SHARON, Pa. — Penn State Shenango Athletics announced the addition of a new baseball program in the summer of 2022, and on Monday, March 20, 2023, members of the inaugural recruiting class took part in a symbolic signing event to officially kick-off the program.
The student-athletes gathered for the first time as a new team for the ceremony along with their families to hear from Head Coach Carmen Nocera and Interim Director of Athletics Andrew Puleo. The ceremony included the reveal of the Lions' official uniforms for the 2024 season, giving each player the chance to try on the uniform and enjoy a photoshoot.
"Honestly, I have nothing but optimism for the future of this program," said Interim Director of Athletics Andy Puleo. "I know we have people in the area who have been calling left and right to partner with men's baseball."
Head Coach Carmen Nocera, who was formally introduced in the fall of 2022, thanked everyone in the Penn State Shenango community who has worked to bring baseball to the Valley. "I appreciate all the help our admissions staff and our Interim Director of Athletics have given," Nocera said. "They've worked so hard and tirelessly to get us where we need to be. They're helping us make this into something special."
Nocera took advantage of the opportunity to have so many of his future players in one room and made clear his goal for the inaugural season. "Our goal is to make the national playoffs as a first-year program, and when that happens it's going to be because these players came and believed and took a chance on our program."
The current Lions roster includes:
Troy Bachman – Mercer, PA
Braden Butler – New Middletown, OH
Cameron Caldararo – New Castle, PA
Jason Davis – New Castle, PA
Dominic Fornataro – New Castle, PA
Michael Gushura – Poland, OH
Michael Horstman – Greenville, PA
Brady Kridler – Columbiana, OH
Teagan McCurdy – Poland, OH
Grant Melder – New Castle, PA
Dante Micaletti – New Castle, PA
Bayden Pipoly – Columbiana, OH
Jacob Werner – Bessemer, PA
The team will hold practices at Hickory High School in Hermitage, PA, and will prepare to compete in its inaugural season in spring 2024.