LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Baseball Head Coach Tony Rossi has announced the addition of eight late signings. Graduate transfers Joe Giovinco, Brooks Knapek, Carter Knapek, and Rob Nadel, and freshmen Chris Erickson, Randall Hien, Bryce Porter, and Willie Schwarick have all enrolled at Siena College and will make their diamond debuts for the Saints next spring.
 
Siena's eight late signings cap an incoming class of 13 newcomers, highlighted by nine true freshmen and four graduate transfers. The Saints previously announced the additions of freshmen Connor Bovair, Matt Kahn, Joey Lauer, Nick Partsch, and Kobe Stenson last fall.
 
Giovinco was a career .325 hitter over 106 starts with 63 RBI and 10 stolen bases spanning his undergraduate career at Division III Gettysburg College. The 5-11, 190-pound middle infielder was named an All-Centennial Conference Honorable Mention selection after leading the Bullets with a .349 average during his sophomore season in 2018. The Stirling, New Jersey native was both an All-County and All-Conference honoree after leading Seton Hall Prep to the state championship his senior year.
 
"Joe was one of the top hitters at Gettysburg College," said Rossi. "We hope that he will supply left side power to this year's squad while competing for playing time at second base."
 
A local product from nearby Slingerlands, New York, Brooks Knapek matriculates home to Siena after previously playing for both Virginia Commonwealth University and Massachusetts of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The 6-2, 200-pound lefthanded pitcher made his VCU debut this spring after red-shirting the previous season, and retired the side in order vs. Georgetown in his lone appearance before the season was cut short. Knapek appeared in 17 games and made 16 starts over two seasons at UMass, striking out 70 over 78.1 innings. He posted a stellar 3.86 ERA during his freshman season in 2017, highlighted by a six-inning, 10-strikeout performance in his collegiate debut against Elon. Knapek both pitched and played first base for the Albany Academies, where he was a three-time All-New York State and First Team All-Section selection (2014-16). He set his school's career records for lowest ERA (0.63), most wins, and most strikeouts, and during his senior season in 2016 hit .397 while going 8-1 on the mound with a 0.66 ERA and 57 strikeouts.
 
"A transfer lefthanded pitcher from VCU along with his twin brother, the staff hopes that Brooks will add much needed experience to the starting rotation of the team," noted Rossi.
 
Brooks' twin brother and fellow hurler Carter Knapek also joins the Saints after stints at both VCU and UMass. The 6-2, 200-pound righthanded pitcher saw action in five games out of the bullpen during the shortened 2020 season for the Rams, and struck out eight over 8.0 innings. In two seasons at UMass, Knapek appeared in 24 games and earned two saves, while striking out 41 in 42.1 innings pitched. Along with his brother, he led the Albany Academies to a Section II title in 2015, and a pair of conference regular season crowns in 2015 and 2016. Knapek was named a two-time All-Colonial Conference selection, while amassing a 0.90 ERA and 152 strikeouts spanning his scholastic career.
 
"A transfer pitcher from VCU, Carter should supply experience to this year's squad," remarked Rossi. "He can work from the bullpen or as a starter."  
 
Nadel also arrives in Loudonville via an Atlantic 10 school after spending the previous two years at La Salle University. The 5-11, 185-pound righthanded pitcher appeared in two games in relief during the shortened 2020 season for the Explorers, striking out three in 2.0 innings pitched. A native of Winchester, Massachusetts, Nadel was named to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll in 2019. He began his collegiate career at Division II Maryville University, before matriculating to Bentley College. Nadel attended Lawrence Academy for high school, where he was tabbed a Northeast Region Honorable Mention selection by Perfect Game, while also being selected to the Perfect Game Mid-Atlantic Showcase Top Prospect Team.
 
"Rob is a grad transfer from La Salle University," explained Rossi. "With an outstanding slider, he is expected to add depth to the bullpen."
 
A local product from nearby Niskayuna, New York, Erickson was tabbed a 2019 Suburban Council Honorable Mention selection while starring at first base for the Silver Warriors. The 6-3, 175-pound prospect was the recipient of the Niskayuna Varsity Gold Glove, and played his summer ball for the Hayners Barnstormers.
 
"Chris is a versatile player who will swing between the outfield and first base," said Rossi. "He adds speed to the program."
 
Hien joins the Saints after hitting .333 with a .533 on-base percentage to go along with 55 strikeouts and a 1.75 ERA over 47.1 innings pitched during his junior season at Lincoln High in Lincoln, Rhode Island. The 5-8, 165-pound infielder was a 2019 All-Division honoree, and was selected to the All-Star Team. A three-sport standout, Hien was also a four-time All-Division selection and two-time team captain as the starting quarterback for the football team, and led the boys' basketball team to a Division III title this past season. Hien played his summer baseball for L&M Baseball, coached by former Siena assistant Idris Liasu.
 
"Randall will add versatility to this year's squad," noted Rossi. "He will compete for time in the infield and outfield."
 
A native of Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, Porter arrives in Loudonville from The Perkiomen School. The 6-2, 195-pound infielder played his club baseball for Tri-State Arsenal.
 
"Bryce is a solid defender who will compete for playing time at third and first base," remarked Rossi.
 
Schwarick is a 5-10, 210-pound catcher who was a three-year starter for the prestigious Delbarton program in Flanders, New Jersey. He threw out 37% of would-be base stealers while playing errorless baseball behind the plate his junior season. Schwarick played summer baseball with the New Jersey Rising Rebels.
 
"Willie comes from a very strong Delbarton High School program in New Jersey," explained Rossi. "He has experience catching first round draft picks, and is expected to add solid depth to the catching department."