Sea Unicorns announce roster for 2022 season

After a successful first half in the Futures League in 2021, the Norwich Sea Unicorns were not as lucky when the second half approached, finishing the season 27-40.

Looking to rewrite the story of last season, Norwich has had a busy offseason bringing in the best young talent college baseball has to offer. Five players from the 2021 season will be returning for a second season in the Rose City.

Pitchers Eddie Kaftan and Griffin Pontbriant will be back, offering not only experience to a deep Norwich bullpen but consistency also. Kaftan, who plays for Mitchell College went 3-3 in the 2021 season recording 24 strikeouts.

In the outfield, Hunter Yaworski also from Mitchell College returns along with Quinnipiac standout Jared Zimbardo, which manager Devin Belenski sees as major acquisitions. “Yaworski is a leader on and off the field, Zimbardo is a character and I love to have him back,” said Belenski. Yaworski had a stellar year in 2021 batting .289 belting 3 homers across 187 at-bats. Zimbardo himself had an outstanding spring for Quinnipiac in 2022, batting an impressive .307 across 163 at-bats. Expect this outfield duo to be a major force in the Futures League this summer.

Manager Devin Belenski will not have to worry about a lack of bullpen arms as a total of 18 fresh arms will be on the roster, including three lefties.

“Last year was a scramble, I got the job ten days before the season started. It was last minute trying to find whoever is out there,” said Belenski. “The big thing I look forward to this year is character of players, I want Norwich to be known as having hardworking, blue-collar players.”

In addition to the three returning pitchers, the Sea Unicorns welcome, John Ruggerio, Trent Price, Ryan O’Connell, Allistar Morin, Curren Larson, Pat Reilly, Connor Podezwa, Sean Wininger, Zachary Lopez, Finn Doherty, Bret Fee, Jack Kabel, Jordan Marot, Tim Cotter, Ryan Mueller, Curren Larson and Kolby Pascerilli.

The Norwich pitchers will have a variety of battery mates to start the season, as a total of five catchers are on the roster. Tyler Kipp, Danny Melnick, and Ryan Hyde are all from Division 1 universities followed by Ben Jerome of Nichols College and David Christoforo of Southern Connecticut State University. Christoforo, a freshman, also has first base experience.

What is special about the Futures League is its ability to adapt and provide opportunities for younger players. Norwich will have four recent high school graduates on the roster this year. This will give them valuable experience before their first year of college baseball. The players include Drew Kron, an outfielder from Xavier High School. “I think he is going to be a talented player for us this year, very physical kid, excited to have him with us,” said Belenski.

Alex Irizzary, from East Catholic, an infielder, Cameron Maldonado a utility-man who is a Northeastern commit and finally Kolby Pascerilli who is going to UCONN in the fall will be the other rising freshman with Norwich.

Just like the pitching rotation, the infield is stacked also. The Norwich infield will feature many Connecticut Division 1 players. The diamond will include Tim McGuire and Nick Sturino of Fairfield University, Jackson Ferrigno (transfer portal) and Zac Zyons of Bryant University. As mentioned earlier, Irizarry and Maldonado are also joining the infield. Norwich will also be graced with a returner who will look to reclaim his spot at the hot corner in Bryan Loriga

To start the season, the outfield is the one spot with the least depth for Norwich although possibly is filled with the most talent. High School sensation Drew Kron highlights the outfield along with Zimbardo, Yaworski, Sean Swenson, Ray Leonzi and Dougie Delacruz. A Montville native, Delacruz helped the Mitchell College Mariners capture a back-to-back NECC Championship this year.

With a combination of speed, power, and an excellent baseball IQ, look for the Sea Unicorns to have an impressive second year in the Futures League. When all is said and done, fans will be able to say that Norwich is once again the place to be for premiere baseball in New England.