UAlbany Baseball Signs Five For 2016
ALBANY, N.Y. -- The University at Albany baseball program has announced the signing of five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent.
The signing class includes two infielders and three pitchers, hailing from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The signees are: Pat Lagravinese (St. James, N.Y.), Matt Codispoti (Patchogue, N.Y.), Derek Balbierz (Somerset, N.J.), Marcus Failing (Fort Plain, N.Y.), and Hunter Torres (Lebanon, Pa.).
PAT LAGRAVINESE -- INF -- L/R -- 6'0 -- 180
St. James, N.Y. (Smithtown East HS)
Currently attending Smithtown East High School, Lagravinese comes from baseball power St. John the Baptist under coach John Habyan, a former MLB star. Lagravinese hit .384 in the Catholic Wood Bat League, leading St. John the Baptist, as a captain, to a CHSSA Championship in 2014. The junior also went 2-0 with nine saves on the mound. In the summer, Lagravinese hit .405 for the South Shore Heat under coach and former MLB All-Star Neal Heaton.
Head Coach Jon Mueller on Lagravinese: “Pat is a smooth fielding left handed hitting infielder with good arm strength. He comes from both a great high school program and summer organization. We anticipate Pat having an immediate impact for us in 2016.”
MATT CODISPOTI -- C/1B -- R/R -- 6'2 -- 215
Patchogue, N.Y. (Patchogue-Medford HS)
Codispoti currently attends Patchogue-Medford High School and hit .296 with nine doubles, two triples, and two homeruns, while knocking in 21 as a junior. Behind the plate he threw 12 runners out in 15 attempts. Codispoti was a summer teammate of fellow NLI signee Pat Lagravinese, playing for the South Shore Heat.
Mueller on Codispoti: “Matt has great length and is very athletic. He is also an excellent football player, which adds to his value. We look forward to great things from him.”
DEREK BALBIERZ -- RHP -- 6'4 -- 185
Somerset, N.J. (Franklin Township HS)
Balbierz, a native of Somerset, N.J., attends Franklin Township High School. In his junior season, Balbierz posted a 2.89 ERA in 46 innings pitched. He was also selected to the all-conference second team.
Mueller on Balbierz: “Derek is a big projectable right-handed pitcher. His lean, long frame should allow for significant growth over the next few years. Derek has potential to be a low to mid 90's power arm depending on how hard he works.”
MARCUS FAILING -- LHP -- 6'0 -- 190
Fort Plain, N.Y. (Herkimer Community College)
A graduate of Fort Plains High School, Failing currently attends Herkimer County Community College. Last year, Failing went 5-3 for Mohawk Valley Community College. In the summer, he played for the local power South Troy Dodgers. In seven starts Failing compiled a 6-2 record with a 0.84 ERA. He also logged 55 strikeouts and allowed just six earned runs in 50 innings pitched. As the team's top starter, Failing led South Troy to the Connie Mack World Series where they finished in fifth place.
Mueller on Failing: “Marcus is a fierce competitor and has excelled at many levels. His experience with South Troy this past summer has prepared him for the next level.”
HUNTER TORRES -- LHP -- 6'1 -- 170
Lebanon, Pa. (Cedar Crest HS)
Torres achieved first-team all-section, as well as, first-team all-county at Cedar Crest High School. Boasting a 4-1 record his junior year, Torres recorded a 1.12 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 43.2 innings pitched. He was also voted the MVP of the state tournament.
Mueller on Torres: “Hunter is a competitive LHP with very good stuff. He has a mid-80's fastball to go with an excellent breaking ball. He has had a very good high school career in Pennsylvania and we are looking forward to his immediate impact at the D1 level.”
