Requiring excellence, both on and off the field, SUNY Old Westbury Men’s Baseball Head Coach Rod Stephan is looking forward to another successful season. The team started practice on February 1, with the continued commitment to do well both in the classroom as well as on the field. The team members have maintained above a 3.0 average the last five semesters, “with a large majority of the team making the honor roll,” Coach Stephan said proudly.
Heading into the season Coach Stephan is optimistic for another successful season despite COVID obstacles. A few of the baseball teams players did not return to SOW because they were unwilling to get vaccinated, but the coach was able to find replacements to bring the roster up to a full 32 players. He said they all have promise, and he’s confident that they will be able to maintain their high standings within the college baseball community. The team is a member of the Skyline Conference competing in the NCAA’s Division III.
When asked about his standout players in this year’s lineup he said he has a number of great players, both new and returning, who he is confident will bring them to the playoffs again this year. Patrick Quinn is a liberal arts senior, “a pitcher who is going to have a great year,” Coach Stephen said. Joe Sarni, a team closer, is a senior in American Studies. John Dell’Olio is a senior centerfielder and a visual arts major, “who stands to have a big year.” Jamal Ritter, who is a visual arts major, who plays left field, “and has outstanding speed,” said Coach Stephen.
Coach Stephen, who has been coaching at SOW for 16 years, 12 of which has been as Head Coach, said COVID affected the team but they still made it to the finals last year, despite the effects and obstacles they faced. The team was forced to use a borrowed field at Farmingdale State College, as the Athletic Center at SOW is being used as a state-run COVID mass vaccination site. At this time the baseball field is also under renovations keeping the students away. To not have a field of their own to practice and play, “affected us a lot,” said Coach Stephen, “but it also showed the resilience of our team, that we still made it to the finals last year was a great achievement.”
Coach Stephen said the field is not expected to be completed for this season, so they will have to continue on the borrowed field. “But we will push on,” he said, adding, “As I tell my team, ‘Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and it will be that much sweeter when we win.'”
