Biography
AWARDS
ALL-MAAC FIRST TEAM (2023, 2024)
MAAC ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM (2023, 2024)
CAREER HIGHS
Hits: 4 - 3x, Last: at UNC Greensboro (3/3/24)
RBI: 6, vs Binghamton (3/28/23)
Runs: 3 - 9x, Last: vs Siena (4/13/24)
2024 • JUNIOR SEASON
• All-MAAC First Team selection; one of 10 players in program history to earn All-MAAC First Team honors on multiple occasions
• Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the seventh round of the 2024 MLB Entry Draft (206th overall), becoming the 16th player in program history to be selected
• One of two players to start all 48 games played
• Led Canisius in batting average (.350), slugging percentage (.621), on-base percentage (.482), hits (62), runs (55), RBI (44), triples (3), home runs (11), total bases (110) and steals.
• Ranked among the top 10 in the MAAC in in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS, runs, triples, home runs and walks (41)
• Led the NCAA in stolen bases per game (0.88) and ranked third nationally in stolen bases (42)
• Finished 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in season opener at Saint Joseph’s (Feb. 16)
• Recorded season-high four hits, three RBI and two runs scored at UNC Greensboro (March 3)
• Finished 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI and a run scored in series opener at Liberty (March 15)
• Went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in series finale versus the Flames (March 17)
• Finished 6-for-8 at the plate with two doubles and two RBI in doubleheader at Mount St. Mary’s (May 12)
• Named to MAAC All-Academic Team
2023 • SOPHOMORE SEASON
• All-MAAC First Team selection
• Ranked top-10 in the MAAC in batting average, slugging, OPS and homeruns
• Made 45 appearances, starting in 42
• Batted .357 with 61 hits, the second highest hit total on the team
• Led the team in home runs with 13, the fifth highest single-season total in program history
• Tallied 27 extra-base hits, with 10 doubles, four triples and 13 home runs
• Earned a .690 slugging percentage, ranking seventh all-time for a single season in program history
• Led team with 48 RBI
• Posted 1.127 OPS, ranking ninth all-time for a single season in program history
• Held a 10-game hit-streak from April 28 to May 17, hitting .550 over that period (22-for-40)
• Totaled four hits at Fairfield (May 7), collecting four RBI, two runs, a double and a triple
• Collected a career high RBI total vs Binghamton (March 28), hitting a 3-run home run, a single and sacrifice groundout for six RBI
2022 • FRESHMAN SEASON
• Appeared in 18 games, making three starts
• Recorded two hits in 18 plate appearances
• Notched first career hit at Charleston Southern (March 12)
• Drew three walks and scored three runs versus Iona (April 9)
• Tallied a double and two runs scored against Marist (April 15)
BEFORE CANISIUS
• Lettered in three years for West Seneca East’s baseball team
• Earned ECIC II First Team honors in 2021, while also garnering a First Team All-Western New York selection
• Finished prep career with a .375 batting average, hitting seven home runs and stealing 44 bases
• Batted .404 in his senior campaign, while swiping 21 bases
• Also lettered in four years on West Seneca East’s volleyball tam
• Two-time ECIC II First Team selection, All-Western New York First Team honoree
• Was a two-year captain and MVP on baseball and volleyball teams
• Concluded volleyball career with 1,207 kills, 345 assists, 679 digs and 444 aces
PERSONAL
• Son of John and Kelly Strong, both of whom are Canisius alumni
• Father played on Canisius’ football team from 1995-96, while his mother was a right-side hitter on Canisius’ volleyball team from 1995-98
• Has a brother, Kaden
• Majoring in physical education and health education
