From NYU Athletics

For the first time in 41 years, a New York University varsity baseball team will be taking the field.

Beginning on February 13, 2015, the Violets finally return to the diamond.

NYU last played a varsity baseball game on May 16, 1974. It resulted in a 13-7 loss at Princeton University, the end to a winless 0-14 season.

NYU's last varsity victory was posted on May 16, 1973, an 11-1 win over St. John's University.

"Although we are extremely young, the goal is to compete right away," said NYU Head Coach Doug Kimbler. "We are all excited to finally take the field and bring back NYU Baseball."

The 2015 Violets will be fielding one of the youngest teams in the country with a roster that features 23 freshmen, six sophomores, two juniors, and no seniors.

Kimbler leads the squad following two seasons as Head Coach at NYU-Poly. He will be assisted by Aaron Walsh, Jeff Kamrath and Ray Kim.

Four freshmen - Chase Denison, Christian Pellegrino, Cameron Serapilio-Frank, and Michael Vokulich - and sophomore CJ Picerni were named captains. Each of them should play a significant role this season as Denison, Serapillo-Frank and Vokulich will be relied on to lead the Violets' starting rotation. Picerni will most likely start the majority of games behind the plate for NYU, while Pellegrino will play first base and see time at catcher, as well.

Matthew Millus will also join the rotation for NYU, and Kimbler plans to use his starters out of the bullpen when necessary. Jake Smith will be utilized as a fifth starter and throughout the infield.

Expected to contribute out of the bullpen will be Michael Anastasiou, Jacob Bader, Bret Johanneson, Marshall Kramsky, Patrick Pengeroth, Matthew Wells, and Jarret Weiss.

Around the horn, Matthew Miller (1B/3B), Jeremy Wayne (2B), Jonathan Iaione (SS), andChristian Bloom (3B) are expected to see significant playing time.

Also vying for action around the infield are Andrew Cilento, Sy Cohen, Billy Griffo, and Sam Raskin.

In the outfield, Vokulich, David Wagner, Adrian Spitz, and Alec Stearn are expected to receive most of the starts, while Peter Finch, Christopher Ma and Andrew Peterson provide depth.

Backing up Picerni behind the plate will be the duo of Matthew Gaeta and Scott Hilbrandt.

NYU opens its season with a three-game series against Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA, on February 13-14. The Violets will then play four more games in early March before traveling to Florida for University Athletic Association (UAA) competition from March 8-15.

"We are playing a tough schedule, so we are going to find out a lot about ourselves early," added Kimbler. "The UAA is arguably the toughest conference in the country. There won't be any easy games."

The Violets will host their home opener against Brandeis University on March 28. NYU will play all of its home games at MCU Park in Brooklyn, NY, which is also home to the Brooklyn Cyclones, a minor league affiliate of the New York Mets.

"We're playing our home games in an outstanding facility which will help create an exciting atmosphere for the return of NYU varsity baseball," Kimber suggested. "We can't wait to get started."