Season Preview Video
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU Brooklyn baseball team is migrating south this weekend to start the 2017 season with a three game series against Old Dominion. The Blackbirds and the Monarchs will take part in the a three-game series beginning Friday, February 17 at 3 p.m.
All three games will air for a fee on the Conference USA Network.
The games are the first of a three-week long road swing for the Blackbirds, as they head to Thibodaux, Louisiana to take part in a tournament at Nicholls State, before rounding out the road trip against Houston Baptist in early March.
The Blackbirds, who went 19-35 last season, including 13-17 in the Northeast Conference, were picked to finish sixth in the Coaches' Preseason Poll that was announced last week.
2017 Northeast Conference Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Bryant (5)
2. Central Connecticut (2)
3. Sacred Heart
4. Fairleigh Dickinson
5. Wagner
6. LIU Brooklyn
7. Mount St. Mary's
First place votes in parentheses ( ).
LIU returns ten seniors and juniors to lead an experience heavy team. Redshirt junior Baylor LaPointe leads the team, as a second-team All-NEC honoree. LaPointe was named NEC Pitcher of the Week twice in his opening campaign with the Blackbirds, and finished with a 7-5 record in 14 games started. The Amston, Conn. native was one of the best pitchers in the conference, finishing the season ranked in the top five in the league in multiple categories. LaPointe finished the year ranked first in the NEC in innings pitched (88.2) and games started (14), fourth in earned run average (3.05) and batters struck out looking (26), fifth in opposing batting average (.241) and wins (7), and sixth in total strikeouts (57).
The Blackbirds also return regular starters in seniors Harrison Preschel, Charles Misiano, Anthony Capo, Matt Ornstein and Nick Freijomil. Juniors Anthony Capo, Dom Paiotti, Cory Hart, Bobby Maxwell, Evan Flood and Andrew Turner are also back on the field for LIU this season.
The stable of upperclassmen will lead a young group of eight sophomores and six incoming freshmen, under the guidance of first-year head coach Dan Pirillo.
For more from Coach Pirillo on his players, opening the season at ODU, and his new staff, check out the season preview video.