The Colonial Athletic Association released its Preseason All-CAA team this week, and it included three Hofstra players – CF Anthony D’Onofrio (Wantagh 2018), 1B Robert Weissheier (Kellenberg 2016) and SS Austin Gauthier.
While Hofstra was off to a poor 4-10 record to begin the 2020 season, it was not due to their offense. They hit .302 as a team, which was 27th in the nation. If not for three one-run losses against New Mexico, the record would’ve looked a whole lot different.
The offense is reason for optimism yet again.
Gauthier was off to an amazing start with a .411 average, 6 doubles, one triple, three HRs, 11 RBI and 20 runs scored. More impressively, he led the league with a .515 OBP and .714 SLG. The senior has a legitimate chance to play professional baseball after the year.
Our audience is very familiar with D’Onofrio. He helped lead Wantagh to back-to-back-to-back Long Island Class A Championships between 2016-2018. He has since transitioned to CF, which allows his athleticism to shine in the spacious Hofstra outfield. He was also off to a great start to the season in 2020 when he was just behind Gauthier with a .407 AVG, .508 OBP but eclipsed him with 15 RBI.
Weissheier, the power bat in the Pride’s lineup, hit .361 with 5 extra-base hits and six RBI on the abbreviated season. His .611 SLG showed the power he is capable off.
The CAA will split into divisions for the first time since 2003, with each team playing a 24-game divisional schedule in order to reduce travel. Hofstra was picked to finish third in the North Division.
They will open up the 2021 season at La Salle on February 27.
