Baseball

	T. Scott Muscat
	Head Coach smuscat@stac.edu (845) 216-1339 UNC Charlotte '90

In 2000 Muscat took a 10-17 team and over the last seven years, not only directed the program's transition from the NAIA to the NCAA DII ranks, but built the Spartans into a top contender in the East Coast Conference. Under Muscat's leadership, the Spartans have made the post-season three times in their first five years on the DII level (missing out twice to a tie-breaker and a final regular season loss).  The '02, '03, '04, & '06 teams had regular season finishes of 5th, 3rd, 4th, & 5th respectively, a far cry from the dead last finish the Spartans endured their first season. Since going 2-20 in that inaugural season, Muscat has led the Spartans to a 59-55 conference record. In 2003 Muscat was honored as the NYCAC Coach of the Year after assembling a powerful offensive team and guiding them to a 24-16 record and a trip to the conference championship. A .331 team batting average and a scoring clip of 8.4 runs per game were both nationally ranked marks. The 2006 team hit .301, and the led the conference in doubles & stolen bases (2nd year straight year). The pitching staff managed a 4.84 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a .279 batting average(both marks good for third in the conference). The 2007 team once again led the league in stolen bases (3rd straight year), triples, and ranked 2nd in homeruns.

    During Coach Muscat's time at STAC several players have enjoyed tremendous success. Pitcher Brian Flynn (Criminal Justice '02) received All-Conference honors and was subsequently drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals. Mike Clohessy, a Rockland County native, received All-American honors as a first baseman, driving in a nation-leading 75 runs in 41 games. He too signed a professional contract, playing in the Independent Southeastern League. Outfielder Mike Sharpe (Sports Mgmt. '05), concluded his four-year career at STAC, collecting over 200 hits and subsequently being drafted by the N.Y. Mets. Jason Pominski (Business '06) concluded his 4-year career at STAC collecting 216 hits and stealing over 100 bases(led conference three times), and was voted All-Conference three times and All-Region twice. Most recently infielder/pitcher John Muller (Sports Management '07) became the all-time hits leader at STAC with 224 hits and signed with the Chicago Cubs as a pitcher. Since 2003 three Spartans; Flynn, Dan Edenfield (Education '06), and Tom LoDico (Criminal Justice '06) have gone on to become NYC Police Officers. The mark of a good coach is being able to bring out the best from his players. That certainly has been the case for Muscat in his time at STAC

    Before assuming his coaching duties Muscat had a stellar playing career. As a prep star in Greensboro, North Carolina he amassed over 300 strikeouts, a 25-3 win/loss slate, 9-0 post-season mark, and two post-season no-hitters, while leading Western Guilford H.S. to a 44-8 record (12-0 post-season) and two consecutive North Carolina State Championships. As a team captain at UNC Charlotte he set the single game strikeout record of 16 Ks and hit just  under .300 with 298 at-bats as an outfielder. Selected in the 18th round of the 1989 draft, he pitched two years for the Milwaukee Brewers minor league teams until a second shoulder surgery cut short his career

    Outside of STAC Muscat has remained active. Over the past nine years he has served as a recruiter and instructor for the Nyack Indians of the New Jersey Amateur Baseball League(wood bat). Nyack is the five-time Rockland County Champion, 2004 N.J. State Champion, and the 2005, 2006, & 2007 NJABL Champion. In 2005 they were ranked as a national top 50 Stan Musial team. Over the winter he runs the Spartan Winter Baseball Academy, conducting indoor clinics at STAC's gym. During the summer he has served as a Pro-Staff instructor at the N.Y. Mets Baseball Academy, instructor/evaluator at the TPX Top 96 Showcases, and talent evaluator at the Triple Crown Summer National Tournament and Showcase. Most recently he has served as a pre-season instructor for the Diesel elite travel team based out of Suffern, NY.  In February of 2008, the Diesel was honored as the Triple Crown Northeast Team of the Year.

    Born in West Covina, California and raised in Greensboro, N.C., Muscat received his B.A. in Economics from UNC Charlotte ('90) and his Masters in Secondary Education from St. Thomas Aquinas ('02). He also works as a history teacher. Coach Muscat, his wife, former Kelly Adamson, 5 yr. old son Tyler, and 3 yr. old son Cameron, and 1 yr. old son Mason reside in West Haverstraw, N.Y.

	Brian Aviles
	Pitching Coach pitchinmagician@aol.com (914) 419-3822 Coastal Carolina '83

Coach Aviles begins his first year as the Spartan Pitching coach. He is no stranger to baseball in the metro area, having led Don Bosco to the 1979 State Championship as a high school pitcher while garnering the team MVP. His playing career continued, as he went on to pitch for Coastal Carolina, making appearances in the '82 and '83 NAIA World Series. He was initially drafted by the Texas Rangers, but eventually was drafted by the Atlanta Braves and signed in 1983. While in A-ball he was selected to the 1984 Carolina League All-Star team. He made it to AA before his playing career ended.       

    Returning to Rockland County, Aviles took his professional experience and serving as the pitching coach, helped lead William Paterson to the 1991 DIII College World Series title.  As his his sons grew older he became involved in coaching youth baseball. In 2003, serving as the pitching coach of the Ramapo Little League, he guided the team to the NY State title. Currently he is serving as the Head Coach for the Diesel Summer Travel Team, which is made up of some of the best high school sophomores in the area. For the past fifteen years Aviles has been conducting private pitching lessons and has gained the reputation as one of the finest pitching instructors in the area. Much of Aviles pitching philosophy has come from the former Atlanta Braves Pitching Coach Leo Mazzone's "The Art of Pitching."  Recently he opened the K-Zone, an indoor baseball facility in  Nanuet, NY. He also appeared on ESPN Radio as a studio guest commentating on a youth pitching. Besides both pitching in the minor leagues, Aviles and Muscat share another common experience. They both had their pitching arm operated on by the famed Dr. James Andrews.       

    Aviles resides in Suffern, NY with his wife Sue. They have three sons, the middle son, Mike, is a freshman pitcher at STAC. 

	Joe Stefania
	Assistant Coach jstefania20@yahoo.com (845) 821-4114 PACE '02

Coach Stefania begins his 4th year as the Spartans Assistant Coach. He spent two summers as Head Coach for the New York Knights Connie Mack team and a year as the assistant coach at Tappan Zee High School before joining the STAC staff. Prior to coaching he was Rockland County standout as a catcher for Tappan Zee High School. After which, he went on to earn a starting catching spot at PACE University. Stefania handles many of of the daily adminsitrative responsibilities, as well as recruiting, and working mainly with the catchers. He also works as a history teacher and resides in Blauvelt, NY

	John Sottile
	Assistant Coach nrcoach@yahoo.com (914) 584-8775 Wagner '72

Coach Sottile enters his 2nd year of serving as an assistant coach. He came to STAC after a 14-year career as Head Coach at North Rockland H.S. During that time he compiled at 281-78 win/loss record, 8 league championships, 6 Section One Championships, and 3 New York State Titles. He was voted Rockland County "Coach of the Year" an amazing eight times, New York State "Coach of the Year" three times, and the 1994 ABCA & NHSBA "Coach of the Year." He currently serves as a skills instructor at Batter-Up in Valley Cottage, NY and the Head Coach for the Diamond Pros New York, an Italian travel team. Sottile is not a stranger to Spartan Baseball, having served as head coach for a 3-year stint in the mid 70s. Coach Sottile, his wife, and daughter reside in Stony Point, NY. 

	Manny Del Rosario
	Volunteer Assistant Coach manueldelrosario@yahoo.com (917) 628-0364

Coach Del Rosario begins his 4th season with STAC via Bergen Community College, where he served as the head coach from 2000-2002. In the 1980s he played in the San Diego Padres' and Texas Rangers' minor league organizations as a middle infielder. He also managed in the Spanish League Federation where he coached Manny Ramirez for one season. He is known for his great rapport with the players and his ability to teach some of the finer subtleties of playing infield. Manny, his wife, and two children reside in Washington Heights, NY.