Posted: Feb 12, 2019

Cirella names five Seahawks as captains

2019 Salve Regina baseball captains (l to r): Colton Eremian, Zack Smith, Patrick Maybach, Will Ginsberg, and Dylan Smith.

NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University head baseball coach Eric Cirella has announced three seniors - Colton Eremian (Boca Raton, Fla.), Will Ginsberg (Sharon, Mass.), Zack Smith (New Canaan, Conn.) - and two juniors - Dylan Ketch (Clinton, Conn.), Patrick Maybach (Saunderstown, R.I.) - as captains for the 2019 squad.

"I think we're blessed to have a lot of leaders this year as well as a lot of guys who are hungry to help us compete for a CCC championship," says Cirella. "But these five guys definitely stood out to their teammates and coaches from Day One in the fall. I really believe there is a time and a place for transformational and transactional leadership on this team, and these guys are doing a great job of balancing when it is time to empower others to be great and also when it is time to turn the screws a little bit and get something done/accomplish a task. It has been a lot of fun the first two weeks as a head coach watching these guys work."

Cirella on Ketch - "Dylan was the most fun player to watch a year ago and his leadership on and off the field was tremendous in the fall and has continued to be outstanding throughout the first couple of weeks. The kid is dynamic, playing catcher as well as the OF and working to get swings in between defensive reps. He can just do so much and brings a great attitude and work ethic every day."

Cirella on Eremian - "Colton has rehabbed his shoulder (from surgery) into great shape while never taking time out from the team to do that. He is always around, usually with a smile, working hard and making guys better. I know he is hungry to try and help us get back to an NCAA regional his last year."

Cirella on Smith - "For three years, Zack has been that guy who always works to put himself in great shape and helps guys immensely in that aspect. He's a physical kid who could be one of the best hitters in the region as a senior. I admire how he goes about his business and he is definitely becoming more vocal, something we will need the three position players to do to keep us together through the ups and downs of a baseball season."

Cirella on Maybach - "Pat is as level-headed as they come (until he steps out on the mound). He grew up a lot last year and really helped shoulder the leadership role for the pitching staff. He and Dylan are the two junior captains who really have to take as much as they can from the older guys. At the end of the day, the pitchers all look up to and respect Pat, and he's getting better everyday and being a voice and not just leading by example."

Cirella on Ginsberg - "I love having Will around as a redshirt senior. He is that salty veteran who has kind of seen it all in his four-plus years here. What I am most proud of is how he's matured into a team-first guy who is willing to do anything for his teammates. I think if his servant leadership style rubs off on the younger guys, then the sky is the limit for this ball club."

Salve Regina, 25-15 overall and 12-4 in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC regular-season champions) in 2018, open the 2019 season on February 22 in New Jersey against Stevens Tech.