 top returning left-hander on the staff. Senior LHPNolan Hunt and juniors LHP Starts Kyle Warner and RHP Carson Perkins all pitched over 15.0 innings last season. Four tied at...... 1 Sophomores LHP Zach Chivers, LHP Jeff DeStefano and RHP Omar Ward appeared in eight, four and five games, respectively, during their rookie campaigns.

RECORD BOOK WATCHING • Jared Kennedy (fourth-3.04) and Will Frank (seventh-3.38) both entered 2019 in the top-10 for ERA in program history. Frank (.206) and Kennedy (.221) were also fourth and fifth in opponent batting average, while Nolan Hunt was eighth at .231. • Frank’s four career saves sat tied for 10th all-time, while his 9.72 strikeouts/9 IP ranked fourth in Canisius history. • Andrew Sipowicz totaled 177.2 innings over his first three seasons on Main Street, good for 14th in program history. 2019 CANISIUS COLLEGE BASEBALL

HERE COME THE REDSHIRTS • The Griffs have six players from last year’s squad that will make their collegiate Canisius Facts debut in 2019: redshirt-sophomore OF Jake Woodrich and redshirt-freshmen RHP General Nick DeBrino, 1B Mike Steffan, OF Cole Hollins, INF Mike Mazzara and OF Michael Name of School...... Canisius College Ssemanda. Steffan and Hollins have both appeared already through Canisius' first City/Zip...... Buffalo, NY 14208 four games of the season. Founded...... 1870 Enrollment...... 2,398 NEW FACES, NEW PLACES Nickname...... Golden Griffins or Griffs • The Griffs opened 2019 with 11 newcomers, highlighted by a seven-man freshman School Colors...... Blue (PMS 289) and Gold (PMS 124) class consisting of four pitchers and three position players. Home Venue...... Demske Sports Complex • On the mound, Brett Kochanski, David Yankowski and Andrew Fron are Capacity...... 1,000 (lights) offering new options from the right-side, andAlec Ritzenthaler has added another Surface...... A-Turf southpaw to a deep pitching staff. Affiliation...... NCAA, Division I • Trevor Henneman will see time behind the plate, while 1B/OF Dylan Vincent and Conference...... Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference INF Kyle Kush have joined a veteran-laden infield. President...... John J. Hurley Alma Mater/Year...... Canisius ‘78 FROM JUCO TO CANISIUS Athletic Director...... Bill Maher • In a continuing trend, the Griffs have three transfers from junior colleges that are in Alma mater/Year...... B.S. Canisius ‘89 their first season on Main Street...... M.S. East Stroudsburg ‘90 • OF/1B Andy Leader joined the Blue and Gold after spending two seasons with Website...... www.GoGriffs.com Colby Community College, while RHP Jarod Burmaster and UTIL Noah Thompson arrived from nearby Niagara County Community College with two years of History experience under their belts. First year of baseball...... circa 1890s • The three juniors join fellow JUCO products SS Conner Morro and OF Canice Ejoh, First year of varsity baseball...... 1954 who both made an immediate impact for the Griffs in 2018's championship run. Overall all-time record...... 918-1,126-3 (.450) Years in NCAA Tournament...... 2013, 2015, 2018 CANADIANS, EH MAAC Regular-Season Titles...... 4 (Last: 2014) • Located 15 minutes away from the Peace Bridge and the US-Canada border, MLB Draft Picks...... 14 (Last: Tyler Smith, 2018-LAA) Canisius has a long tradition of having Canadians on the roster. • The 2019 edition of the Griffs boasts eight Canadians, featuring six Ontarians, one Coaching Staff Albertan and one Saskatchewan native. ...... Matt Mazurek • Of the 14 Canisius draft picks, eight of those have come from north of the border, Alma Mater/Year...... Canisius ‘06 (M.S. ‘12) with the most recent being INF Jake Lumley in 2017 to the . Record at School (Years)...... 36-25 (2nd Season) Career Record...... 36-25 (2nd Season) WESTERN PRIDE Assistant Coach...... Brandon Bielecki • Of the 38 players on the Canisius roster, 19 are from the 17 counties that make up Alma Mater...... Canisius ‘15 Western New York. Assistant Coach...... Blake Urquhart • 14 players are from Erie County and the Buffalo area alone, including four from Alma Mater...... AMU ‘14 Orchard Park and two from Grand Island. Volunteer Assistant...... Alex Kubera Graduate Student Manager...... Max Schrantz PIPELINE STATES Athletic Trainer...... Chrissy James • The makeup of the 2019 Golden Griffins consists of players from three states and three Canadian provinces. Athletic Communications • New York State is home to 25 members of the roster, while the Griffs have three Grad. Assistant/Baseball Contact...... Marshal Filipowicz Pennsylvania natives and two Floridians on the squad. Office Phone...... 716-888-8266 • Nick DeBrino (Brandon, Fla.) and Dylan Vincent (Eldred, Pa.) both attended high Cell Phone...... 716-574-4201 school in New York, as DeBrino went to Christian Brothers Academy in Albany while E-Mail...... [email protected] Vincent played for Olean High School along the NY-PA border. Assistant AD/Communications...... Matt Reitnour Office Phone...... 716-888-8265 ALL IN THE FAMILY Assistant Director...... Jarrett Abelson • Redshirt-freshman Cole Hollins has two relatives with professional experience, as Office Phone...... 716-888-8267 his uncle, Dave Hollins, played in the MLB for 12 seasons and was a 1993 All-Star, Director of Digital Media...... Garrett Layton while his cousin, Bubba Hollins, was drafted by the and is currently Office Fax...... 716-888-8444 in the system. Cole’s father, Paul, also played baseball collegiately at Mailing Address...... South Carolina...... 2001 Main Street - Buffalo, NY 14208 • Junior Jarod Burmaster is the cousin of catcher Jonah Heim, a Baltimore Orioles draft pick now playing in the Oakland Athletics organization. Social Media ...... @GriffsBaseball Instagram...... @griffsbaseball Facebook...... @GriffsBaseball Athletics Twitter/Instagram/Facebook...... @GoGriffs 2019 CANISIUS COLLEGE BASEBALL

FIRST YEAR, FIRST TITLE FOR MAZUREK • The 2018 MAAC Championship under head coach Matt Mazurek is the first time a Griffs Honors Canisius baseball head coach has won the conference title in their first year. CONNER MORRO • The 35-22 (16-8 MAAC) record was also the best of any Griffs head coach in their • 2018 CBN All-Canadian Second Team first season in the last 39 seasons. • 2019 All-MAAC Preseason Team • Mazurek was an assistant for both the 2013 and 2015 championship campaigns. MARK McKENNA MAZUREK ENSHRINED BY CANISIUS • 2018 MAAC All-Championship Team • Matt Mazurek was announced in November 2018 as part of the 56th induction • 2019 All-MAAC Preseason Team class to the Canisius Sports Hall of Fame, officially being enshrined in January 2019 for his accolades as a Canisius baseball player. WILL FRANK • Mazurek played two seasons for Canisius, being named the 2006 Canisius College • 2019 Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List Male Athlete of the Year after posting a .358 AVG and .438 OBP in 54 games. • The two-time All-MAAC First Team selection had a career .355 AVG, finishing his CANISIUS BASEBALL career as the program’s all-time hits leader. • 2019 MAAC Preseason Poll Co-Favorites

WNY COACHING CONNECTIONS • Four of the five members of the Canisius coaching staff are Western New York natives. Matt Mazurek hails from Silver Creek, assistant coach Brandon Bielecki is an Amherst native (Clarence High School), while volunteer assistant Alex Kubera and graduate student manager Max Schrantz both come from Dunkirk. • Kubera and Schrantz played together for Dunkirk High School, being battery-mates in 2013. • The four WNYers are also all junior-college products, as Mazurek (Jamestown CC) and Bielecki (Niagara CCC) both ended up at Canisius, Kubera (Niagara CCC) at Division II Le Moyne and Schrantz (Mercyhurst North East) at Division II Mercyhurst.

GRIFFS IN THE PROS • Canisius has seen 14 of their players selected in the Draft since 1980; 13 of which have been since 2009 and five since 2015. • Pitcher Tyler Smith (2018, 8th Rd., LAA) was the highest Canisius draftee since Joe Mamott in 1994, who was taken in the sixth round by the . The 2018 MAAC Relief Pitcher of the Year was also the second-highest draft pick in the MAAC since 2015. • OF Connor Panas (’15) and OF Brett Siddall (‘15) both reached Double-A in 2018. This was the highest level reached by a Canisius draftee since INF Sean Jamieson (‘11) and RHP Garrett Cortright (‘13) both reached Triple-A in 2016. • Panas has won minor league championships in back-to-back seasons, first with the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Single-A Florida State League in 2017, then with the What is a Griffin? Double-AA New Hampshire Fisher Cats in the 2018 Eastern League playoffs. The Griffin is a mythical • Following the 2018 season, Panas was traded from the creature of supposed organization to the for LHP Clayton Richard. gigantic size that has • John Axford, who spent the 2006 season with Canisius as a graduate student, the head, forelegs and broke into the MLB with the in September 2009. Axford has now wings of an eagle and the spent 10 seasons with 8 different teams, including the Blue Jays and Dodgers during hindquarters, tail and ears of the 2018 season. The 2011 saves leader has completed 144 saves in a lion. They are well known for their speed, ability 525.1 innings of work. to fly and having eyes like an eagle as well as the • Axford was resigned for the 2019 season by the Blue Jays after being traded to the strength and courage of a lion. at the 2018 MLB Trade Deadline. Griffins have been known for centuries as symbols 2018 CLASS UPDATE of strength and vigilance, have been called “The • Tyler Smith started his pro career off well with the Rookie-level Orem Owlz, Hounds of Zeus” in Greek mythology and are said totaling 27.1 innings over 17 appearances and notching 32 strikouts and one . to have mastery of both the land and sky. • LHP J.P. Stevenson, the 2018 MAAC Pitcher of the Year, and INF Liam Wilson made They are thought to be from India, where the their pro debuts with the independent Quebec Capitales of the Can-Am League. natives of the land made their talons and claws Stevenson pitched 11 innings over three games, striking out six and walking one, into drinking cups because the talon of a Griffin while Wilson notched two hits and two walks over five games. was said to detect poison in a liquid. Griffins • Catcher Christ Conley joined the Utica Unicorns of the indy-ball USPBL, hitting would find gold in the mountains and line their .305 with a .458 on-base clip in 25 games, driving in 12 RBI. Conley is signed to nests with it and as a result, were forced to play the 2019 season with the Milwaukee Milkmen of the American Association of become great guardians of the nests to keep the Independent . hunters away. 2019 CANISIUS COLLEGE BASEBALL

VIRAL STARS • Sophomore backstop Jake Zurat traded in one set of pads for another in the fall, as the former high school goalie joined the Canisius hockey team on an emergency basis when injuries left the Ice Griffs with one healthy goalie. Practicing and dressing with the team in November and December, Zurat saw action in a Nov. 10 game against Clarkson and made three saves in one minute of play. The story was featured on various hockey and local news outlets. • Andrew Sipowicz became one-half of a heartwarming national story around Thanksgiving, as a tweet of his garnered over two million likes on Twitter. Sipowicz’s parked car was involved in a hit-and-run with a school bus while the senior was in class. An anonymous sixth grader dropped off by the bus left Sipowicz a note detailing the accident. The story eventually caught the attention of CBS Evening News, as the show organized for Sipowicz and the good Samaritan to finally meet, giving Sipowicz a chance to thank the young girl on national television. 2019 CANISIUS COLLEGE BASEBALL

Numerical Roster Alphabetical Roster

# Name B/T Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous School No. Name Year Pos 2 Jake Burlingame L/R OF 5-10 185 Jr. Horseheads, N.Y./Horseheads 30 Bennett, Stephen Jr. 3B 3 Jake Woodrich L/R OF 5-10 166 RSo. Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park 2 Burlingame, Jake Jr. OF 4 Nick DeBrino R/R RHP 5-8 165 RFr. Brandon, Fla./CBA Albany 36 Burmaster, Jarod Jr. RHP 5 Brett Migliore L/R 2B 5-10 176 Jr. Wellsville, N.Y./Wellsville 33 Chivers, Zach So. LHP 6 Conner Morro R/R SS 5-11 176 Sr. Cheltenham, Ontario/Chattanooga State CC 4 DeBrino, Nick RFr. RHP 7 Mike Steffan S/R 1B/OF 6-2 191 RFr. Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville East 23 DeStefano, Jeff So. LHP 8 Canice Ejoh R/R OF 6-0 215 Sr. Toronto, Ontario/Cochise College 9 Cole Hollins L/L OF 6-0 200 RFr. Buffalo, N.Y./Orchard Park 8 Ejoh, Canice Sr. OF 10 Mike Mazzara R/R INF 5-11 195 RFr. Buffalo, N.Y./Canisius 26 Frank, Will Jr. RHP 11 Jacob Martins R/R 2B 6-1 195 So. Richmond Hill, Ontario/TMS Elgin Mills 32 Fron, Andrew Fr. RHP 12 Omar Ward R/R RHP 6-2 217 So. Brenizer, Pa./The Kiski School 22 Henneman, Trevor Fr. C/1B 13 Jake Zurat R/R C 5-10 196 So. East Amherst, N.Y./Williamsville North 9 Hollins, Cole RFr. OF 14 Joseph Preziuso R/R INF 6-0 180 Sr. Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster 19 Hunt, Nolan Sr. LHP 15 Jacob Victor R/R OF 6-1 196 Jr. Orchard Park, N.Y./St. Francis 34 Kennedy, Jared Sr. LHP 16 Brett Kochanski R/R RHP 5-11 167 Fr. Cheektowaga, N.Y./Cleveland Hill 27 Kneussle, Andrew Sr. RHP 17 Michael Ssemanda R/R OF 5-11 172 RFr. Hamilton, Ontario/Cathedral 16 Kochanski, Brett Fr. RHP 18 Andy Leader R/R OF/1B 6-1 196 Jr. Kitchener, Ontario/Colby CC 28 Krull, William RJr. C 19 Nolan Hunt L/L LHP 6-0 187 Sr. Westfield, N.Y./Westfield Academy 38 Kush, Kyle Fr. INF 20 David Yankowski R/R RHP 5-10 180 Fr. Valatie, N.Y./Ichabod Crane 18 Leader, Andy Jr. OF/1B 21 Kyle Warner R/L LHP 6-0 225 Jr. Springville, N.Y./Springville Griffith 11 Martins, Jacob So. 2B 22 Trevor Henneman R/R C/1B 6-0 208 Fr. Painted Post, N.Y./Corning-Painted Post 10 Mazzara, Mike RFr. INF 23 Jeff DeStefano R/L LHP 6-2 207 So. Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool 25 McKenna, Mark Sr. OF 24 Andrew Sipowicz R/R RHP 6-3 230 Sr. Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park 5 Migliore, Brett Jr. 2B 25 Mark McKenna L/L OF 5-10 188 Sr. Grand Island, N.Y./Grand Island 6 Morro, Conner Sr. SS 26 Will Frank R/R RHP 6-0 209 Jr. Grand Island, N.Y./St. Joseph’s 31 Perkins, Carson Jr. RHP 27 Andrew Kneussle R/R RHP 6-1 208 Sr. Plattsburgh, N.Y./Peru Central 14 Preziuso, Joseph Sr. INF 28 William Krull R/R C 6-0 208 RJr. Coraopolis, Pa./Montour 35 Ritzenthaler, Alec Fr. LHP 29 Dylan Vincent L/R 1B/OF 6-0 215 Fr. Eldred, Pa./Olean 29 Sipowicz, Andrew Sr. RHP 30 Stephen Bennett R/R 3B 6-0 185 Jr. Auburn, N.Y./Auburn 17 Ssemanda, Michael RFr. OF 31 Carson Perkins R/R RHP 6-5 206 Jr. Bienfait, Saskatchewan/Vauxhall Academy 7 Steffan, Mike RFr. 1B/OF 32 Andrew Fron R/R RHP 6-3 210 Fr. Buffalo, N.Y./Kenmore West 39 Thompson, Noah Jr. UTIL 33 Zach Chivers R/L LHP 6-1 193 So. Jupiter, Fla./Score Academy 41 Tucker, CJ So. LHP 34 Jared Kennedy L/L LHP 6-1 200 Sr. Calgary, Alberta/Vauxhall Academy 15 Victor, Jacob Jr. OF 35 Alec Ritzenthaler L/L LHP 6-3 193 Fr. Niskayuna, N.Y./Niskayuna 29 Vincent, Dylan Fr. 1B/OF 36 Jarod Burmaster R/R RHP 5-9 173 Jr. Fredonia, N.Y./Niagara CCC 12 Ward, Omar So. RHP 38 Kyle Kush L/R INF 5-9 165 Fr. Guelph, Ontario/GCVI 21 Warner, Kyle Jr. LHP 39 Noah Thompson R/R UTIL 6-0 183 Jr. East Aurora, N.Y./Niagara CCC 3 Woodrich, Jake RSo. OF 41 CJ Tucker L/L LHP 5-7 160 So. Whitesboro, N.Y./Utica Notre Dame 20 Yankowski, David Fr. RHP 13 Zurat, Jake So. C HEAD COACH: Matt Mazurek (Canisius ’06), Second Season, 14th with Program PITCHING/ASSISTANT COACH: Brandon Bielecki (Canisius ’15), Second Season, Fifth with Program ASSISTANT COACH: Blake Urquhart (AMU ’14), Third Season VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT: Alex Kubera (LeMoyne ‘18), First Season GRADUATE STUDENT MANAGER: Max Schrantz (Mercyhurst ‘17), First Season ATHLETIC TRAINER: Chrissy James DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE: Mike Guzda

The Griffs By Position Pronunciation Guide Left-Handed Pitchers...... 7 #4 Nick DeBrino: Duh-Bree-no Right-Handed Pitchers...... 10 #5 Brett Migliore: Mig-lee-or-ee Catchers...... 3 #6 Conner Morro: More-O Infielders...... 10 #8 Canice Ejoh: Ca-niece Ee-Joe Outfielders...... 8 #9 Mike Steffan: Steff-in #10 Mike Mazzara: Mah-zar-ah The Griffs By Class #13 Jake Zurat: Zur-at Freshmen...... 12 #14 Joseph Preziuso: Prez-ee-ooh-so Sophomores...... 7 #16 Brett Kochanski: Ka-chan-ski Juniors...... 11 #17 Michael Ssemanda: Sah-manda Seniors...... 8 #20 David Yankowski: Yan-cow-ski #22 Trevor Henneman: Hen-ah-man #23 Jeff DeStefano: Da-Stef-uh-no The Griffs By State/Province #24 Andrew Sipowicz: Sip-oh-wits Canada...... 8 #27 Andrew Kneussle: New-sole Alberta...... 1 #28 William Krull: Cruel Ontario...... 6 #35 Alec Ritzenthaler: Ritz-in-thaler Saskatchewan...... 1 United States...... 30 HC Matt Mazurek: Mah-zur-ick Florida...... 2 AC Brandon Bielecki: Buh-leck-key New York...... 25 AC Blake Urquhart: Urk-heart Pennsylvania...... 3 VA Alex Kubera: Koo-bear-ah 2019 CANISIUS COLLEGE BASEBALL

Matt Mazurek Head Coach • 2nd Season 36-25/16-8 MAAC Matt Mazurek is entering his second season as the head coach of the Golden Griffin baseball team and 14th season overall with the program.

In his first season at the helm, Mazurek led Canisius to the 2018 MAAC Championship, seeing the Blue and Gold advance to the NCAA Regional hosted by Minnesota. It was his third conference title as part of the Canisius coaching staff, serving as an assistant coach for the 2013 and 2015 MAAC Championship teams.

Mazurek’s first season as head coach also saw the Golden Griffins rack up numerous awards. Mazurek’s players won two major conference honors, with J.P. Stevenson taking home 2018 MAAC Pitcher of the Year and Tyler Smith earning the 2018 MAAC Relief Pitcher of the Year. In addition, he had four players named to All-MAAC selections, including hitters Liam Wilson (First Team), Ryan Stekl (First Team), and Gage Lanning (Second Team). Stevenson and Wilson were also selected as All-Americans, while Smith was taken in the eighth round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the , the highest picked Griff since Joe Mamott in 1994.

Statistically under Mazurek, Canisius hitters led the MAAC in five individual categories, while Canisius pitchers ranked first in three individual categories. Nationally, Mazurek coached Wilson to the third-most doubles in Division I (27), while Stevenson finished 10th with 10 wins on the mound.

Before being promoted to the role of head coach on Sept. 6, 2017, Mazurek spent 10 years as an assistant on the Canisius baseball coaching staff under former head coach Mike McRae. Mazurek, a former student-athlete at Canisius, became just the fourth head coach for the baseball program in the last 40 years.

Mazurek served as the program’s hitting instructor for eight seasons, where a total of 11 different Griffs ranked among the MAAC’s top-five in batting average. Additionally, Canisius has led the conference in home runs four times in those eight seasons, highlighted by a school record 90 homers in 2009, which ranked the Griffs 19th in the nation as a team.

The Silver Creek, N.Y., native was a member of the coaching staff that has helped produce 13 Major League Baseball draft picks since 2009, including seven hitters (Jake Lumley, Conor Panas, Brett Siddall, Sean Jamieson, Steve McQuail, Kevin Mailloux and Kevin Mahoney). Lumley was named the 2017 MAAC Player of the Year and finished his career on Main Street as the program’s all- time hits leader.

The 2006 Canisius College Male Athlete of the Year, Mazurek played two seasons for the Griffs under McRae. A career .355 hitter as a Griff, he led the squad with a team best .358 batting average in his senior campaign to go along with 68 hits, 44 RBI and 18 stolen bases. As a junior in 2005, Mazurek led Canisius with a .351 batting average with 54 hits, seven home runs and 41 runs batted in. He was a two-time All-MAAC First Team selection as well.

Before joining Canisius, Mazurek played two seasons at Jamestown Community College, earning first team all-region on the way to the 2004 NJCAA Division III World Series. Mazurek also lettered three years for Silver Creek High School’s baseball team.

After closing out his collegiate career, Mazurek played professional baseball for three seasons. In 2007, he was a member of the Joilet Jackhammers of the Northern League, and then spent two years (2008 and 2009) with the Rockford Riverhawks of the Frontier League.

Mazurek graduated from Canisius with his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 2006 and he earned his master’s degree in sport administration from the College in 2012.

He lives in Tonawanda, N.Y., with his wife Sara, daughter Makenna, and son Maverick. 2019 CANISIUS COLLEGE BASEBALL

Brandon Bielecki Blake Urquhart Assistant Coach (Pitching) Assistant Coach

Brandon Bielecki is entering his second Blake Urquhart begins his third season with the season with the Griffs as an assistant coach. The Golden Griffins baseball team and first year as an 2019 campaign will be his fourth full season with the program, winning MAAC championships as both a assistant coach, having served as the volunteer player and a coach. assistant coach for the previous two seasons. In his first year as Canisius’ pitching coach, Bielecki helped lead the Blue and Gold to the 2018 MAAC During his second season with the Griffs, Urquhart Championship, advancing the Golden Griffins to helped lead the Canisius baseball team to the 2018 a NCAA Regional appearance in Minnesota. He oversaw the development of Tyler Smith, who was selected in the 8th round of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship, the 2018 MLB Draft after winning 2018 MAAC Relief Pitcher of the Year, and J.P. advancing to the NCAA Regional in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Stevenson, who earned the 2018 MAAC Pitcher of the Year nod as well as Third Team All-American honors. As part of the coaching staff, Urquhart has seen his players win the 2017 MAAC Bielecki joined the Canisius staff after a brief stint with Tyler Junior College, an Player of the Year (Jake Lumley), 2018 MAAC Pitcher of the Year (J.P. Stevenson), NJCAA school located in Tyler, Texas. and 2018 MAAC Relief Pitcher of the Year (Tyler Smith), with Canisius players Prior to his work at Tyler, Bielecki served as associate head baseball coach at earning a total of eight All-MAAC honors in Urquhart’s first two seasons. He has Niagara County Community College, where he worked with former Griff hurler also witnessed a pair of Griffs be selected in the MLB Draft, with Lumley being Matt Clingersmith. drafted to the Oakland Athletics in 2017 and Smith going to the Los Angeles Bielecki helped lead the Thunderwolves’ pitching staff to two consecutive Angels in 2018. NJCAA World Series appearances, which included two seasons with 45- plus wins, breaking the school record for victories in each year (45 and 47, respectively). The former college pitcher worked with four All–Americans at Urquhart, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, previously coached at the University NCCC, including pitcher Christian Lindsay–Young, who was selected in the 21st of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas during the 2016 season. He also was the round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the . head coach for the Gameday Crusaders in the Mile High Collegiate Baseball In his two years at NCCC, Bielecki led one of the best pitching staffs in the League based out of Denver, Colo., during the summers of 2016 and 2017, country. His 2017 staff led the nation in total strikeouts and ranked second nationally in team ERA (3.01). In 2016, the Thunderwolves’ staff led the country in team ERA at 2.66. Under Bielecki’s tutelage, 12 NCCC pitchers received Urquhart earned his bachelor’s degree in sports and health sciences from scholarships to play at NCAA Division I or II institutions. American Military University in 2014. Urquhart completed his master’s degree in sports management with a concentration in Sports Administration from Bielecki pitched for two seasons at Canisius, serving as the team’s closer in 2014. In his first year with the program, Bielecki threw 4.2 scoreless innings AMU in March 2017. against then-No. 5 North Carolina State on the road. In his final year with the Blue and Gold, Bielecki was a part of the 2015 squad that captured the MAAC Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. Bielecki started his collegiate playing career at NCCC, where he captained the Thunderwolves to a pair of NJCAA Div. III World Series appearances in 2012 and 2013. The Amherst, N.Y., native played scholastically at Clarence High School. Bielecki earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Canisius in 2015 and he is currently pursuing a master’s degree in sport administration at Canisius.

Alex Kubera Max Schrantz Volunteer Assistant Graduate Student Manager

Alex Kubera is in his first season with the Golden Max Schrantz is in his first season with the Golden Griffin baseball program as a volunteer assistant Griffin baseball program as a graduate student coach, working primarily with the pitching staff. manager.

Prior to his time with the Griffs, Kubera played two Prior to his time at Canisius, Schrantz played two seasons at NCAA Division II Le Moyne College. In his seasons at NCAA Division II Mercyhurst University, senior season, the Dolphins earned a trip to the East in which he was part of two nationally ranked Regional of the 2018 NCAA Baseball Championships. teams, being voted No. 1 on multiple occasions. For his Le Moyne career, Kubera totaled 113.2 innings and 100 strikeouts, going Before his time at Mercyhurst, Schrantz spent two seasons at NJCAA Division 11-5 in 32 appearances. II Mercyhurst North East, where he was a First Team All-Region III selection his sophomore season. The Dunkirk, N.Y., native started his collegiate career at Niagara County Community College. With NCCC, Kubera was named to the 2016 Region III All- Following his playing career, Schrantz went back to his alma mater, Dunkirk Academic Team and was a member of the 2016 NJCAA Division III World Series High School, to serve as an assistant coach. Schrantz also served as the head team. Kubera finished his Thunderwolves career with an 8-2 record and five coach of the Chautauqua County Senior All-Star Game in 2018. saves in 23 appearances. Outside the lines, Schrantz served in the baseball operations department for Kubera was a teammate of fellow baseball coaching staff member Max the Jamestown Jammers of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League. Schrantz at Dunkirk High School. The Dunkirk, N.Y., native earned his bachelor’s degree in business studies Kubera earned his bachelor’s degree from Le Moyne in May 2018. from Mercyhurst and is pursuing a master’s degree in sport administration at Canisius College. 2019 CANISIUS COLLEGE BASEBALL TEAM

#2 Jake #3 Jake #4 Nick #5 Brett #6 Conner #7 Mike #8 Canice #9 Cole Burlingame Woodrich DeBrino Migliore Morro Steffan Ejoh Hollins Jr. - OF RSo. - OF RFr. - RHP Jr. - 2B Sr. - SS RFr. - 1B/OF Sr. - OF RFr. - OF Horsehads, Orchard Park, Brandon, Wellsville, Cheltenham, Williamsville, Toronto, Buffalo, N.Y. N.Y. Fla. N.Y. Ontario N.Y. Ontario N.Y.

#10 Mike #11 Jacob #12 Omar #13 Jake #14 Joseph #15 Jacob #16 Brett #17 Michael Mazzara Martins Ward Zurat Preziuso Victor Kochanski Ssemanda RFr. - INF So. - 2B So. - RHP So. - C Sr. - INF Jr. - OF Fr.- RHP RFr. - OF Buffalo, Richmond Hill, Brenizer, East Amherst, Lancaster, Orchard Park, Cheektowaga, Hamilton, N.Y. Ontario Pa. N.Y. N.Y. N.Y. N.Y. Ontario

#18 Andy #19 Nolan #20 David #21 Kyle #22 Trevor #23 Jeff #24 Andrew #25 Mark Leader Hunt Yankowski Warner Henneman DeStefano Sipowicz McKenna Jr. - OF/1B Sr. - LHP Fr. - RHP Jr. - LHP Fr. - C/1B So. - LHP Sr. - RHP Sr. - OF Kitchener, Westfield, Valatie, Springville, Painted Post, Liverpool, Orchard Park, Grand Island, Ontario N.Y. N.Y. N.Y. N.Y. N.Y. N.Y. N.Y.

#26 Will #27 Andrew #28 William #29 Dylan #30 Stephen #31 Carson #32 Andrew #33 Zach Frank Kneussle Krull Vincent Bennett Perkins Fron Chivers Jr. - RHP Sr. - RHP RJr. - C Fr. - 1B/OF Jr. - 3B Jr. - RHP Fr. - RHP So. - LHP Grand Island, Plattsburgh, Coraopolis, Eldred, Auburn, Bienfait, Buffalo, Jupiter, N.Y. N.Y. Pa. Pa. N.Y. Saskatchewan N.Y. Fla.

#34 Jared #35 Alec #36 Jarod #38 Kyle #39 Noah #41 CJ Kennedy Ritzenthaler Burmaster Kush Thompson Tucker Sr. - LHP Fr. - LHP Jr. - RHP Fr. - INF Jr. - UTIL So. - LHP Calgary, Niskayuna, Fredonia, Guelph, East Aurora, Whitesboro, Alberta N.Y. N.Y. Ontario N.Y. N.Y.