EDISON, NJ (February 15, 2022) – Monmouth University was picked as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) preseason favorite and Fairfield University’s Mike Caruso was named the Preseason Player of the Year, as voted on by the league’s head coaches.
Monmouth University received 114 total points and seven first-place votes after finishing second in the MAAC regular season last year. The Hawks posted the fourth-best ERA in the NCAA last season with a 3.21. The Hawks’ staff is led by 2021 MAAC pitcher of the Year Rob Hensey, First Team All-MAAC pitcher Dan Klepchik and Preseason All-MAAC pitcher Trey Dombroski.
Fairfield University received a total of 112 points and four first-place votes after winning the MAAC-regular season last year and earning the first NCAA Tournament at-large bid in MAAC history. The Stags had their best season in program history last year after going 39-5 overall, 33-1 in conference, started the season 27-0, and reached the Austin Regional final after defeating Southern and Arizona State.
Fairfield's Mike Caruso was named the 2022 MAAC Preseason Player of the Year after winning MAAC Player of the Year just last season. The catcher led the conference with a .414 batting average and hit three home runs while driving in 28 RBI. The Wallingford, CT native also scored 31 runs, had an astronomical .532 OBP and a .989 fielding percentage behind the plate for the Stags.
Canisius College was picked third in the preseason poll with 91 total points. The Griffs return First Team All-MAAC first baseman Vinny Chiarenza who batted .330 and slugged nine home runs, the third most in the MAAC. Marist College was picked fourth in the poll with 89 total points. The Red Foxes return shortstop Dylan Hoy who batted .410 last season, the 10
th best batting average in the NCAA last year.
Rider University rounds out the top five with 76 points. The Broncs won the MAAC Championship tournament last season and went 23-18 overall. The Broncs return their leading hitter Jake Barbiere who batted .314 last season.
Manhattan College and Niagara University each received 55 total points, Quinnipiac University was picked eighth with 52 points, Siena College gathered 39 points, Iona College received 30 points, and Saint Peter’s rounded out the poll with 13 points.
| 2022 Preseason Coaches’ Poll |
| 1 |
Monmouth (7) |
114 |
| 2 |
Fairfield (4) |
112 |
| 3 |
Canisius |
91 |
| 4 |
Marist |
89 |
| 5 |
Rider |
76 |
| t-6 |
Manhattan |
55 |
| t-6 |
Niagara |
55 |
| 8 |
Quinnipiac |
52 |
| 9 |
Siena |
39 |
| 10 |
Iona |
30 |
| 11 |
Saint Peter’s |
13 |
| Preseason Player of the Year |
| Mike Caruso - Fairfield |
| Preseason All-MAAC Team |
| Name |
School |
Position |
Year |
| Mike Caruso |
Fairfield |
Catcher |
Graduate |
| Vinny Chiarenza |
Canisius |
First Base |
Graduate |
| Dixon Black |
Monmouth |
Second Base |
Sophomore |
| David Bermudez |
Manhattan |
Third Base |
Graduate |
| Dylan Hoy |
Marist |
Shortstop |
Junior |
| Carlin Dick |
Canisius |
Outfield |
Sophomore |
| Mike Handal |
Fairfield |
Outfield |
Senior |
| Brian Hart |
Marist |
Outfield |
Senior |
| Ryan McGee |
Siena |
Outfield |
Senior |
| Matt Padre |
Manhattan |
Designated Hitter |
Graduate |
| Max Grant |
Canisius |
Utility |
Sophomore |
| Trey Dombroski |
Monmouth |
Pitcher |
Junior |
The 2022 MAAC Baseball Championships will be held at Clover Stadium in Pomona, NY between May 25-28. All information regarding the MAAC Baseball Championships can be found at
maacsports.com.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 41st year of competition during the 2021-22 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.
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