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About Men's Baseball

• Rheal Cormier Jersey Retirement Ceremony
• Baseball Season Preview 2010
• Academics
• Road To Millington
• Summer Development Camps
• Former Knights hurler Hertzler drafted by the Oakland A's in the 15^th round with pick #480
• Ken Hopkins with Frank Viola

The Community College of Rhode Island Knights baseball program has a rich tradition of success. Since its inception in 1965, the program has progressed to national prominence and has maintained this level for the past decade. The program has placed several of their players in professional baseball with two former players playing in the Major Leagues. These players are Rheal Cormier of the Philadelphia Phillies and Allen Levrault of the Florida Marlins.

Former Knights hurler Hertzler drafted by the Oakland A's in the 15th round with pick #480

Former CCRI Knights pitcher Brad Hertzler (East Providence, RI) who played for the Knights in 2006 was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 15th round with pick #480.

Hertzler, a left handed pitcher, was a First Team All-Region XXI Pitcher who was stellar for the Knights with a 5-1 record and a 1.469 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 49 innings pitched. Brad is currently a starter for the University of Maine Black Bears where he led the team with a 3.58 ERA and also led the team with 71 strikeouts with a 4-5 record throwing two complete games with one shutout. Season highlights included a 10 strikeout performance versus Miami, a nine strikeout performance versus UMBC, and an eight strikeout complete game performance versus Vermont. Hertzler is only a Junior so he has a decision to make on whether he will return to the University of Maine for his Senior season or go pro.

Hertzler was previously drafted in 2004 in the 32nd by the Boston Red Sox who his brother Barry Hertzler currently plays for with the AA affiliate Portland Sea Dogs. Brad was drafted in 2004 after being nominated 2004 Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year.

Baseball Season Preview 2010

The CCRI baseball team finished the 2009 season with a 32-11 record. They won a two-game sweep over archrival UCONN-Avery Point to garner their first Region XXI championship since 2002. The team advanced to the Eastern District finals before they were eliminated by Monroe Community College of Rochester, N.Y. falling one game short of advancing to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II World Series. Their success will be hard to repeat but veteran coach, Ken Hopkins, in his 10th season, is excited about the prospects for his 2010 squad.

Returning to lead the team will be the core of last season's middle infielders, Anthony Vinci (Trumbull, Conn.), and Matt Nassi (North Providence, R.I.). Vinci and Nassi, as captains, will be relied upon to provide leadership for their many new teammates. Team defense will once again be the focus of pre-season workouts.

The 2009 squad finished as the No. 1 defensive team in the nation and Hopkins will rely heavily on newcomers to repeat that lofty status. First base will be patrolled by Dan Hopkins (Cranston, R.I.), a two time All-Stater for Cranston West High School. Joel Perez (Miami, Fla.), the son of former Major Leaguer, Tony Armas, will see action at first and will also serve as a designated hitter to provide power in the middle of the Knights batting order. Vinci will return as the starting second baseman and will be challenged for time by Cody Ortega (Kissimmee, Fla.) and hard working utility infielder and former Rhode Island All-Stater Jordan Nasser (Cranston, R.I.) from Bishop Hendricken. Shortstop will be manned by two very talented players, Justin Quinn (Sudbury, Mass.), a transfer from Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., and Brent Hopkins (Cranston, R.I.), a former First Team All-Stater at LaSalle Academy and a recent transfer from UMASS-Amherst. Nassi will hold down third base duties and will see plenty of challenge from Justin Rainville (Woonsocket, R.I.) returning from a red-shirt season after an injury early last season. Rainville will also see time at designated hitter.

The outfield will have many new players. Collin Morris (Trumbull, Conn.) will start the season in left field and will be counted on to contribute to the team's offense. Centerfield will be patrolled by newcomer Melvin Torres (Woonsocket, R.I.), who will see plenty of time as the leadoff hitter in the lineup. James Reyes (Providence, R.I.) is the fastest member of this year's team and will see considerable time as a defensive replacement in any of the three outfield positions. Right field will be manned by the versatile Florida recruit Lyle Williams (St. Augustine, Fla.) a former All-District and All-Conference player at St. Augustine High School in Florida. Anthony Tortolano (Exeter, R.I.) is being asked to play many positions and the talented athlete has worked at third base, left field, and pitcher as a valuable replacement for each position.

The biggest challenge for playing time looks to be the competition between players in the catching position. Raniel Valentin (San Juan, Puerto Rico), Mike Saccoccio (Cranston, R.I.), and Brent Hopkins (Cranston, R.I.) will share duties behind the plate until one of them emerges in the position.

Like any good defensive squad, Hopkins feels that pitching is where it all begins. Optimism abounds as Hopkins talks about this year's staff. Returning veteran starter, Jim Dimon (Seymour, Conn.) will lead the rotation. Dennis Medeiros (Dartmouth, Mass.) has looked impressive in pre-season workouts and should see plenty of action. Dan Mahlstedt (Trumbull, Conn.) was very strong in the fall and should add depth to the rotation. Josh Lynch (Warwick, R.I.) from Bishop Hendricken has worked hard and will be counted on to supply plenty of innings for the Knights. The quality of the staff may be in its depth. Mike Farias (West Greenwich, R.I.), Joe Portukalian (Cranston, R.I.), Sean Furney (Warwick, R.I.), Steve Larssen (Cranston, R.I.), Angelo St. Laurent (Cranston, R.I.), and Matt Fitzpatrick (North Providence, R.I.) are all Rhode Island players that will be counted upon heavily to eat up innings in the team's 45-game schedule. Chris Mann (West Warwick, R.I.) has shown tremendous athleticism and has secured the Knights' closer role.

Hopkins feels that the 2010 squad is talented enough to defend its 2009 New England title but must come together quickly as he expects strong challenges from Region XXI rivals UCONN-Avery Point and Dean College. New pitching coach, Phil Davidson (North Carolina State University), has been a great addition to the staff that includes Associate Head Coach Joe Vigeant (Rhode Island College), who is in his ninth season, and veteran Assistant Coach Ray Tessaglia (Northeastern University), who is in his 10th season.

Academics

Academics is the priority here at CCRI for all of our student-athletes. The student-athletes are required to attend the Student-Athlete Academic Support Center each week throughout their tenure as a player here at CCRI.

Ken Hopkins and Frank Viola in Florida

Summer Development Camps

CCRI Baseball is also proud to sponsor and host a variety of youth-centered Developmental Sports Camps. The Camps are directed by the Coaching Staff with the assistance of many of the Community College players. [Download camp brochures]

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