WORCESTER, Mass. - Worcester State University baseball head coach Dr. Dirk Baker announced his incoming freshman class on Friday morning.
The eight-player rookie class features four pitchers and four position players. Seven of the incoming players hail from within Massachusetts, while one joins the Lancers from Connecticut.
The Lancers will open their season on Saturday, February 29 against Anna Maria College at the New England Baseball Complex. First pitch from Westborough is slated for 10 a.m.
Each player is introduced below.
CHRIS AUSIELLO - Tyngsboro, Mass. - IF - #17
Personal:
Chris was born in Nashua, N.H...is majoring in business administration at Worcester State...the son of Al and Maria Ausiello...has one younger brother, Nicholas...chose Worcester State for the opportunity to continue to play baseball while receiving an education
Before Worcester State:
Chris is a 2019 graduate of Tyngsboro High School in Tyngsboro, Mass...played four years of varsity baseball, three years of varsity soccer, and two years of varsity basketball for the Tigers...captained his baseball team as a junior and senior and his soccer team as a senior...two-time recipient of the baseball Coaches Award, and one-time Mid-Wachusett League All-Star...earned Coaches Award in soccer as a senior...scored a final-minute equalizer and again in penalty kicks in a state playoff game as a senior...named Most Improved Player on his basketball team as a senior...winner of the Irmin Pierce Outstanding Male Athlete Award in his senior year
MATTHEW BLUME - East Windsor, Conn. - RHP - #28
Personal:
Matthew is a pitcher from East Windsor, Conn...is majoring in elementary education at Worcester State...the son of David and Kristin Blume...has one younger sister, Katie...favorite spot on campus: Dowden Hall common rooms...chose Worcester State for the location, size, and elementary education major...enjoys fishing and working on trucks and computers in his spare time
Before Worcester State:
Matthew is a 2019 graduate of East Windsor High School in East Windsor, Conn...played four years of varsity baseball and three years of varsity basketball for the Panthers...recipient of the Holly Defilipino Award and Faculty Award as a senior
BRETT BUCKLIN - Lynn, Mass. - RHP - #13
Personal:
Brett was born in Lynn, Mass...is majoring in business administration at Worcester State...the son of Doreen and Andy Bucklin...has one older sister, Emily...favorite spot on campus: Lyons Diamond...chose Worcester State for the business administration program and the athletic facilities
Before Worcester State:
Brett is a 2019 graduate of Lynn Classical High School in Lynn, Mass...played four years of varsity baseball and golf for the Rams...named to the NEC All-Conference team as a senior...two-time NEC Champion
ZACK ROBERTS - Northbridge, Mass. - OF - #40
Personal:
Zack was born in Worcester, Mass...his major is currently undecided...the son of Lisa and Jim Roberts...has two older siblings, Nick and Sydney...chose Worcester State for its proximity to home...also a member of the Worcester State football team
Before Worcester State:
Zack is a 2019 graduate of Northbridge High School in Northbridge, Mass...competed in three years of varsity football and baseball for the Rams...selected to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette Super Team in football as a senior...a two-time South Worcester County League Football First Team All-Star
BEN SMITH - Bourne, Mass. - LHP - #37
Personal:
Ben is a pitcher from Bourne, Mass...is majoring in business administration at Worcester State...the son of Ursula and Paul Smith
Before Worcester State:
Ben is a 2019 graduate of Bourne High School in Bourne, Mass...played three years of varsity baseball for the Canalmen...a two-time conference all-star
BRYSON UHLMAN - West Wareham, Mass. - IF - #42
Personal:
Bryson was born in Hyannis, Mass...is majoring in business administration at Worcester State...the son of Christopher and Aimee Uhlman...has two sisters, Jocelynn and Sydney...favorite spot on campus: Student Center Living Room
Before Worcester State:
Bryson is a 2019 graduate of Sturgis Public Charter School East in Hyannis, Mass...played four years of varsity baseball and basketball for the Storm...named Most Valuable Player of both teams as a senior...hit the game-winning shot against rival Sturgis West in basketball during his senior year
CHRIS WRIGHT - Jefferson, Mass. - IF/C - #23
Personal:
Chris was born in Worcester, Mass...his major is currently undecided...the son of Cindy and Bill Wright...has one older brother, Will...favorite spot on campus: Wellness Center...chose Worcester State for its proximity to home and wide range of academic options...enjoys playing the guitar and piano in his spare time
Before Worcester State:
Chris is a 2019 graduate of Shrewsbury High School in Shrewsbury, Mass...played four years of varsity baseball for the Colonials...competed in the MIAA State Finals as a senior after winning the central district...named his baseball team's Most Valuable Player and recipient of the Athletic Director's Award in 2019...played in the 2019 American Legion World Series after winning the New England Regional
KEVIN ZARNOCH JR. - Boston, Mass. - RHP - #8
Personal:
Kevin was born in Boston, Mass...is majoring in criminal justice at Worcester State...the son of Kevin and Mary Zarnoch...has four siblings, Shannon, Matthew, Caroline, and Rachel...chose Worcester State for the criminal justice program
Before Worcester State:
Kevin is a 2019 graduate of Boston Latin School in Boston, Mass...played three years of varsity baseball and two years of varsity basketball for the Wolfpack...named his baseball team's Most Valuable Player as a senior...MIAA Division 1 North Champion as a junior
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