Posted: 11/28/2012
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh head baseball coach Sean Leary introduced the team’s incoming class of 2016 on November 28. In total, nine student-athletes from a variety of states entered Lehigh this fall, looking to help replace an impressive senior class which included local products Cory Kent and Brendan McGaheran, among others. This class features many top recruits including state champions, prospects identified by Perfect Game and also a few local stars as well.
"The freshmen class we brought in this year will surely help us address our depth issues on the mound, in the infield and behind the plate, and we expect some to contribute this spring," said Leary. "When we go out to fill a class, it is not only specific to the best players available, but also the needs of the program for the next year and we feel as though we’ve addressed both of those aspects with some quality kids."
While the nine freshmen bring a tremendous amount of talent to the diamond, they are also decorated with academic accolades including Honor Roll students, members of the National Honors Society and character and citizenship award recipients.
The incoming class features five from New Jersey, three from Pennsylvania and one from Maryland.
For a complete player-by-player rundown of all nine incomers, please see below:
Brandon Kulp • RHP • Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown High School • Engineering
Kulp ranked in Perfect Game’s top 1,000 seniors. The right-hander participated in the area code tryouts for the New York Yankees. He was a member of the All-American Baseball Academy located in Warrington, Pa. where he was tutored by Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates) pitching coach and former Milwaukee Brewer’s pitcher Tom Fliers. Off the field, Kulp was a Distinguished Honor Roll student, a recognition reserved for the top 10 percent of the class.
Kevin Long • RHP • Hatboro, Pa./La Salle College High School • Business
Long enjoyed an impressive career for La Salle College High School, capped off by his senior season when he earned first team All-Catholic honors. The Ed Molush Award winner for pitching (presented to the best pitcher at La Salle), Long was first team All-Southeastern PA, Philadelphia Daily news first team All-City and Pitcher of the Year. He was part of the 2012 Philadelphia Catholic League Carpenter Cup team, and the Philadelphia Catholic Red Division Champion La Salle Explorers. La Salle went on to the Philadelphia City Championship (District 12) and the PIAA AAAA State Tournament Title where Long was the winning pitcher. He was also the Prep Baseball Report (PBR) State Tournament MVP. In the classroom, Long was a First Honors student and a member of the National Honors Society.
Joe Kotler • RHP • Annapolis, Md./Severn School • Engineering
Kotler was a four-time first team All-MIAA Conference member at Severn School in Maryland. A three-time team MCP who also earned the Coaches MVP once, Kotler was a preseason All-State honoree in 2012. He was ESPN Rise East Coast Player of the Week in 2011 and an Honorable Mention All-Metro Team member. Kotler broke Severn School’s career strikeout (309) and wins (35) records while breaking the single-season strikeout record (109) as well. In 2011, Kotler led the state in wins and strikeouts with 10 and 96, respectively. A year prior, he led the state in wins (11) and was second in strikeouts (109). Kotler was a three-time All-Anne Arundel County first team member (2010-12).
Kevin Boswick • RHP • Medford Lakes, N.J./Shawnee High School • Arts and Sciences
A standout pitcher at Shawnee High School in Medford, New Jersey, Boswick was a three-year varsity starter and two-time first team All-Conference performer. He threw a perfect game as a senior, earning All-County and All-Group IX South Jersey. Part of Perfect Game’s Top 500 recruit class of 2012, Boswick posted a 14-2 record for Shawnee, getting a win for Burlco in the Carpenter Cup semifinals to help capture the title. Boswick was also an Honor Roll student throughout his four years at Shawnee High School.
"We have a strong junior class on the mound and we’re looking for those guys to take the lead in the rotation, but there are some kids in this class that we feel can contribute in a weekend setting," said Leary. "All of these guys have been very successful high school pitchers and, with some hard work and adjustments, I think there is a good chance they will be able to contribute as freshmen which is not always easy as a pitcher. Long had a very strong fall and was very polished in the sense of pounding the zone. He, along with Boswick, Kulp and Kotler have shown flashes and are now working on consistency. We really feel as though they are going to be able to significantly contribute down the line."
Chris Leach • C • Belle Mead, N.J./Peddie School/Hun School • Arts and Sciences
Leach was a star catcher at the Hun School in New Jersey, as a four-year varsity letterwinner and four-year starter. He garnered first team All-MAPL and first team All-Prep for three years. Team captain and MVP his senior season, Leach was the Bobo Holmes Award recipient for the player who demonstrates the most fortitude and durability. Leach was also a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter on the soccer team; he was named first team All-MAPL, first team All-Prep and second team All-County. Leach went on to the Peddie School last season where he starred, garnering first team All-MAPL and first team All-Prep while being voted team MVP. Off the diamond, Leach is a member of the youth group at his local church.
Mike Garzillo • SS • Wind Gap, Pa./Nazareth High School • Business
A local product, Garzillo comes to Lehigh from Nazareth High School. A 2011 and 2012 first team All-Area performer by the Morning Call and Express Times, Garzillo was named a first team All-Conference shortstop. He was the 2011 Morning Call Baseball Player of the Year, and the 2012 Legion Batting Title Champion. Garzillo helped Nazareth to the 2011 and ’12 District Championship while winning the 2012 LVC Title. Off the field, the Wind Gap, Pa. native was a member of the National Honor Society and the Student Athlete Character Council.
Zach Gray • 1B/3B • Livingston, N.J./Morristown Beard School • Engineering
A three-year varsity captain at Morristown Beard in New Jersey, Gray was team MVP as a junior and senior while receiving the Coaches’ Award as a sophomore. He garnered first team All-Prep (four times) and first team All-Area and All-County (twice each). Part of Perfect Game’s Top 500 recruit class of 2012, Gray was third team All-State as a sophomore. He was Sophomore Player of the Year in New Jersey and earned first team Non-Public distinction (then second team Non-Public as a junior). Gray was a New Jersey State Senior All-Star, breaking varsity school records in at-bats, hits, batting average, doubles, walks, on-base percentage and fielding percentage. In addition to his talent on the diamond, Gray was also an Honor Roll student, the editor-in-chief of his school newspaper and the recipient of the Hillas Citizenship Award, presented to the senior boy that best exemplifies character, scholarship, leadership and service.
Anthony Rinaldi • IF/OF • Secaucus, N.J./St. Peter’s Prep • Arts and Sciences
Rinaldi was on the Hudson All-County first team and was selected as a Hudson County "Player to Watch" his senior year in which he led his team in batting average, RBI and runs scored. In the classroom, Rinaldi was an Honors Pin all four years of high school and a member of the 2011 National Society of High School Scholars.
Mackey Price • IF • Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough High School • Computer Science and Business
Price helped lead Hillsborough High School to the State Finals in 2012. The Hillsborough, N.J. native was a second team Skyland Conference selection, as well as a second team All-Area selection while at Hillsborough High School. A member of the New Jersey Marlins travel baseball team, Price was part of an organization that focused on physical and mental development for high school players to advance to the next level.
"Garzillo has had a strong fall season for us and will be competing for the starting job in the middle infield in the spring," said Leary. "Gray, Rinaldi, Price and Leach all had extremely solid fall seasons and will be competing for playing time this spring and as their careers progress. They provide some depth and will push our starters every day in practice."
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Name
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Position
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Hometown/Previous School
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Major
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Kevin Boswick
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RHP
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Medford Lakes, N.J./Shawnee High School
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Arts and Sciences
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Mike Garzillo
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SS
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Wind Gap, Pa./Nazareth High School
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Business
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Zach Gray
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1B/3B
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Livingston, N.J./Morristown Beard School
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Engineering
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Joe Kotler
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RHP
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Arnold Md./Severn School
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Engineering
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Brandon Kulp
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RHP
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Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown High School
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Engineering
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Chris Leach
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C
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Belle Mead, N.J./Peddie School/Hun School
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Arts and Sciences
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Kevin Long
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RHP
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Hatboro, Pa./La Salle College High School
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Business
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Mackey Price
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IF
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Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough High School
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Computer Science and Business
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Anthony Rinaldi
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IF/OF
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Secaucus, N.J./St. Peter’s Prep
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Arts and Sciences
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