New Paltz, NY – The SUNY New Paltz Baseball team is already making moves to look toward improving on last year's 17-17 record with the appointment of Assistant Coach Rich Cesca.
Cesca joins the Hawks from St. Thomas Aquinas College where he was a standout student-athlete and assistant coach. As a player he was the starting catcher and helped lead the team to an ECC Conference Championship in 2016.
In his senior campaign Cesca played in 51 games for the Spartans and finished the year with a .985 fielding percentage, a .364 on base percentage and five home runs. The team finished with an impressive 37-17 overall record. He went on to graduate St. Thomas Aquinas College with a degree in Sports Management.
The following year he decided to stay with his alma mater and join the coaching staff. In 2017 the Spartans of St. Thomas Aquinas finished 44-17 and won the East Regional Championship for NCAA Division II after toppling Southern N.H. 13-2. The team then advanced to the College World Series where they came up one game short of the National Championship game, falling 7-3 to UC San Diego.
Cesca is ready to bring his winning ways with him to SUNY New Paltz and help bring the team to a SUNYAC Championship.
"I am looking forward to building this program with Coach [Arlan] Freeman and I hope to have a positive impact on this year's team," said Cesca.
Head coach
Arlan Freeman is entering his second year at the helm and is enthusiastic about what Cesca brings to the table.
"I am excited to bring Coach Cesca on board because he is coming from a St. Thomas Aquinas College program that has had a history of success and most recently a berth to the DII World Series," said Freeman. "Rich has already brought value to our program by getting out there and finding talented student athletes that will enhance our programs success. Our program is very lucky to have him on staff."
Cesca is already adjusting to New Paltz and has high hopes for the upcoming season.
"I have learned that New Paltz is filled with friendly and welcoming coaches and staff who are easy to work with as a team," said Cesca. "I feel like being able to work as a team is a key aspect to any successful athletic program."
