LOUDONVILLE, NY – Despite returning eight of nine starting position players from a team which finished tied for third a season ago, Siena Baseball will look to prove the doubters wrong this spring. The Saints have been projected to finish tied for sixth according the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, while standouts Aidan Paradine and Jake Sparks were named Preseason All-MAAC selections.
 
Perennial MAAC powers Fairfield (168 points) and Rider (146) were projected to finish first and second respectively according to the polling. The defending MAAC Tournament Champion Stags received 12 first-place votes, while last year's tournament runner-up and regular season champion Broncs secured the remaining first-place tally.
 
Quinnipiac was picked to finish third with 139 points, followed by Sacred Heart (117) and Mount St. Mary's (110) to round out the top-five. Siena was selected to finish tied for sixth with Marist with 103 points to close out the top half of the poll.
 
The bottom half of the polling featured Niagara (72) a distant eighth, followed by Manhattan (68), Iona (58), Canisius (46), Merrimack (39), and Saint Peter's (14).
 
The Saints enter Year Three of the Alex Jurczynski Era looking to take the next step following a program rebirth last spring. The Saints secured the program's most successful season in a decade, achieving the most overall wins (22) in nine years, while equaling the most league victories (17) in 11 years. Siena returns a veteran squad featuring eight of nine starting position players from a year ago, while welcoming 11 newcomers (six freshmen, five transfers) into the fold.
 
The Saints were one of three MAAC teams with multiple Preseason All-Conference selections with the recognition of both Paradine and Sparks. Matt Bucciero from Fairfield was named the MAAC Preseason Player of the Year.
 
Paradine is looking to build off of a monster first season donning the Green and Gold. The now red-shirt sophomore catcher earned both ABCA/Rawlings Second Team All-Region as well as Second Team All-MAAC honors a season ago. The Bayonne, New Jersey native ranked third in the MAAC in batting average (.370) and fourth in on-base percentage (.474). Paradine also led the Saints in hits (71), runs scored (48), and OPS (1.010) while appearing in 53 games (52 starts) behind the plate.
 
Sparks also earned Second Team All-MAAC acclaim during his first season manning the hot corner for the Saints. The local product from nearby Hoosick Falls, New York finished tied for sixth in the MAAC in home runs (14), and 10^th in both doubles (16) and total bases (128). The rising junior third baseman appeared in all 54 games (53 starts), and finished the season with a 24-game on-base streak while also achieving a team-best 19-game hitting streak late last spring.
 
The Saints begin their 2026 season when they take on UCF for a three-game opening weekend series beginning next Friday the 13^th at 6 p.m. in Orlando, Florida.
 

2026 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1	Fairfield	168 (12)
2	Rider	146 (1)
3	Quinnipiac	139
4	Sacred Heart	117
5	Mount St. Mary's	110
T6	Siena	103
T6	Marist	103
8	Niagara	72
9	Manhattan	68
10	Iona	58
11	Canisius	46
12	Merrimack	39
13	Saint Peter's	14

 

Preseason Player of the Year

Matthew Bucciero – Fairfield

 

Preseason All-MAAC Team
Player	Position	Year	Institution
Aidan Paradine	Catcher	R-So.	Siena
Christian Smith	First Base	Sr.	Quinnipiac
Ryan Lordier	Second Base	Sr.	Manhattan
Luke Nomura	Shortstop	Sr.	Fairfield
Jake Sparks	Third Base	Jr.	Siena
Matthew Bucciero*	Outfield	Sr.	Fairfield
Kyle Neri	Outfield	R-Jr.	Rider
Peter Link	Outfield	Jr.	Sacred Heart
Ben Alekson*	Pitcher	Jr.	Fairfield
Andrelys Payamps	Pitcher	Gr.	Iona
Will Taylor	Pitcher	R-Jr.	Marist
Serigne Sarre	Pitcher	So.	Mount St. Mary's
Jack Andrews	Designated Hitter	R-So.	Merrimack
Sean Stephenson	Utility	R-So.	Iona

  
Denotes unanimous selection*