Cirella tabs five Seahawks as baseball captains

NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University head baseball coach Eric Cirella, fresh off a conference championship last spring, announces two seniors, two juniors, and one sophomore as his captains for the 2017 season - Cory Poplawski (Syracuse, N.Y.), Hunter Sleeper (Arlington, Mass.), Jonathan Lynch (Cumberland, R.I.), John Militano (Miller Place, N.Y.), and Zack Smith (New Canaan, Conn.).

"I told the team from day one this fall we needed to fill the void from last year's captains and it had to come from everyone, whether they had the title or not," Cirella commented. "That is probably why the process of voting and choosing captains this year was such a challenge. I think in the end, each guy brings something different to the table, not to mention we do have a lot of good leaders on the team who aren't captains."

Cirella on Militano - "Johnny was the one consensus pick by virtually everyone, 40/41 votes. He really stepped up this fall and does a great job on and off the field. He loves baseball and he's played virtually every inning since stepping on campus two years ago. I really expect big things from him the next two years as a leader on this team. He is a special kid and I think he really learned a lot from Ryan last year. Mili is the best extension of the coaching staff, on and off the field, that we have right now."

Cirella on Sleeper - "Hunter is one of two senior captains and he really does a great job on the field. He's been around a while and has a calming effect on a lot of the EDPs. He stepped it up with the bat last year which was huge. I honestly think he is the best defensive short stop in the conference - now he has to go back up that bold statement. I hope he continues to build on what he started last year.

Cirella on Smith - "Zack obviously had a huge freshman campaign for us last year, but what really makes him a leader is what he does for the program off the field. He is awesome in the weight room, he does a tremendous job with recruits, and he is always helping to make my job easier, and then he backs it all up on the field. I think this year he will learn alot from Mili and Sleep and I think the 3 of them will really be the glue that holds the position players together through good times and bad. All three guys have difference strengths and weaknesses as leaders, but I think their personalities will compliment each other well."

Cirella on Lynch - "Jon's been an awesome behind the scenes leader for us and the more you talk to players, the more you realize what an important role he has on the team. Here is another junior captain who was just behind Militano in overall votes. I couldn't be more proud of Jon. He's just the type of kid who you want to be around you and, as a coach, you want 10 of him on your team because you know he cares so much. He has been patient and is someone who has bought into the player development process by leading our team in appearances as a sophomore, after throwing three innings as a freshman. I couldn't be happier for him."

Cirella on Poplawski - "Cory is our guy on the mound every weekend. He just does all the things we want everyone of our pitchers to do. He has great command of four pitches, he fields his position, holds runners, and competes every time he is on the bump. He needs to continue to make others around him better in a more proactive manner. He took great leadership strides this fall, and I am excited to see what this season brings for him."