Wagner Baseball: A Division I Program on the Rise
Contents
- Wagner Baseball: A Division I Program on the Rise
- The History of Wagner Baseball
- The Future of Wagner Baseball
- The Wagner baseball coaching Staff
- The Wagner Baseball Players
- The Wagner Baseball Schedule
- The Wagner Baseball Facilities
- The Wagner Baseball Conference
- The Wagner Baseball Fans
- The Wagner Baseball Legacy
Get to know Wagner Baseball a Division I program on the rise! We’ll tell you all about our team, our recent success, and our goals for the future.
Wagner Baseball: A Division I Program on the Rise
Since joining Division I in 1993, the Wagner baseball program has seen a lot of success. The team has made nine trips to the NCAA tournament including four consecutive appearances from 2001 to 2004. In 2006, the Seahawks won the Northeast conference tournament and earned a spot in the NCAA regionals.
While the team has enjoyed a lot of success in recent years Head Coach Joe Litterio is looking to take the program to new heights. In his four years at the helm, Coach Litterio has led Wagner to two NCAA Tournament appearances and he believes that the Seahawks are capable of making a run at a national title.
With a solid core of young talent, Wagner looks poised to make some noise on the national stage in the coming years. If you’re a fan of Division I Baseball keep an eye on the Seahawks – they’re a team on the rise.
The History of Wagner Baseball
Wagner College has a long and storied history in baseball, dating back to the late 19th century. The Seahawks have seen many Great players come through the program, including Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner Today, Wagner Baseball is a Division I program on the rise, competing in the East Conference
In 1883, the first organized baseball game was played at Wagner College. The Seahawks took on a team from nearby Rutgers University and won by a score of 16-3. This marked the beginning of a long and successful tradition of Wagner Baseball.
Over the years, many great players have donned the Seahawks uniform. In 1939, Ralph Kiner enrolled at Wagner College. He would go on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Pittsburgh Pirates hitting 51 home runs in his rookie season. Other notable alumni include Major League Baseball player Bobby Bonilla and Major League Baseball scout Perry Minasian.
Today, Wagner Baseball competes at the Division I level in the East Conference The Seahawks are coached by John O’Reilly and play their home games at Richmond County Ball Park. In 2017, Wagner Baseball had its best season in recent history, finishing with a record of 33-19-1. The future is bright for Wagner Baseball as it looks to continue its ascent up the ranks of Division I Baseball programs.
The Future of Wagner Baseball
Wagner baseball is on the rise. After years of toiling in Division III the team has finally made the jump to Division I. And they are not looking back.
The future looks bright for Wagner baseball. With a new stadium on the way and a recruiting class that is getting better every year, the team is poised to make some noise in the Division I ranks.
So what does the future hold for Wagner baseball? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: The team is on the rise, and they are not going to stop until they reach the top.
The Wagner baseball coaching Staff
Wagner College Head baseball coach Walt Weiss has announced his Coaching Staff for the upcoming 2020 season. Joining Weiss will be pitching coach Rick Kranitz, who comes to Wagner after serving in the same capacity at Fresno State hitting coach Sal Giordano, who spent the previous four seasons as an assistant at Stony Brook and defensive coordinator Phil Cundari, who returns for his second season with the Seahawks.
“I’m excited to have Rick, Sal and Phil on board,” said Weiss. “They are all highly regarded in their respective areas and will be a big part of our success moving forward.”
Kranitz brings over 30 years of collegiate coaching experience to the Seahawks, having served as a pitching coach at such schools as Auburn, Florida State and Vanderbilt. He was named National Pitching Coach of the Year by Collegiate Baseball in 1999 while at Vanderbilt.
“Rick is one of the top pitching coaches in the country,” said Weiss. “He has a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable to our pitchers.”
Giordano comes to Wagner after four seasons as an Assistant Coach at Stony Brook where he helped lead the Seawolves to back-to-back America East conference championships and berths in the NCAA tournament in 2017 and 2018. Prior to his time at Stony Brook Giordano was an assistant coach at Mercy College
“Sal is a rising star in the coaching profession,” said Weiss. “He did a great job at Stony Brook and we’re fortunate to have him on our staff.”
Cundari returns for his second season with the Seahawks after serving as the team’s defensive coordinator in 2019. Cundari has also served as an assistant coach at Adelphi University LIU Postand Fordham University
“Phil did a great job with our defense last season and we’re looking for him to build on that success in 2020,” said Weiss.
The Wagner Baseball Players
Wagner baseball is a Division I program on the rise. The team is led by head coach Walt Mattsson, who has guided the team to a conference championship and an NCAA regional appearance in his first two seasons. The program is also fueled by a talented group of players, many of whom have gone on to have successful careers in professional baseball Here is a closer look at some of the team’s most notable players:
The Wagner Baseball Schedule
The Wagner college baseball team is on the rise, and their schedule this season is sure to be exciting. The Seahawks will take on some tough opponents, including conference rivals Stony Brook and Albany. They will also have a chance to prove themselves against some of the best teams in the country when they take on UCLA and USC in back-to-back games early in the season. Whether you’re a die-hard baseball fan or just looking for a fun way to spend a summer day, make sure to catch the Wagner Seahawks in action this season!
The Wagner Baseball Facilities
Wagner baseball is committed to providing our student-athletes with the best possible experience, both on and off the field. Our brand new state-of-the-art facility is one of the premier places to play Collegiate Baseball on the East Coast
The Wagner baseball facilities include:
– A 4,500 square foot weight room
– A 12,000 square foot indoor hitting and pitching facility
– Four outdoor batting cages
– An infield practice area
– A player’s lounge and study area
The Wagner Baseball Conference
The Wagner baseball conference is one of the most competitive and toughest conferences in Division I Baseball The teams that make up the conference are some of the best in the country and are always vying for a top spot in the Conference Standings The conference is made up of 10 teams, all of which are located in the northeastern United States
The conference is home to some of the best facilities in Division I baseball. Many of the stadiums are brand new and offer top-of-the-line amenities for both the players and fans. The conference also has a strong television presence, with all of the games being broadcast on either ESPN or CBS Sports Network.
The Wagner Baseball Conference is a Great Place to watch Division I baseball and is definitely a conference on the rise.
The Wagner Baseball Fans
Wagner College’s first full season of Division I play was a smashing success, as the Seahawks won 30 games, advanced to the NCAA tournament and earned a spot in the Cape Cod baseball league Now, with a new season underway, the Seahawks are looking to build on that success and bring even more excitement to the program.
But Wagner baseball isn’t just about the players on the field. It’s also about the fans in the stands.
Wagner College has always had a strong base of support from alumni and students, but in recent years the fan base has grown to include members of the community and Staten Island Baseball enthusiasts of all ages.
This season, fans can expect more of the same Exciting baseball as they cheer on the Seahawks in their quest for another successful season
The Wagner Baseball Legacy
Wagner College has a long and proud tradition of success on the baseball diamond dating back to the program’s inception in 1893. The Seahawks have won 12 National Championships and 31 conference titles, competing at the Division I level since 1985.
In recent years Wagner has seen a resurgence of success on the baseball diamond thanks in part to the hiring of Head Coach Mike Garciaparra in 2016. Coach Garciaparra has led the Seahawks to a pair of conference titles and three consecutive trips to the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament In 2019, Wagner reached the NCAA Division I Super Regional for the first time in program history, ultimately falling to eventual National Champion Vanderbilt.
With a young and talented roster in 2020, the Seahawks are poised for continued success under Coach Garciaparra’s leadership. Make sure to catch a Wagner baseball game at Richmond County Bank Ballpark this season!