The Blizzard had a number of players who excelled on their college teams this spring and helped lead their teams into the post season. Departing and graduating seniors Bryan Gregorich, Aaron Miller and Jesse Coblentz all had very good years at Marietta, John Carroll and Malone. They are all real competitors who will be missed greatly in the Blizzard dugout. Like all former Blizzard players, they are always welcome.
Matt Murzynski and Ryan Sason (coming off of elbow surgery) were integral in helping to pitch Mount Union into the post season. Andrew Frey had a great second half for Case Western as they also made the post season. Jack LaMarca and Dan Belliveau were Ohio Northern's two leading hitters out of the 3 and 4 slots in the lineup. Adam Urbania lit up the national junior college stat sheet while playing for Tri-C. He will be heading to Slippery Rock in the fall. Jim Jaksa had a great year at Hiram. Anthony Tomasone started almost every game at Mercyhusrt. Ditto Kevin Bernay at Notre Dame College. Giancarlo Saia had a very good year at Lakeland and will be going to Mercyhurst in the fall. Corey Waite was having a good season on the mound at Baldwin Wallace until he injured his hand. He should be ready to throw by June 1. Isaiah Marsh was a weekend starter for Point Park University who once again made the NAIA post season tournament. Matt Elko was the number 3 starter at Thiel as a freshman. Newcomer John Martillotta started the last 20 games for Toledo at third base after being recruited primarily as a pitcher. In addition, newcomers Dan Koller and Travis Smetana had productive seasons as freshmen at Thiel and College of the Albemarle. Patrick Ammar, who has decided to play in the Virginia League this summer, was Wheeling Jesuit's leading hitter and former Blizzard player, Zach Persky, was first team all conference and the best player on the roster of Rollins College which plays in the prestigious Sunshine State Conference in Florida.
In addition to all of that exciting news, the Blizzard has added Matt Kastelic (Notre Dame College), Joe Peretta (Tiffin University), Joey Samuele (Lake Erie College) and Justin Fritts (Wheeling Jesuit) to a pitching staff that brings back very solid arms from last year plus Ryan Sason who couldn't pitch last summer because of his injury. We've also added speedy outfielder, Bryan Blondeaux, who played in 26 games this spring for Notre Dame College. Last, but not least, Corey Hites is back on the roster after leaving the Air Force Academy and pitching at Pitt Bradford this spring.
It should be an exciting summer of very good baseball.