LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Baseball will look to prove the conference's coaches wrong in the first year of the
Alex Jurczynski Era. The Saints have been predicted to finish 10
th according to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, reflecting their finish from last spring.
Three-time defending MAAC Regular Season Champion Fairfield is the preseason favorite after receiving 107 points and five of 11-first place votes in a tight top-half of the polling. The top-four teams in the preseason poll are separated by just 17 points, while each of the top-five received at least one first-place vote in what appears to be a wide-open league this spring.
Quinnipiac was projected to finish second with 96 points (two first-place votes), followed closely by Canisius with 91 points (two first-place votes), and reigning MAAC Tournament Champion Rider with 90 points (one first-place vote). The next three programs were separated by just one point apiece with Manhattan picked fifth (73 points, one first-place vote), Niagara sixth (72 points), and Mount St. Mary's (71) seventh.
Marist was predicted to finish eighth (46 points), followed by Iona (33), Siena (28), and Saint Peter's (19) to round out the polling. The Red Foxes' Bayram Hot – the reigning MAAC Rookie of the Year – was tabbed the MAAC Preseason Player of the Year to highlight the 14-member Preseason All-MAAC Team.
Siena has high hopes in the first year of the Jurczynski Era after posting a 14-41 overall mark including a 7-17 MAAC record while finishing 10
th in league action last season. The Saints return five players who registered more than 100 at-bats last spring, highlighted by MAAC All-Rookie Team selection
Danny Barbero. On the mound, Siena welcomes back seven of 10 pitchers who recorded double-digit appearances. The Saints also add 20 newcomers highlighted by 14 freshmen and six transfers to their 44-man Opening Day roster.
Siena officially kicks off its
54-game spring slate to commence the Jurczynski Era this weekend in Virginia. The Saints begin a three-game opening weekend series against Big South opponent Longwood with doubleheader action Saturday at noon in Farmville, Virginia.
| 2024 Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| 1 |
Fairfield |
107 (5) |
| 2 |
Quinnipiac |
96 (2) |
| 3 |
Canisius |
91 (2) |
| 4 |
Rider |
90 (1) |
| 5 |
Manhattan |
73 (1) |
| 6 |
Niagara |
72 |
| 7 |
Mount St. Mary's |
71 |
| 8 |
Marist |
46 |
| 9 |
Iona |
33 |
| 10 |
Siena |
28 |
| 11 |
Saint Peter's |
19 |
Preseason Player of the Year |
| Bayram Hot – Marist |
Preseason All-MAAC Team |
| Player |
Position |
Year |
Institution |
| Keegan O'Connor |
Catcher |
Sr. |
Quinnipiac |
| Matt Bergevin |
First Base |
Sr. |
Fairfield |
| JT Landwehr |
Second Base |
So. |
Mount St. Mary's |
| Bayram Hot |
Short Stop |
So. |
Marist |
| Sebastian Mueller |
Third Base |
Sr. |
Quinnipiac |
| Matt Bucciero |
Outfield |
So. |
Fairfield |
| Jackson Strong |
Outfield |
Jr. |
Canisius |
| Nick Groves |
Outfield |
So. |
Niagara |
| Colin McVeigh |
Pitcher |
Sr. |
Fairfield |
| Zach Cameron |
Pitcher |
Gr. |
Niagara |
| Brian Young |
Pitcher |
Jr. |
Rider |
| Marcus Cashman |
Pitcher |
Gr. |
Niagara |
| Scott Seeker |
Designated Hitter |
Sr. |
Mount St. Mary's |
| Frank Marinelli |
Utility |
Sr. |
Manhattan |
