Hofstra
Fall Ball Series Powered by Revolution Athletics: Hofstra University
In 2022, Hofstra experienced a magical run in the Conference Tournament to capture their first CAA Championship in the program’s 86-year history. It was a remarkable Cinderella story, as the Pride not only entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed, but won all four games by one-run with 3 walk-offs. Additionally, they were in their first year under Head Coach Frank Catalanotto, and they were coming off a 17-win season. Since then, they have been unable to match that level of success in the ultra-competitive CAA. In 2023, the Pride missed the postseason but last season they qualified and won their first game against No. 3 Northeastern prior to losing their next two against No. 1 Charleston and No. 5 William & Mary. I spoke with Coach Catalanotto at last week’s Fall World Seri...
Where Are They Now Powered by the BK7 Brand: Bryan Verbitsky
Bryan Verbitsky has a claim for the best high school career on Long Island of this century. He was a two-time Diamond Award recipient – given annually to the top player in Nassau County. He led Island Trees to a County Championship in 2007 over Clarke. He ended his career with his name all over the record books at Island Trees – finishing first in home runs (30), hits (136), ABs (319), runs (129), second in SBs (45) and fourth in ERA (1.90). Simply put, he had one of the finest careers a high school player can have. Additionally, and this is something that often gets forgotten – he did so when the conference was talent-based, meaning he performed exceptionally against the best players in the county. “There were no gimme wins in the league,” said Verbitsky. Man...
Frank Catalanotto: Which Hitting Drills Work Best?
(Frank is a 14-year MLB veteran. He is a 1992 graduate of Smithtown East HS, where he was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 10th round of the MLB Draft. He compiled a .291 AVG in over 3,800 at bats. He is the Head Coach of Hofstra University and gives lessons for Steel Sports Academy at Baseball Heaven. This article originally was published in 2017.) by Frank Catalanotto The truth is that everyone is different, so when it comes to baseball and hitting drills, you need to find out which ones work for you and which ones don’t. The repetition of the drills is so important. Part of getting better is teaching muscle memory–especially for younger kids. Here are some that worked for me. One arm drills might be my favorite because each arm gets strengthened individually. I would get a small, l...
Hofstra Come From Behind, 6-5, To Defeat Albany in Home Opener
by Michelle Rabinovich Final: Hofstra 6, Albany 5 The Pride walk it off on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Steven Harrington. Kevin Bruggeman tied it up with an RBI single pic.twitter.com/KtuEPBUwS3 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) February 23, 2023 The Hofstra Pride baseball team walked off their home opener, 6-5, over the University of Albany Great Danes. The Pride had nine walk-off wins last season on their way to the first CAA Championship in program history, got their first won of 2023 in the process. The storyline of this game was both starting pitchers; Dylan Banner for Albany and Mark Faello of Hofstra are graduates of Plainview JFK HS. Additionally, both won the Diamond Award – which is given annually to the top player in Nassau County. Banner had the honor of being ...
Friday College Recap (2/17) Powered by Orlin & Cohen
by Andy Smith It’s the start of a new season ! And with the mild winter, it seems like it flew right by onto baseball season. The Division-Is opened up last night and Molloy will open up today. Without further ado, here’s how it went down… Division-I: St. John’s was the lone local team to get a W as they came out of the gate hot with an impressive 7-6 win in extra innings at Old Dominion. Paul Orbon‘s game-winning RBI single was the difference, as the Johnnies were able to erase a 4-run deficit. David Glancy picked up right where he left off last year, crushing a HR. Chuck Sanzio pitched two innings and earned the winning relief. Sony Fauci started and went four innings, allowing 4 runs (2 ER) and did not factor in the decision. He walked five and struck out 2...
What Are The Biggest Storylines In 2023?
While nobody enjoys time away from the diamond, it is necessary in order for players to rest their arms and prepare for the next season. Now that the calendar has turned to January, all eyes are on the 2023 season. From a personal standpoint, I will be watching from a distance for at least some of the season as my daughter was born last week and I would like to spend some time at home. Our reporter, Nick Cipolla, will be stepping up in the interim to be our go-to guy in terms of game coverage. I will be back, though, this is my passion after all. Here’s some of the top storylines heading into the season. What can Frank Catalanotto do for an encore? The 2022 Axcess Baseball College Coach of the Year took over the Hofstra program in July 2021 and in short order turned them into a champ...
Fall Ball Series Powered by Baseball Lifestyle: Hofstra University
Steve Harrington with a walk-off HR in a 7-6 victory for Hofstra ! pic.twitter.com/r7tJHFgMqA — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) April 2, 2022 There are not many better feelings in the world than proving people wrong. Hofstra was picked to finish ninth in the preseason CAA coaches poll. On May 29 in the CAA Championship, they defeated Northeastern, 7-6, in walk-off fashion on a hit by pitch by Ryan Morash to score Brian Morrell. It was a truly stunning finish considering they had never won a conference championship in the program’s history and they won all four games by one-run including three walk-off wins. Despite losing both games in the regionals, the program is still riding high off the momentum from that CAA Championship. Perhaps no school in the country can boast that they...
Q & A With Brian Morrell
Morrell with a big double for @hofstrabaseball in the 9th WATCH NOW 📺 @FloBaseball 💻 https://t.co/AKWsfFFrHv 📈 https://t.co/zrrBJzfPgg pic.twitter.com/wHoDoVQ5WY — Colonial Athletic Association (@CAASports) May 29, 2022 2022 was an amazing and historic season for Hofstra. Can you go into some detail about what changes Frank and his staff implemented, how they were able to turn around the program so quickly and also what it felt like to go on that outstanding playoff run? Once I heard Cat got the coaching position at Hofstra, I knew in my head that it was a no brainer that Hofstra was where I was going. One of my best friends growing up was Zach White who was a pitcher who played at New York Tech for Cat and his staff. I immediately called him on the phone and asked him tons of questions. D...
Hofstra Clinches NCAA Tournament Berth for First Time in Program History
THAT’S THE GAME!!! HOFSTRA WINS!!!! CAA CHAMPS!!!#RoarWithPride #CAAChamps pic.twitter.com/NpWKgpKYd8 — Hofstra Baseball (@HofstraBaseball) May 29, 2022 Hofstra has been playing baseball since 1938. It took Frank Catalanotto one year to do what has never been done in program history and that’s qualify for the NCAA Tournament. The Pride did so in astonishing fashion – winning all four of their CAA Championship games by one run – including three wins via walk-off. Entering the CAA tournament as the No. 2 seed, the Pride defeated Elon, UNC-Wilmington, and Northeastern twice to pull off the improbable. All three teams are regarded as top-tier opponents, and Hofstra was able run the table in the tournament amidst a hostile home crowd. The clinching game was thrilling. Th...
David Glancy Homers Three Times in St. John’s 9-7 Victory
Final: St. John’s 9, Hofstra 7 WP: Oliver McCarthy S: Chuck Sanzio David Glancy: 3-for-3 , 3 HRs, 2 BBs, 4 RBIs pic.twitter.com/HX9zvr4aGw — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) March 22, 2022 David Glancy came to the plate five times for St. John’s. Twice they put him on first base, and the other three times he reminded them why they should’ve done so. The Johnnies LF crushed home runs in all three of his official at bats in St. John’s 9-7 victory over Hofstra on Tuesday afternoon. He doubled his season’s total on the day. It was a wild game that features plenty of back-and-forth scoring. Hofstra showed they are a team to be taken seriously, as they overcame an early 3-0 deficit but also watched a 7-5 lead evaporate, before nearly coming back in the 9th innin...
Fall Ball Series Powered by East Coast S & P: Hofstra University
(This is the first installment of the Fall Ball Series powered by East Coast Strength and Performance. We will visit the local colleges and provide some video content, interviews with coaches and players. Make sure to check out East Coast by clicking here.) RHP Matt Gonzalez transferred from Division-III Barton College in North Carolina. Here’s a strikeout on a 91-MPH fastball pic.twitter.com/R3DrUKJDu1 — Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) September 17, 2021 Hofstra ushered in a new era in July when they hired 14-year MLB veteran and Long Island-native Frank Catalanotto. The move would’ve been exciting regardless of the context but when you consider that the Smithtown native is just two years removed from executing an even more difficult task of reviving New York Tech’s...
Recap of Week 5 of the New York Baseball Academy
Week 5 of the New York Baseball Academy was another one to remember as the players were treated to some great special guests for the morning clinic – Jimmy Goelz and Chris Rojas (Hofstra University coaching staff) and Lou Bernardi (Pitching Coach of USMMA). Additionally, the recipient of the Axcess Player of the Week was Andrew Edwards for his outstanding performance throughout the week. Here he is pictured with NYBA Director Mike McCabe (left) and Bob O’Brien (right). Last but not least are the recipients of the Super Hustler Award – they are the players that best exemplify the values of the New York Baseball Academy by how they conduct themselves on-and-off the field. Note: This week is the sixth and final week of the NYBA for 2021 Group 2 Max Cheatham Charles Cheatham ...
