GREENSBURG, PA – First-year Head Coach Marc Marizzaldi has announced the signings of seven players for next year’s inaugural season of baseball at Seton Hill. Three of the local products committing to Seton Hill include Adam Bonfanti (Greensburg Salem), Adam Ross (Apollo Ridge) and Davis Roddy (McKeesport). Bonfanti, a right-handed pitcher, holds the top spot in the Greensburg Salem rotation. “Adam has tremendous upside, and with his work ethic, I believe he’s going to make great strides with our program and be a contributor right away,” says Marizzaldi. “Adam Ross is another guy with enormous potential. His athleticism and speed are his greatest assets. He’s the speedy left-hander that will make things happen both in the outfield and at the plate.” Marizzaldi sees Davis Roddy as a sleeper for the Griffins. He says “Davis is a hard-nosed kid and a two-sport athlete that brings even more athleticism to our squad for next year.”

Four other players that have committed include Ryan McDonough (Mt. Lebanon), Brandon Whitfield (Langley), Chad Fitzgerald (Hickory) and Steve Gumpf (North Hills). McDonough has secured the starting second base job at Mt. Lebanon, the defending WPIAL AAA Champions. “Any player from Mt. Lebanon is going to be a solid addition to our program, and Ryan definitely fits that bill. Offensively, he’s got the power and the knowledge to be a great hitter at the next level. His versatility and athleticism make him an asset anywhere in the field defensively,” says Marizzaldi. “Brandon Whitfield has a style similar to McDonough. He’s a great athlete that I believe has only begun to tap his potential. I feel I got the steal of the year from the City League with Brandon.” Marizzaldi believes Chad Fitzgerald will add depth in the infield and on the mound for SHU. “Chad is coming to Seton Hill as one of the top players from an excellent high school program at Hickory. He’s a guy with great athletic ability who knows how to win.” Steve Gumpf may be the most fundamentally sound hitter coming in so far for the Griffins. Marizzaldi comments “Steve has the size, knowledge and the mechanics to be an incredible hitter in college. He brings sound fundamentals both offensively and defensively, and seems so smooth in everything he does on the diamond.”

Marizzaldi, who comes to Seton Hill after serving as the assistant coach at Duquesne University, is excited about these incoming freshmen. “This is just the beginning for us. We have a number of recruits, both at the high school and junior college levels that will be signing in the coming weeks. We’ve been very fortunate to have found so many great athletes that are such fantastic kids. There are some high expectations for our program, and if we continue to bring in quality student-athletes like these guys, I think we’ll surprise a lot of people next year.”

For additional information regarding Seton Hill University Baseball or Sports Information, please contact Marc Marizzaldi at (724)830-1169.