Former Louisville/Vanderbilt Players Join Hawks’ Staff

New Monmouth Recruiting Coordinator Karl Nonemaker

Nonemaker was a four-year starter at Vanderbilt University, and a 2002 Major League Baseball Draft choice of the Philadelphia Phillies. Nonemaker, who will serve as recruiting coordinator, will focus on the Hawks’ position players, hitting, defense and base-running.

Nonemaker, who left Vanderbilt as the program’s all-time leader in hits (283) and batting average (.369), was named a Freshman All-American in 1999, and was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference outfielder in 2000.

A 20th round draft choice of Philadelphia in 2002, Nonemaker went on to be a member of the Phillies Gulf Coast Championship team in ’02, and in 2003, split the year between the Lakewood BlueClaws (Single-A) and the Reading Phillies (Double-A).

Following his playing days, Nonemaker began his coaching career at Auburn University in 2005. The former Commodore coached for three seasons at AU, helping guide the Tigers to a Regional Final in 2005.

Prior to joining Monmouth, Nonemaker coached at the Delbarton School in Morristown, New Jersey, helping guide the teams to top-five state finishes in both seasons. In 2008, the team finished fifth in New Jersey, and claimed No. 2 overall in the state in 2009.

“Karl brings a wealth of experience to the program and our players will really benefit from his teaching style and approach to the game,” added Ehehalt. “He will be a great asset both on the field and on the recruiting path.”

Belanger, who pitched for Louisville’s 2007 College World Series squad, as well as the 2008 BIG EAST Tournament championship team, served as a volunteer assistant coach at Louisville in 2009.

Belanger, who helped lead Louisville to the BIG EAST regular-season and tournament titles last season as a coach,

New MU Pitching Coach Jim Belanger

helped guide a staff that won an NCAA Regional, advanced to a second NCAA Super Regional in three years and finished ranked as high as No. 14 in the nation.

Belanger spent two seasons as a pitcher for the Cardinals, and as a senior in 2008, posted a 4-1 record in seven starts and 14 appearances, working 39.1 innings. As a junior in 2007, Belanger made 10 starts for the Cardinals, tying for third on the team and made 19 overall appearances.

Prior to his tenure at UL, Belanger spent two seasons at Cecil Community College, in Maryland, where he compiled a 17-4 record with a 2.90 ERA and 108 K’s. The team advanced to the Regional Semifinal, ranked as high as #3 in the national rankings. In addition, he was a member of the 2005 NABF National Champion Bayside Yankees.

Born in Queens, New York, Belanger batted .391 his senior season with two home runs, while posting a 6-1 record on the hill for the Bulldogs, earning all-county honors.

“Jimmy is definitely a rising star in the coaching world,” stated Ehehalt. “He is extremely passionate and knowledgeable and will do a great job with a relatively inexperienced pitching staff.”

Ehehalt, who guided the Hawks to their fourth NEC Championship in 2009, added “I feel we have assembled a great staff with Karl and Jimmy joining longtime MU assistant Jeff Barbalinardo.”

(Release)