First I want to take time out to thank the seniors: Henry Ennen, Teddy Beaudet, Scott Holzwasser, David Stiehl, Ian Fair, Brandon Dufault, Owen Batchelder, Rick Burroni, Brian Rodriguez, Kyle Murphy, Kyle Peterson, Craig Demers.

Although some of them have the option of returning, all of them were honored on Senior Day last month and they helped lay the groundwork for the program. They also played in two NCAA Tournaments.

Obviously, we're disappointed that they couldn't get some wins in Arkansas, but it was still a great season. One that saw NU tie a school record for wins, tie the longest winning streak in program history (20) and a new single-season home run leader (Dupere).

I'm very excited about next season and building on what was accomplished in 2021. A solid nucleus is still in place and the talent NU is coming into the program just keeps getting better.

In Arkansas, I think the freshman tandem of Keane, Scotti, and Schlitter ran out of gas and experienced what playing in a national tourney is all about. But the rotation for 2022 is set. Schlittler, Keane and Scotti will likely be the weekend rotation. '21 freshman Eric Yost, James Quinlivan, Thomas Balboni, Jake Gigliotti, Will Jones and Soph, Nick Davis, Owen Langan are in the bullpen. Yost could be the closer and I also think incoming freshman Dennis Colleran (if he doesn't sign) could be used as a closer too.

The big question is will redshirt soph. Jared Dupere return. He's draft-eligible. I think he should return for one more year to hone his skills a little more. Ben Malgeri is also draft-eligible but I think he will come back. The same for Jeff Costello. The infield is set with Danny Crossen at 3B, Spenser Smith at SS, Max Viera at 2B, and Corey DiLoretto at 1B. JP Olsen will be behind the plate. NU also has some freshmen who didn't get on the field but could be ready to contribute in 1B Jack Thorbahn, OF Kyle Hoog and OF Mark Darakjy.

NU has an excellent freshman class that will help right away.

The headliner is Colleran who if he comes to school, could go into the rotation as the midweek or a weekend starter. He's that good. But likely he could go in the backend of the bullpen. RHP Jack Beauchesne is another big arm who could be a midweek starter and the same for Phil DiBlasi. Both can add to the pen too.

Offensively, the two headliners are SS/OF Michael Sirota from Queens, NY, and OF Luke Masiuk. Both are big-time talents who can hit and field the position. They can go right into the lineup if Dupere, Mageri, Costello leave.

All that being said I think NU next season has all the right pieces to have another 30+ win season and defend their conference championship... without a doubt.

Thanks wiz for all your insight into the baseball program this season and seasons past. While baseball isn't one of my top sports, I always do my best to follow NU, and a winning program makes it a bit easier. I attended just a few games as a student, and have been lucky to catch a few away games over the last few seasons while my travels have intersected with the team.

This team was a blast to watch this season. I'm really excited for how many important pieces we will be bringing back next season. Obviously draft question marks but we have a solid nucleus.

The tournament was tough to swallow. We know how rare it is to come by an NCAA tourney victory in any sport as Northeastern fans, but the suffering must make the eventual payoff all the more worth it (right??)

(06-09-2021 10:23 AM)SomebodyToLove Wrote:  We know how rare it is to come by an NCAA tourney victory in any sport as Northeastern fans, but the suffering must make the eventual payoff all the more worth it (right??)

I sure hope so.

We have to snap this losing drought in the NCAA's in most of our sports.

Schlittler and Viera named freshman All-Americans by Collegiate Baseball.

From Baseball America…

2021 Mid-Major College Baseball Stock Watch: Who is Trending Up, Down?

Northeastern (36-12, 20-3 in CAA), reached regionals (arrow up)

The CAA split into two divisions last season, and Northeastern took full advantage of being in the more favorable North Division by going 20-3 in conference play during the regular season. But anyone who saw the Huskies live could tell you that it was more than a team that caught breaks in its schedule. This was a talented team that was the best in the region, even if it did end up exiting regional play a disappointing 0-2.

Mike Glavine and his staff have really built up this program nicely. The Huskies have consistently been among the best teams in the CAA over the last several years, and that shouldn’t change in 2022 with the return of two future pros on the mound in Sebastian Keane and Cam Schlittler and a solid core in the lineup led by Max Viera and Jeff Costello.

BA also listed Dallas Baptist, UC Irvine and Fairfield.