Season Preview I - Pirate Infielders - Seton Hall University Athletics

The Seton Hall baseball team returns to action this week when it begins a three-game series in Port Charlotte, Fla. against Ohio State on Friday. As part of our three-day 2019 Season Preview, today we take a look at the Pirates' infield.

WHO'S BACK?
Casey Dana ** – 3B – Preseason All-BIG EAST
Thomas Holdorf – 1B
Jerry Huntzinger - C
Connor Hood – 1B/2B
Sebastiano Santorelli ** – 3B
Matt Toke ** – 1B
Chris Villa – C
**returning starter

WHO'S GONE?
Mike Alescio – C – Second Team All-BIG EAST
Al Molina – SS – Second Team All-BIG EAST
Rob Dadona – 2B
John Carroll – Util.
Ryan Lutz - SS

WHO'S NEW?
Alex Clyde - MI
Steve Grober - MI
David Haberman - C
Bobby Sheppard - MI

ANALYSIS
The Pirates will have a nice blend of new and old faces in their infield in 2019. Although overcoming the losses of starters Mike Alescio, Rob Dadona and Al Molina won't be easy, four lineup staples return to bolster the unit.

Matt Toke (Three Bridges, N.J.) is back for his third season as the everyday first baseman. The junior was slowed by a nagging injury in 2018, which interrupted a hot start. Once he got going again, Toke put up impressive numbers, batting .299 with three home runs and 20 RBIs. He was also perfect in the field, not committing a single error in 157 chances. Toke batted .316 with a home run and six RBIs during the 2018 BIG EAST Championship and was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Sophomore Thomas Holdorf (Freehold, N.J.) is expected to be Toke's primary backup at first base this year. Holdorf and Connor Hood (Shrewsbury, Pa.) filled in for Toke admirably last season. Holdorf batted .172 in 29 at bats, making six starts at first base.

Despite not being a regular starter to begin the year, Hood became a regular by mid-season, playing both first and second base. This year, he will likely take over for Rob Dadona at second base to begin the season. Hood saw action in 39 games last year, making 27 starts. He batted .257 with a home run, 20 RBIs and four stolen bases. Hood only got three at bats in the BIG EAST Championship, but made the most of them, collecting two hits, including an RBI double.

Casey Dana (Montgomery, N.Y.) is expected to be the primary starter at the hot corner again in 2019. The sophomore clubbed a team-best seven home runs last season, the most by a Seton Hall freshman in nearly 30 years. Dana appeared in 45 contests and batted .225 in 151 at bats. He had 27 RBIs and his .464 slugging percentage ranked third-best on the team.

With Al Molina's graduation, shortstop will likely have a new face this year for Seton Hall. Freshmen Alex Clyde (Old Tappan, N.J.) and Steve Grober (Hillsborough, N.J.) both have strong arms and good range for the position, and will vie to step in as a freshman starter. Clyde is a middle infielder with solid speed from Old Tappan, N.J. where he was coached by former Pirate Tim Byron. Grober was a switch-hitting shortstop and catcher for Hillsborough, and Sheppard hasn't ruled out also using him behind the plate in an emergency if needed. Both Clyde and Grober handle the bat well.

With the graduation of Mike Alescio, senior Chris Villa (Staten Island, N.Y.) and sophomore Jerry Huntzinger (Staten Island, N.Y.) are expected to share the catching duties this season. Villa was Alescio's primary backup in 2018, making 24 appearances and 16 starts behind the plate. He batted just .222 for the season, but that was due to a cold start. After April 11, he batted .393 with a home run and five RBIs.

Huntzinger appeared in nine games as a freshman, and went 1-for-9 from the plate. He scored two runs and drove in four. His versatility behind the plate and in the outfield may force his way into the lineup often.

The Pirates' third catcher this year is freshman David Haberman (Morristown, N.J.). A 6-0, 210 lb. catcher from Morristown, N.J, he has decent power with the bat, and has future starter potential at the position.

Sebastiano Santorelli (Tuckahoe, N.Y.) was absent from the starting lineup only once last year, appearing in 50 games primarily as the designated hitter. The versatile senior however, is more than competent in the field with plenty of experience on the left side of the infield. This year, he'll again likely be the starting DH, but Santorelli will see time at third base to spell Dana if needed, or if Dana sees action in the outfield. Santorelli batted .264 for the season with two home runs and 29 RBIs, which leads all returning Pirates. He also stole eight bases in nine attempts and scored 33 runs in 2018.

A familiar name, Bobby Sheppard (Basking Ridge, N.J.), son of head coach Rob Sheppard, will also provide middle infield depth in 2019. Sheppard played for Pirate Hall of Famer Mike Sheppard, Jr. at Seton Hall Prep before continuing the family tradition in South Orange.

2019 Season Preview
Part II – Outfield
Part III – Pitching Staff