Deleo is entering his seventh full season as a member of the Highlander coaching staff under Head Coach Robbie McClellan. Together, they have coached 30 conference award winners, including two All-Region recipients (Jake Rappaport, 2021 & Julio Marcano, 2021), an America East Pitcher of the Year (Ryan Fischer, 2022), one Freshman All-American (Cade Ladeoff, 2024), and two America East Rookie of the Year winners (Albert Choi, 2021 & Cade Ladeoff, 2024). The 2024-25 season will mark his third as the Highlanders’ lead assistant coach, working directly with the pitching staff and catchers. Since joining the America East in 2021, the Highlanders lead all conference programs in postseason wins, including a program-first NCAA Tournament win at the 2021 Fayetteville Regional.
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The 2024 season marked the fourth consecutive 20+ win campaign for the Highlanders, as well as the fourth consecutive America East Conference tournament berth. Their 26 wins marked the second highest total in program history. Aidan Kidd was named a 2nd team All-Conference SP, led the AE in strikeouts (97) for the second consecutive season, and signed a contract to play professional baseball.
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Under Deleo’s tutelage, 2023 marked the first time in program history that the Highlander pitching staff captured the America East Pitching (ERA) crown, while also leading the league in Walk Rate (BB%) and conference K:BB%. LHP Aidan Kidd was named 1st Team All Conference SP, while winning the America East Strikeout crown with 92 K. RHP Ryan Fischer was also named to the 2nd Team All-Conference team (3rd AE honor of his career) while leading the conference in IP (90.2) for the second consecutive year.
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The 2022 season was a historic one, as Ryan Fischer captured a program-first America East Pitcher of the Year honors while also being named the NJIT Male Athlete of the Year. He led the AE in ERA (3.97), CG (2), BB% (5.7%), and IP (95.2), leading to Friday night success and a (7-3) record that left him one shy of a program record. Jake Rappaport was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watchlist and led the team in appearances for the fourth consecutive season.
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The 2021 campaign will go down as the best in NJIT program history. Along with setting the all-time overall wins (27) and conference wins (23) records, the Highlanders achieved their first NCAA Tournament appearance (at the Arkansas Regional) and took home the first NCAA playoff win in school history, with a 3-2 victory over Northeastern. On the mound, Jake Rappaport became the highest accoladed pitcher in school history, being awarded 1st team All-Conference and 1st team All-Region honors. During his historic run, he set both the program single-season wins (8) and saves (11) records. Additionally, he tallied a decision in all three of NJIT’s postseason wins and appeared in 28 games. Ryan Fischer was also named 2nd team All-Conference SP and to the AE All-Rookie team while posting the AE-leading 4.4% walk rate and 3rd best ERA (2.97) in the conference.
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During the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Deleo assisted on both sides of the ball, working with the hitters, catchers and coaching first base. Prior to the Covid-19 shutdown, he helped McClellan transition NJIT from the Atlantic Sun into the America East conference.
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Prior to Deleo’s arrival at NJIT, he served as the Assistant Baseball Coach at Merrimack College, an NCAA Division II program in the Northeast 10 Conference. The 2018 Merrimack team captured its first NE10 title in program history and an appearance at the 2018 NCAA East Regional.
In 2017, Deleo worked in Player Development for the Toronto Blue Jays organization, working with both their GCL league team coaching staff and MLB/MiLB rehabbing players out of their Dunedin, FL spring training complex.
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In 2016, Deleo was a staff member for the Midwest League Champion Great Lakes Loons, the Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Working in the Player Development department with LAD, he was responsible for all pre-game advanced scouting materials, on-field skill development, and pro scouting duties.
A 2015 graduate of Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, Deleo graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Operations Management and a minor in Economics. A four-year member of the BSU baseball program, Deleo was a catcher and two-year captain.
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