BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh baseball team has introduced John Fugett in a full-time role and Lee Saverio as the newest addition to head coach Sean Leary’s staff. Fugett will be promoted after previously spending time on Leary’s staff, while Saverio has completed stints as a high school and collegiate head coach as well as a professional scout.
“I am very excited to have coach Fugett coming on board in a full-time capacity,” said Leary. “His success as a player and his knowledge of the Patriot League along with his ability to relate to our players are all huge strengths.”
Fugett will be welcomed as the assistant pitching coach and assistant recruiting coordinator. As a player, Fugett led Lafayette to a Patriot League crown in 2007, serving as the team’s closer for three years. He was named a 2005 first team Patriot League relief pitcher after leading his team in appearances (18), saves (three) and finishing with a 2.86 ERA in 34.2 innings.
“I’m very excited to be here and I can’t wait to work for coach Leary and the rest of the guys on a full-time basis,” said Fugett. “I don’t think there is a better situation out there for me and I’m very excited overall.”
“Having played in the league, I’m familiar with the style of play and the type of kids that we’re bringing in,” said Fugett. “I think that familiarity is going to help me with our recruiting. Also, being familiar with all of the other teams allows me to have a good idea of what we’re in for and helps me to prepare our guys.”
In 2006, he led the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League in appearances (22) with the Kitsap Bluejackets while posting a 2.42 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 22.1 innings. In 2005, as a member of the Kutztown Rockies of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, Fugett posted a 0.31 ERA and was selected to the league’s All-Star game.
Fugett has also worked for Bushbeck’s Full Armor Baseball Academy, located in Philadelphia, Pa. The Academy’s staff includes several high school coaches, Major League Baseball draft picks and scouts.
“He's also shown great initiative and energy as he attacked the summer recruiting events,” said Leary. “I am confident he will play a major role in assembling an outstanding 2013 recruiting class.”
Lehigh has also announced the addition of Lee Saverio as its hitting coach. Saverio brings a wealth of high school and collegiate coaching experience to the Mountain Hawks as well as a background in Major League Baseball as a scout for the New York Mets.
"I am equally excited to announce the hiring of Lee Saverio,” said Leary. “Lee brings more than 30 years of baseball experience to our staff. He has had successful stints at the Division I level, in professional scouting and at the summer collegiate and high school levels. I know he will bring a tremendous amount of energy and our players are very anxious to begin working with him. "
Saverio has spent time coaching at the collegiate and high school levels prior to joining Lehigh’s staff. He was the head coach at Cheltenham High School for 13 years and has served as the hitting coach and head coach at LaSalle University, where his 75 victories as a head coach rank him fourth in school history. Saverio was also the 2008 interim head coach at St. Joseph’s University in which his Hawks won 18 games.
Also, pitching coach John Bisco will return for his sixth season with the Mountain Hawks. Bisco’s 2012 staff won 18 games and included graduated senior Cory Kent who posted a league-best 1.88 ERA over 15 games.