2022 UAlbany Baseball

[Dane81]

Baseball opens on Feb 18 with a three-game series at Georgia.  This year’s team is a veteran-laden group with a great 1-2 punch in the middle of the order in Johnny Marti (2B) and Brad Malm (SS).  Both batted over .340 last year and were top 10 in the league in hitting.  Top three starting pitchers also return in Ray Weber, Anthony Germinerio and Craig Scherrer.  Should give the team strong starts on the weekend.  Keep an eye on these boys as they can make some noise in the conference this year if they stay healthy.

[tnehurley]

Thanks for the info. Baseball is my favorite sport, but for some reason I don’t take in many college games, UA or otherwise. I will get our schedule and roster, and make a point to see some home games, come spring. 

[Dane81]

Have to give the baseball team and Coach Jon Mueller a lot of credit.  They play on a grass field that has not had a significant upgrade in the past 50 years.  Every other team in the conference except UMBC plays on turf and/or in a stadium facility.   The fact that he can field a competitive team every year while at a major disadvantage in the recruiting battle speaks volumes.  I know baseball is not high up on the facilities priority list, and I’m not saying it should be, but when the best upgrade to the field in recent memory is a simple turf “halo” around home plate, something is wrong.

[cwdickens]

Can you say road trip? Likely warmer in Georgia.....Yes, run I when into Jon Mueller, I ask myself why has he continue to stay here... must be his strong Capital District roots...

• /images/logos/Georgia.png?width=80&height=80&mode=max

  FEB 18 (FRI) 2:00 PM

   

  AT 

  #16 GEORGIA

  ATHENS, GA.

   

  • HISTORY
• /images/logos/Georgia.png?width=80&height=80&mode=max

  FEB 19 (SAT) 3:00 PM

   

  AT 

  #16 GEORGIA

  ATHENS, GA.

   

  • HISTORY
• /images/logos/Georgia.png?width=80&height=80&mode=max

  FEB 20 (SUN) 1:00 PM

   

  AT 

  #16 GEORGIA

  ATHENS, GA.

   

  • HISTORY

[bob87]

Coach Meuller will be on 104.5 this afternoon sometime between 5 and 6. 

I am looking forward to the season. Forecast is high 50's low 60's this weekend.

Sounds good to me. I will let you know how bundled up the Georgia fans are. 

[Dane81]

Some insights from Coach Mueller on this year's squad.  You can tell he's pumped up for this year as he knows he's got a talented group.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP7nTdxRuXM

 

Edited February 16, 2022 by Dane81

[Dane81]

And a recent email update from Coach Mueller providing some more info.....

Greetings from the UAlbany Baseball Team.   Hard to believe but the season is upon us!  We have been preparing for this moment since our last game in the 2021 AE conference tournament.   This past fall season we were able to have a full in-person group and accomplished many things. We welcomed 10 new student-athletes to campus and incorporated them into the returning group. This incoming class is a direct result of our recruiting coordinator Jeff Kaier, and his tireless efforts. This class includes 7 freshmen and 3 transfers. Kyle McCaffrey, Nick Jessen, Joe Tobia and Matt Mariano are on board as freshmen pitchers. Tyler Pugliese is a catcher, Ryan Ferremi is an infielder and Jeremy Delamota is an outfielder. We also sprinkled in three transfers in Carson Dunkel a veteran catcher, Thomas Quinn a redshirt freshman left-handed pitcher, and Will Binder a corner infielder. In addition, John Saviano joins us as our pitching coach. He most recently spent the summer coaching the Albany Dutchman in the Perfect Game league.   We opened with a few weeks of individual practice followed by 6 weeks of team practice and ended the fall with a few more weeks of individuals before the group headed home for the semester break. The weather cooperated for the most part, and the field was in great shape. At the conclusion of the fall season, the team participates in the annual Great Dane Challenge. This challenge is comprised of 4 teams competing in a variety of unique events, including: tire flips, three-point competition on the basketball court, fungo golf, punt pass kick at the football stadium, and the old school favorite rock scissors and paper. The team of Carson Dunkel, Will Binder, Ray Weber, Will Feil, Matt Soloman, Ryan Ferremi, Kyle McCaffrey and Owen Birkman were declared winners after their win in the tug of war.

We had another fantastic academic semester finishing with a team GPA of 3.22 and a cumulative average of 3.3. The guys worked hard and shot past our goal of a team 3.0.   Due to the ongoing pandemic, our community activities were somewhat limited. The staff participated in a holiday event which included reorganizing and fixing a local shelter. In addition, the team is currently participating in the vs. Cancer foundation which includes raising money for children fighting cancer. Typically, this includes a spring visit to Albany Medical Center and meeting with some of these heroes.   The team is really looking forward to our opening trip this week to visit the 16th ranked Georgia Bulldogs. America East Conference play begins just about a month later when we travel to UMBC. This year, the conference schedule has changed to include three individual 9 inning games over 3 days. This schedule aligns with most division 1 conferences across the country. The 9-inning format gets back to more realistic competition and eliminates the 7 inning contests. The 2022 conference tournament will be held in Orono, Maine, home of the Black Bears.   Our version of “spring” training has been awesome.  Since the PE Gym is being renovated, we have been practicing at a baseball/softball facility in Latham. Workouts began with a few weeks of individual sessions, followed by team practice which will take us up until our departure to GA. We feel strongly about our ability to compete for an America East Conference Championship again this year.   Hope to see you out on the road or back at our place once the weather turns. Make sure you stop by and say hello pre or post game.   Thank You for your continued support of our program and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out. GO DANES!!

Jon Mueller Head Baseball Coach University at Albany

[cwdickens]

The current NWS forecast for Athens, GA (looking particular good)....Is there time to book a flight to Atlanta?:

Friday

Partly sunny, with a high near 60.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 61.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 35.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 63.

[bob87]

🤣

Yes. Delta still is selling seats for their non stop flights Thursday evening and Sunday evening

[mainejeff]

Maine opens at LSU this weekend so looks like both the Danes and Black Bears will have their hands full with ranked SEC opponents.

AE Baseball was actually pretty decent last year with none of the teams having truly "bad" seasons.....the league's RPI was middle of the pack which is GREAT for baseball.  With Stony Brook not eligible.....the league tourney should be really fun and unpredictable.  The AE Tourney will be in Orono this season....I was reading that the prior tourney held in Orono got high marks from coaches and administrators.  Maine always hosts great post-season events (when they can get them).  Locals are always supportive and visiting fans are always treated well.  Hope to see some of you there.....the weather should be fantastic by late May.....Bar Harbor/Acadia only an hour away as a side trip!

[alum73]

I remember my late wife and I playing a very nice golf course after a labor day weekend game.  Don't remember the name.  It was a Donald Ross course.

[McFan]

1 hour ago, alum73 said:

I remember my late wife and I playing a very nice golf course after a labor day weekend game.  Don't remember the name.  It was a Donald Ross course.

Athens CC.  Going to play this spring when I visit my daughter at UGA.

[bob87]

I think they were talking golf by the Maine game. I was hoping to visit fo the regular season series. I will stick to the seafood places and breweries and leave golf for others. Maine still is the only America east ballpark I have not saw the Danes play at

Edited February 17, 2022 by bob87

[cwdickens]

Baseball Set to Face #16 Georgia in Season Opener

[cwdickens]

Just over in Athens, GA....#16 Georgia 4 UAlbany 2 ....... out hit 8 - 4 ....however no errors by UAlbany ....2 home runs by GA ... 1 home run by UAlbany....