FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The two-time defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular season champions will add 10 more student-athletes at the start of the 2018 season. Nine freshmen and one transfer comprise a versatile group for the Fairfield University baseball team, who are coming off their second-straight 30-win season, the first time in program history the Stags have accomplished that feat.
Giacomo Brancato – Outfielder – Fairfield Warde
A two-sport athlete at nearby Fairfield Warde, Brancato was one of the best outfielders in the FCIAC while also being a 1,000 point scorer and All-League athlete in basketball. On the diamond, the power-hitting outfielder led the Mustangs during his four years, helping Warde advance to the Class LL Championship game in 2016. In the finals, Brancato provided the heroics for Warde as he belted a game-tying three run homer in the top of the sixth inning against Amity.
Anthony Boselli – Infielder – Mercer County Community College
A junior college transfer out of Mercer County Community College, Boselli helped lead the Vikings to two-straight NJCAA World Series appearances, including a spot in the championships last season. During the 2017 campaign, he was one of six Vikings to earn All-Region 19 honors, being named to the Region's First Team after a campaign that featured a .357 average. In his two years at Mercer County, he has been a part of the two most successful teams in program history with 99 total victories.
Bryson Cafaro – Left-Handed Pitcher – Ansonia
A left-handed pitcher out of Ansonia High School, Cafaro was also a two-sport athlete as he earned the starting quarterback job for the Chargers. The final high school game that Cafaro threw was perhaps the most memorable of his career, as he tossed a no hitter against Kolbe in the 2017 regular season finale.
Mike Caruso – Catcher – Lyman Hall
In his final two varsity seasons, Caruso hit .364 in 117 plate appearances playing as both a catcher and utility man for Lyman Hall. Caruso was named an All-State catcher several times during his four years in high school, and also earned Class L honors last year when he hit .333 and scored 17 runs in 20 games.
Matt Ferriero – Infielder – Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk
A middle infielder out of New York, Ferriero was named to the Colonial Council All-Star team in the utility spot during the 2017 season. He was also named to the Section II All-State Team in the Class B Division.
Nick Grabek – Right Handed Pitcher - Guilderland
Grabek is projected as a pitcher for the Stags, but also spent his high school career on the infield earning All-Suburban County First Team honors as a third baseman. A true two-way player for the Dutchmen, Grabek spent most of the time in the leadoff spot in the lineup and also had success on the mound, including a 15-strikeout performance in a win against Burnt Hills – Ballston Lake.
Jason Hebner – Left Handed Pitcher – Newtown High School
Ranked as one of the best prospects in the state, and the top left handed pitcher in Connecticut by Perfect Game USA, Hebner will come to Fairfield after a successful career at Newtown. Hebner was named the 2017 South-West Conference Tournament MVP after a complete game 12-strikeout performance which brought the Nighthawks into the Championship Game. A First Team All-State and All-SWC performer, he maintained a 1.11 ERA during his three varsity seasons, including a 0.67 ERA in 2017.
Trey McLoughlin – Right Handed Pitcher - Shelton
Also ranked in the state's top-10 for Class of 2018 prospects by Perfect Game USA, McLoughlin is a hard throwing right hander from Shelton. The pitcher provided plenty of memorable performances on the mound including a two-hit complete game performance against Cheshire in 2016, where he struck out 12 batters.
Chris Polletta – Utility/Right Handed Pitcher – Trinity Pawling
Polletta is another two-way player seeing time both in the infield and on the mound for Trinity Pawling. The 6-1 product from New York was named the 17th best shortstop prospect in the state from Perfect Game USA, where he was also named a Northeast Honorable Mention.
Nick Weyant – Catcher – Monroe Woodbury
Weyant played in 21 games for Monroe-Woodbury during the 2017 season with seven extra base hits in 61 at-bats. The catcher helped the Crusaders capture their second-straight Spring Bash Tournament Championship by adding a bases clearing three-run double in a 12-0 win over Beacon.
