Canton, NY – The SUNY Canton baseball team is set to get its season under way on Saturday, February 24th in Washington, D.C. under second year Head Coach
Wilson Matos.
The team will open 2024 at the Bison Baseball Classic hosted by Gallaudet University. After the Bison had to unfortunately cancel their season, the Roos are now slated for a doubleheader with Wells College on Saturday followed by a single game against Albright College on Sunday.
The following weekend the Roos travel to SUNY Oneonta for a three game set before heading south for seven games in sunny Florida on spring break (3/10-3/16). After returning home the team is scheduled for three doubleheaders against Hamilton (3/22), Oswego State (3/23) and Utica (3/27). The Roos open North Atlantic Conference (NAC) play with a three game series at SUNY Cobleskill (4/5-6). Canton's home-opening doubleheader is set for April 12th against the Fighting Tigers. To view the full schedule release, click
HERE.
The Roos have been picked to finish third in the NAC West in a vote of the division's four head coaches. SUNY Cobleskill has been chosen to defend their NAC West title with 15 points and three first-place votes. Eastern Nazarene (11) was picked second and the Roos third (8 – one first-place vote). SUNY Poly rounded out the poll with six points. Defending NAC champion Husson was picked first in the NAC West with 35 points and five first-place votes.
SUNY Canton returns
Nick Shoemaker (.352 BA) and
Alphonse Fuca (.303 BA) who both hit north of .300 last season. Shoemaker led the Roos with 44 hits last season and also drove in 26 runs.
Derek Maldonado (.288 BA, 6 doubles),
Frank Nieto (.245 BA, 27 hits, 23 runs, 5 doubles, 4 triples, 2 home runs),
Nick Barone (4 home runs, 25 RBI) and
Edilberto Rosado (19 hits, 10 RBI) will all look to step up as key returners for the Roos.
On the mound Canton returns
Hunter LaValley (2-2 record, team-best 4.37 ERA, 35.0 IP) and
Kayden Guerin (3-2 record, 4.38 ERA, 39.0 IP) to lead the team's pitching staff.
The Roos welcome 15 new student-athletes to the roster in three juniors, a sophomore and 11 freshmen.
New Student-Athletes
| Name |
Yr. |
Position |
Hometown |
| Matthew Brandes |
Jr. |
OF |
Lake Placid, NY |
| John LaPorte |
Jr. |
INF |
Plattsburgh, NY |
| Danny Santana |
Jr. |
INF |
Hackensack, NJ |
| Jake Detlefsen |
So. |
INF |
Berne, NY |
| Christian Matos |
Fr. |
P |
Mayaguez, Puerto Rico |
| Drew Dabill |
Fr. |
OF/P |
Wilson, NY |
| Alex Mitchell |
Fr. |
OF/P |
Ogdensburg, NY |
| Keegan Franklin |
Fr. |
P |
Norwich, NY |
| Josue Ortega |
Fr. |
3B/C |
Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico |
| Javier Terron |
Fr. |
P |
Florida, Puerto Rico |
| Eliezer Vazquez |
Fr. |
1B/P |
Toa Baja, Puerto Rico |
| Daniel Aviles |
Fr. |
P |
Toa Alta, Puerto Rico |
| Maxwell Rose |
Fr. |
P/3B |
Ottawa, ON |
| Alfredo Pabon |
Fr. |
INF |
Mayaguez, Puerto Rico |
| Tom Santo |
Fr. |
2B/OF |
Franklin Square, NY |
About SUNY Canton
As Northern New York's premier college for career-driven bachelor's and associate degrees,
SUNY Canton delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, management, and healthcare fields. It is home to the
Center for Criminal Justice, Intelligence and Cybersecurity. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. As SUNY's leader in online education,
SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses as well as 23 online degree programs. The
SUNY Canton Kangaroos 15 traditional athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division III level as part of the North Atlantic Conference. SUNY Canton also features varsity esports and cheerleading.
-www.rooathletics.com-
