Manhattan Tabbed As Preseason Favorite

Edison, N.J. – Manhattan College has been chosen as the favorite to take the 2010 MAAC Baseball title, according to a preseason poll voted on by the league’s head coaches.

Manhattan finished with 79 points in the poll, while Marist College finished second (71).  Canisius College placed third with 65 points.  Rider University placed fourth (43), followed by Siena College (42), Fairfield University (40), Niagara University (29), Saint Peter’s College (20), and Iona College (16).

The Jaspers’ senior outfielder Kevin Nieto was named the 2010 MAAC Baseball Preseason Player of the Year.  Last season, he led all of Division I with 1.57 runs per game.  Nieto hit a team-best .396 as he helped guide the Jaspers to their second consecutive MAAC regular-season title.  He also led the MAAC in runs scored (72) and slugging percentage (.754).

The infield for the 2010 preseason team includes: Marist’s Bryce Nugent as catcher, Manhattan’s Austin Sheffield at first base, Siena’s Dan Paolini at second base, Saint Peter’s Conor Mullee at shortstop and Siena’s Anthony Giansanti at third base.  Joining Nieto in the outfield are fellow teammate Mike McCann and Canisius’ Ian Choy.  Manhattan’s Anthony Armenio is the designated hitter, and Canisius’ Shayne Willson is the utility player.  Fairfield’s Rob Gariano rounds out the Preseason All-MAAC Team as the pitcher.