2017 NJIT Baseball Roster

NEWARK, NJ—NJIT baseball coach Brian Guiliana announced the members of the Class of 2020 to join the Highlanders for the 2017 season.

NJIT concluded the 2016 season with a 17-36 overall mark and 2-18 in its first year competing in the ASUN conference, one of the strongest conferences nationally in Division I baseball, ranking 12th among 32 conferences. The Highlanders finished significantly better (15-18) outside the conference.

The 2017 newcomers include:

Alex Burman (6-0, 1B/OF, Wallington, PA/The Episcopal Academy (Newtown Square, PA)

Matthew Cocciadiferro (6-0, OF, Dumont, NJ/Saint Joseph Regional)

Jared Kacso (6-1, 3B/UTL, Barnegat, NJ/Barnegat)

Niko Leontarakis (6-4, RHP, Weston, FL/The Sagemont School)

Pat O'Hare (6-1, IF/OF, Morristown, NJ/Seton Hall Prep; West Orange, NJ)

Aquib Ramkishun (5-11, LHP, Newark, NJ/Science Park)

Tyler Stafflinger (6-1, RHP, Manalapan, NJ/Manalapan)

Here is a closer look at the newest Highlanders:

Alex Burman, a three-time all-Mainline and all-Delaware County selection (2014, 2015, 2016) as an infielder at The Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Burman, will major in Business/Communications and Media at NJIT.

He was an all-Inter-Academic League honoree as a junior and senior and recipient of the Bob Scott Memorial Cup (as a freshman) for best grade point average and batting average at Episcopal Academy.

Coach Guiliana on Burman: "A left-handed hitting first baseman from the Philly area,  Alex will compete to be in the lineup early in his career and will also get some work in left field to make him even more valuable to the program.  Pitching coach Robbie McClellan identified him as an impact bat early in the recruiting process."

Matthew Cocciadiferro helped guide Saint Joseph Regional in Montvale to the 2016 Big North United Championship game, defeating Bergen Catholic, 9-1, and Bergen County Tournament finals, again, defeating Bergen Catholic, 3-1.  Saint Joseph Regional advanced to the State Non-Public "A" finals against Seton Hall Prep.

The Green Knights, who finished with a 25-4 overall record, were named Bergen County Coaches Association Group 3-4 Team of the Year, ranked #1 in the top 25 by the Bergen Record and #2 team in New Jersey by MSG Varsity and Star Ledger. 

Cocciadiferro earned all-New Jersey (MSG Varsity) Honorable Mention, all-League Big North first-team, all-Bergen County third-team and BCCA Lt. Thomas Evans Tournament Most Valuable Player.

He will major in business at NJIT.

Coach Guiliana on Cocciadiferro: "A product of St. Joseph Regional in Montvale, Matt possesses a strong arm and will also work in the bullpen with pitching coach Robbie McClellan, who identified him as a top recruit.  Matt will also compete to start as a corner outfielder."

Jared Kacso, helped lead Barnegat High School to the 2016 Shore Conference B South Division Champions.  As a senior, Kacso earned first-team recognition for the Atlantic City Press, Asbury Park Press Network All B South, Shore Sports Network All B South and named to the third-team by the Asbury Park Press All-Shore and Shore Sports Network All-Shore in for the 2016 season.

The 6-foot-1 third baseman led Barnegat in batting average (2015, 2016), most career walks and stolen bases.  

A member of the National Honor Society, Kasco ranked third in his graduating class and was a recipient of the NJSIAA State Scholar Athlete Award and U.S. Army National Scholar-Athlete Award in 2016.  Kacso will major in Applied Mathematics at NJIT.

Coach Guiliana on Kasco: "Jared is a tremendous student, player and teammate.  He will compete to contribute early in his career in the lineup as well as working on some pitching.  He is an ideal fit academically and athletically for NJIT."

Niko Leontarakis, was an all-Broward Country first-team honoree and named to the Broward County Senior All-Star at The Sagemont School in Florida.

As a senior, Leontarakis recorded 92 strikeouts, posted a 1.85 ERA with seven complete games and four shutouts.

He will major in business at NJIT.

Coach Guiliana on Leontarakis: "A right-handed pitcher from Florida with strong ties to the local New Jersey area.  Niko had a successful senior year and has a high projectable ceiling.  We anticipate him contributing early in his career.  Coach Grant Neary did a great job identifying Niko and Robbie McClellan is excited to work with him."

Pat O'Hare, a third baseman/utility player from Seton Hall Prep in West Orange, New Jersey, becomes the second player from Seton Hall Prep (first player Stephan Halibej '16) to join the Highlanders. 

A two-time all-County second team selectee, O'Hare led Seton Hall Prep to the North Jersey, Non-Public A State Championship in as a senior in 2016. In the game, O'Hare blasted a solo home run in the victory against Saint Joseph (Montvale) 6-2 to earn to title.

He will major in business at NJIT.

Coach Guiliana on O'Hare: "A physical third baseman and outfielder from a great baseball family and high school program at Seton Hall Prep.  We are excited to have another player from Seton Hall Prep joining the program.  Pat was a big part of the team, finishing #1 in the state in 2016.  Assistant Coach Grant Neary identified Pat as a player who will be an asset to the program."

Aquib Ramkishun, a left-handed pitcher, joins the Highlanders from nearby Science Park High School in Newark.  An all-Conference honoree at Science Park, Ramkishun ranked #1 in the state as a sophomore with 120 strikeouts and set a school-record with 18 strikeouts in a single game.

Ramkishun will major in engineering science at NJIT.

Coach Guiliana on Ramkishun: "We are hoping he can pitch meaningful innings as a freshman.  We are excited to have a local player join the team and would like to be able to recruit and attract more hometown players.  Coach Robbie McClellan has developed a good rapport with Aquib throughout the process and they should have a good working relationship at NJIT.

Tyler Stafflinger, a right-handed pitcher, attended Manalapan High School, where he was a recipient of the Coaches Award as a freshman. Stafflinger combined for a 2.1ERA and averaged 1.5 strikeouts per inning during his senior year.

Stafflinger will major in computer engineering at NJIT.

Coach Guiliana on Stafflinger: "A right-handed pitcher that we believe has a high ceiling.  Tyler had a successful senior campaign and we are excited to see him develop and contribute to the program early in his career.  Coach Grant Neary did a great job finding a great fit, both academically and athletically for all parties involved."