Canisius College baseball coach
Mike McRae has announced that six student-athletes will also join the Golden Griffin baseball program for the 2013 season. The six players are Richard Hopcia, Auston Ingram, Anthony Massicci, Brett Siddall, Tyler Soucie and Mitchell Triolo. The six players are a catcher, two pitchers, two outfielders and two infielders. Soucie will sit out the 2012 season as a transfer and join the team with two years of eligibility for the 2013 season while the other five student-athletes will join the team for the 2013 season with four years of eligibility.
"This class is an exciting group of young men," McRae said. "I want to thank the entire efforts of our coaching staff, especially Ryan Asis and Matt Mazurek, who collectively did an amazing job of bringing this class to fruition. I am confident these players will ensure a bright future in "Griff Land.'"
 |
|
- Catcher
- Played four years at Alden High School
- Team MVP in 2011
- Second-Team All-WNY and First-Team ECIC in 2010
- Played in the Empire State Games in 2010
McRae on Hopcia
"Rich is a very talented backstop. We love the fact that Rich is equally skilled as a hitter as he is defensively. You cannot afford to sacrifice defense for offense at the Division 1 level, and Rich will ensure that does not happen. He will keep the Griffs strong up the middle for years to come."
|
|
Richard Hopcia
(Alden, N.Y.)
|
|
|
 |
|
- Outfield
- Has played last three years at Claremont High School
- Earned All-Sierra League honors as a junior
- Hit .316 last season
- Earned All-Tournament Team honors at Darryl A. Kile Memorial Corona/Norco Tournament
McRae on Ingram
"Auston is an intriguing player. He excited our entire staff with his desire to be a Griff, combined with outstanding bat speed. He is a very mature young man, which should enable Auston to adjust to the college lifestyle quickly."
|
Auston Ingram
(La Verne, Calif.) |
|
|
 |
|
-
Middle Infield
- Played for three years at Ithaca High School
- Earned All-League honors
- Also played hockey at Ithaca
McRae on Massicci
"Anthony is an extremely versatile player. Not only can he play multiple positions, but he can contribute to a team in many ways. Offensively he acts as a catalyst in the lineup. In the field, he can pick it at three spots."
|
Anthony Massicci
(Ithaca, N.Y.) |
|
|
 |
|
- Outfield
- Played for Team Canada at Americas World Junior Tournament and earned All-Tournament Team honors as Canada took home silver
- Earned All-City Honors in 2011 for Holy Hames High School
- Father spent time with the Montreal Expos, Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers
McRae on Siddall
"Brett has come a long way in the past year. He is extremely versatile and will have the chance to pitch and hit in college if he elects to. His performance at the World Junior Tourney demonstrates that he is one of the top hitters on an elite stage. Brett has a very bright future, and we can't wait for him to don a Griffs' jersey."
|
Brett Siddall
(Windsor, Ontario) |
|
|
 |
|
- Pitcher
- Spent one season at Wilfried Laurier
- Played with Ontario Nationals of the Premier Baseball League of Ontario (2007-09)
-
Spent one season at Spring Arbor in 2009-10
- Went 2-0 with a save in the championship game at Baseball Heaven Scout Tournament in Yaphank, N.Y. in 2009
McRae on Soucie
"Tyler is a big, strong, hard-throwing pitcher. He has a prototypical pitcher's frame but with a very young arm. Being older and more mature makes him a welcomed addition to our 2013 team. There is no doubt that Tyler should make a splash immediately. The fact that he can work out for a year under our direction will expedite his development."
|
Tyler Soucie
(Cambridge, Ontario) |
|
|
 |
|
- Shortstop
- Been selected for Canadian National Junior Team Training Camp in March in St. Petersburg, Fla.
-
Played for four years with the Toronto Mets
- Earned Sunbelt All-Tournament Team honors
- Earned All-Tournament Team honors at the Canada Cup
McRae on Triolo
"Mitch is the best middle guy in all of Canada. He is a middle-of-the-order hitter who can make highlight plays in the field. Mitch should be an impact player as a freshman. Obviously, we are expecting big things from him."
|
Mitchell Triolo
(Toronto, Ontario) |
|
|
