Entering his fourth season on the varsity team at Berlin, Austin Barnes has excelled both at the plate and on the mound, where he is expected to focus at Hartford. As a junior last season, Barnes had a 3.50 ERA over 14 innings of work, hitting .359 with a .463 on-base percentage and 19 runs scored. With his American Legion team, Barnes went 5-3 with a 2.31 ERA in 54.1 innings. He struck out 37, while hitting .300 with 11 runs scored and 11 RBIs at the plate. A member of the 2009 Berlin American Legion team that went to the American Legion World Series in Fargo, N.D., Barnes also excels in the classroom, where he is an All-Academic student. Born on December 20, 1992, Barnes is the son of Elvita and Jim Barnes and the brother of Erica Barnes, who plays golf at Hofstra University. His intended major at Hartford remains undecided.
Coach Calcaterra on Barnes: “Austin is a crafty left-hander who comes to us from Berlin High School, one of the better high school programs in Connecticut, where he is coached by Leo Veleas. He possesses great movement on all his pitches, which will make him hard to square up. What Austin lacks in size and velocity he makes up for in competitiveness and moxie. We see him as a solid bullpen option for us next year and look forward to the contributions he will make to our staff.”
Hear from Barnes: “I feel that the University of Hartford will provide an enriching academic atmosphere and I like the direction in which the baseball team is moving. I am looking forward to playing baseball and my goal is to win a conference championship. I hope to bring a strong work ethic and a winning attitude to the University of Hartford.”
ANDREW CALABRESE
6'2” Outfielder (Bats: Left, Throws: Right)
Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater Raritan High School
Andrew Calabrese will play his fourth year of baseball at Bridgewater Raritan this spring, his third on the varsity team. Since joining the varsity program, Calabrese's hitting has improved steadily. He batted .275 with four homers and 11 RBIs as a sophomore, improving to .280 with a home run and 22 RBIs last season. With his summer league team, Calabrese batted .375 with 11 home runs and 45 RBIs in 2009, bumping those numbers to .400 with two homers and 47 RBIs last summer. Last season, Bridgewater Raritan won the New Jersey Group 4 Section North II Sectional title for the first time since 1987. An honor roll student throughout high school, Calabrese was born May 7,1993 to Deborah and Christopher Calabrese. He intends to enroll in the Barney School of Business.
Coach Calcaterra on Calabrese: “Andrew comes to us from Bridgewater Raritan and Coach Max Newill. He is a very good athlete and brings versatility to the club as a primary outfielder and a secondary first baseman. Andrew has shown the ability to hit for power as a left-handed stick and will be a middle-of-the-order type of hitter for us. We are excited to add Andrew to our program and await the many contributions he will make in his career here at Hartford.”
Hear from Calabrese: “I chose the University of Hartford because I felt that it was the perfect fit for me to continue my career both academically and athletically. When I visited the campus and met the team and coaching staff, I knew that Hartford was going to be my college choice. I hope I can benefit the team in any way possible, whether it be through hitting, fielding or on the base paths. As a freshman coming in, my goal is to contribute as much as possible, whenever possible, in order to help us win games.”
PAT KNAUTH
6'1” Outfielder (Bats: Right, Throws: Right)
Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park High School/Niagara County Community College
Pat Knauth will come to Hartford after two years at nationally-ranked Niagara Community College, where he has served as a team captain. As a freshman last season, Knauth batted .349 with a .420 on-base percentage. He was recognized as an all-conference performer last fall. In high school at Orchard Park, Knauth posted three-straight years with on-base percentages of .480 or higher, topping out at .529 as a senior. He holds his school record for most doubles in a season, and was a First Team All-ECIC performer as a senior. Knauth was born on March 4, 1991 to Kathy and Brian Knauth. He plans to enroll in the Barney School of Business.
Coach Calcaterra on Knauth: “Pat joins our program after playing for Matt Clingersmith at Niagara County Community College. He will bring a wealth of experience and a championship type of play from competing in a Division III Junior College World Series program. He is a very good athlete who can play all three outfield positions and will compete for a starting job right away. Pat's biggest attribute is his passion and competitive fire that he will bring to our team. We look forward to Pat's arrival next fall.”
Hear from Knauth: “I chose Hartford because of its nationally-ranked business school, very rigorous academics and the baseball program being exactly what I want. The baseball program is very competitive and up-and-coming, with the goal of an America East championship. Hartford is going to help me reach my full potential both in the classroom and on the field.”
ROBERT MEERMAN
5'10” Middle Infielder (Bats: Right, Throws: Right)
Danbury, Conn./Danbury High School
An exception athlete who is playing his fourth year of baseball, Robert Meerman is a speedy middle infielder who also ran three years of track and played a season of football. As a junior, Meerman batted .345, sporting a .432 on-base percentage and a .471 slugging percentage. He stole eight bases and scored 22 runs, earning an all-state honorable mention. As a sophomore, he hit .310, also pitching 12 scoreless innings on the mound. Meerman is a member of the National Honor Society and is heavily involved in student government at Danbury High. Born on October 1, 1993, Meerman is the son of Katherine and Robert Meerman. Katherine is a former collegiate athlete herself, playing softball. Meerman plans to enroll in the Barney School of Business.
Coach Calcaterra on Meerman: “Robbie is a scrappy, energetic and tough player who comes to us from Danbury High School and Coach Shaun Ratchford. Robbie will join Anthony Mannuccia on the Hawks roster as a former Danbury standout. He will provide depth and athleticism in the middle infield for us next year. Robbie should project to be a top or bottom of the order guy who can run and score runs for our offense. We look forward to his arrival to Hartford and the contributions Robbie will make to the team and the University.”
Hear from Meerman: “The reason I chose Hartford is not only because of the great competition in DI baseball, but also because the school offers a great education. I plan to major in accounting and the Barney School of Business is a great place to do that. My expectations for the incoming class are that we will help bring the program to the next level. I believe we can make this team a powerhouse and a feared program.”
SEAN NEWCOMB
6'5” Left-Handed Pitcher (Bats: Left)
Middleboro, Mass./Middleboro High School
Sean Newcomb has done it all at Middleboro High School, playing four years of football in addition to his four years of baseball and a season of basketball. As a junior, Newcomb was a league all-star with a 1.11 ERA and a .371 batting average. He was also recognized as a Brockton Enterprise All-Scholastic performer that season. A participant in the Middleboro student government, Newcomb was born June 12, 1993 to Katherine Fruzzetti and William Newcomb. Newcomb has yet to select a major at Hartford.
Coach Calcaterra on Newcomb: “Sean is a front-line left-handed arm that joins our program from Middleboro High School and Coach Bill Lawrence. Sean should enter our program and compete at the top of our staff with the stuff he possesses right now. With his 6'5” frame and live arm, we feel Sean will develop into a dominant pitcher in our program. Seeing Sean throw this summer for the Mass Pride, his competitiveness and composure will be an attribute he'll bring to the staff. We anticipate the many contributions he will make next season and beyond.”
Hear from Newcomb: “I chose the University of Hartford because it seemed like a perfect fit for me in every aspect. I am very excited to be going to Hartford and helping out what I feel is a good program that is going to be getting much better in the upcoming years.”
COLIN O'GARA
5'10” Left Fielder/Third Baseman (Bats: Left, Throws: Right)
East Northport, N.Y./Northport High School
A four-year varsity letterwinner in baseball, Colin O'Gara has shown himself to be a team leader both in the field and at the plate. His first two years at Northport, O'Gara led the team in batting average, earning all-league recognition as a freshman. Last season, O'Gara paced the team with four home runs. He also impressed with his arm, recording seven outfield assists as a freshman. Last summer with the Long Island Titans, O'Gara batted .500 (35-for-70), knocking in 19 runs while drawing 21 walks. He also played four years of football at Northport. Born March 29, 1993 to Heidi and Kevin O'Gara, Colin O'Gara plans to enroll in the Barney School of Business.
Coach Calcaterra on O'Gara: “Colin will join our program from Northport High School and Coach John DeMartini. Colin brings a solid set of skills that brings versatility as an infielder or outfielder. He is a very good athlete with a good arm and should develop into a solid left-handed hitter in his career. Colin will be looked upon to add depth to our team next year and we look forward to the growth in his career.”
Hear from O'Gara: “I chose the University of Hartford for many reasons. I can tell that the coaching staff is unbelievable and I haven't even played for them yet. It is a family-like atmosphere, which was evident when I first met everyone. I also already know some of the players there and I can tell the whole team is dedicated to being successful. I look forward to being part of it and contributing to the best of my ability. I can't wait to play at Hartford and to be a part of the Hawk family.”
BRADY SHEETZ
6'0" Infielder (Bats: Right, Throws: Right)
Eighty Four, Pa./Peters Township High School
A two-time Pittsburgh Post-Gazette All-Section selection, Brady Sheetz is entering his fourth year of baseball at Peters Township High School. As a sophomore, he helped the team to a section title, following that up with a WPIAL semifinal appearance last season. As a junior, he was a team captain and led the squad in home runs, runs scored, doubles and extra base hits. He also played for NorCal East during the summer and the Baltimore Oriolanders during the fall. Sheetz was born August 29, 1992 to Barb and Randy Sheetz. An honor roll student at Peters Township, Sheetz plans to enroll in the Barney School of Business.
Coach Calcaterra on Sheetz: “Brady is a big addition to our program in this recruiting class. He comes to us from Peters Township High School and Coach Joe Maize. Brady is a very talented athlete who possesses arm strength, solid hands and the ability to really hit. His offensive ability and athleticism will allow him to play multiple spots in the infield and outfield, which will make it hard to keep him out of the lineup. He brings a hard nose approach and leadership to the game and comes from a winning summer program, NorCal East. We expect great things from Brady in his career and feel he will make an immediate impact next year.”
Hear from Sheetz: “I chose the University of Hartford because it has a great business school and it gives me an opportunity to play against the top DI teams in the nation. I was impressed with how dedicated the coaches are to the players and to the program. I can't wait to get on campus next fall and start working for a championship. I am going to do whatever it takes to put more wins on the board. My two goals while I am at Hartford are to get a great education and to win a couple championships.”
DANNY SPERRUZZI
6'2" Right-Handed Pitcher (Bats: Right)
Wading River, N.Y./Shoreham-Wading River High School
Danny Sperruzzi will join the Hawks after a four-year varsity career at Shoreham-Wading River High School in New York. Sperruzzi, who also played three years of varsity volleyball, made his mark on the baseball team with all-state, all-county and all-league selections last season. He went 7-1 with a 1.43 ERA on the mound, striking out 59 batters. Sperruzzi was born March 14, 1993 to Linda and Rick Sperruzzi. He has not yet determined a major for when he arrives at Hartford.
Coach Calcaterra on Sperruzzi: “Danny should enter our program as a front-line right-handed arm and compete at the top of our staff next fall. He comes to us from Shoreham-Wading River High School and Coach Sal Mignano. Danny has a live arm with good off-speed pitches and we feel he will develop into a dominant pitcher in our program. Danny has only started to tap into his potential as a pitcher. We eagerly await his arrival next fall and the contributions he will make in his career.”
Hear from Sperruzzi: “I chose Hartford because I felt it was the right place for me, and I really liked the campus and the coaching staff.”
TREY STOVER
5'9" Shortstop/Right-Handed Pitcher (Bats: Right)
Beech Creek, Pa./Central Mountain High School
Entering his fourth season on the varsity team at Central Mountain High, Trey Stover has proven to be an exceptional all-around player. Last season, Stover batted .391 with 17 RBIs and 14 runs scored in 21 games. He also led the team in wins (5), strikeouts (53), innings pitched (38.2), and led all infielders with a .932 fielding percentage. Stover was named a Mt. League First Team All-Star. As a freshman, Stover helped his team to the District 6 championship and a semifinal appearance in the Quad A state playoffs. His team has won three league titles, and finished runners up in District 6 the last two seasons. Stover was an Under Armour National Team selection, with the team competing in Omaha. Born June 10, 1993 to Sherrie and Andrew Stover, Trey has yet to decide on a major.
Coach Calcaterra on Stover: “Trey comes to us from Central Mountain High School and Coach Mike Kramer. Trey is a very talented athlete who possesses quickness and arm strength. His offensive ability and overall athleticism will serve him well in the middle infield. He brings a quiet intensity and leadership traits that will fit well in our program. Trey will join teammate and signee Brady Sheetz from the NorCal East summer program and Coach Mark Helsel. We expect great things from Trey in his career and feel he will make an immediate impact next year.”
Hear from Stover: “I chose the University of Hartford because I felt that their program is going in the right direction to become winners. I also felt that I had some great chemistry with the coaching staff, and I can't wait to get to work and win with them.”
