Tag: Christian Coppola

Rutgers has two players ranked in D1 Baseball’s Top 150 Starting Pitchers

On Thursday, Rutgers baseball received two players ranked in D1 Baseball’s Top 150 Starting Pitchers Preseason Rankings.

On Thursday, Rutgers baseball received two players ranked in D1 Baseball’s Top 150 Starting Pitchers Preseason Rankings. Rutgers right-handed pitcher Christian Coppola received the No. 67 ranking, and left-handed pitcher Justin Sinibaldi received the No. 146 ranking, according to D1 Baseball.

Coppola, a 6-foot-6, 230-pound sophomore pitcher, held a 5-5 record for the Scarlet Knights in 2023, striking out 71 batters in 66 innings pitched. Also, the Galloway, New Jersey native logged an ERA of 3.68 while letting up 27 earned runs and 61 hits in 13 games.

Coppola received All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors for his efforts last season and was a D1Baseball Freshman All-American. In his first season with the Scarlet Knights, Coppola received the Big Ten Freshman of the Week Award and the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week Award, picking up wins against Georgia Southern, Michigan, Northwestern, Penn State, and Illinois.

As for Sinibaldi, the 6-foot-5, 220-pound senior pitcher held a 5-1 record last season. The Bridgewater, New Jersey native logged a 2.64 ERA while giving up 14 earned runs in 47.2 innings pitched. Sinibaldi recorded 46 strikeouts and 20 walks in 13 games last season.

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In three seasons with the Scarlet Knights, Sinibaldi holds a 4.63 ERA and has logged an 8-2 record. He made 45 appearances throughout his Rutgers career, recording 98 strikeouts, 52 walks, and 59 earned runs in 114.2 innings pitched.

 

Rutgers baseball: Christian Coppola makes USA Baseball Collegiate National Team

Christian Coppola makes the USA collegiate national team.

Over the last few months, Christian Coppola has made headlines for Rutgers on seemingly a weekly basis. That continued earlier this week when the New Jersey native was named to the USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team on Thursday afternoon. After shinning against Big Ten teams, Coppola will now get to showcase his skills on a global stage.

The New Jersey native is one of the 31 players who will represent the United States in a five-game series against Chinese Taipei and Japan from June 30-July 12 in North and South Carolina. Coppola’s selection is partly due to the fact that he shined in the intrasquad series. On Tuesday, he pitched 3.0 scoreless innings and allowed one baserunner.

Additionally, the talented righthander has joined special company. Todd Frazier (2006) and Bobby Brownlie (2001) are the only other players in Rutgers history to make the Collegiate National Team. Coppola is also the only Big Ten player on the roster this year.

After posting a 3.68 ERA in his first season in Piscataway, Coppola has created excitement for what his future holds. However, his recent news has not surprised many, including his head coach Steve Owens.

“We are all excited for Christian, who stepped up and performed very well against elite competition at the Collegiate National Team training camp,” Owens told Rutgers athletics. “I’m sure he will enjoy the next two weeks competing with Chinese Taipei and Japan. His coaches and teammates, along with our Rutgers baseball fans, are rooting him on!”

Over the next few weeks, Coppola will compete alongside some of the best players in the world. Even after a 2023 season full of milestones, Coppola still has a few more goals to check off his bucket list when play begins on June 30th.

Rutgers baseball: Christian Coppola Receives Collegiate National Team Camp Invite

Rutgers baseball got a strong season from Christian Coppola.

During his freshman season, Rutgers pitcher Christian Coppola was among the best pitchers in the Big Ten. He quickly became Rutgers Friday night starter and led all Big Ten pitchers in ERA. His play earned him special recognition as Coppola has received an invite to the 2023 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp this summer.

With an invite secured, Coppola will head to Cary, North Carolina, to compete for a spot on the 26-man Collegiate National team. The camp consists of a four-game intrasquad series from June 25-28. Once the roster is cut down to 26 players, that group will compete against Chinese Taipei and Japan from June 30-July 12.

During his first season in Piscataway, Coppola became the first freshman in program history to be named All-Big Ten First Team. He finished the season with a 3.68 ERA and struck out 71 batters in 61 innings. As the New Jersey native led Rutgers on the mound, he held opponents to a .240 batting average.

To head coach Stevie Owens, Coppola’s accomplishment comes as no surprise.

“Christian had a great year for us and accomplished some special things for a first-year player,” Owens told Rutgers athletics. “He is a gifted pitcher and a great competitor. This is a tremendous opportunity for him to continue to challenge himself against the best and keep developing.”

The Scarlet Knights will be well represented as Josh Kuroda- Grauer will also be competing for a spot. Regardless of the outcome, the chance to compete among the best players in the country is another example of why Coppola has a bright future. 

Christian Coppola makes history in his freshman season

Christian Coppola made an impression for Rutgers baseball as a freshman.

For the Scarlet Knights, the 2023 regular season was one of their most successful in recent memory. They finished with a 33-21 record and earned the fifth seed in the Big Ten tournament. One key part to their success has been righthander Christian Coppola. On Tuesday, the Scarlet Knights pitcher made program history.

The New Jersey native became the first true freshman in Rutgers history to be named to the All-Big Ten First Team. As Coppola emerged as the team’s Friday night starter, he posted a 3.60 ERA, the second-best among Big Ten starters. On May fifth against Penn State, he struck out 13 batters, the most by any Big Ten player in a conference game this season.

While Coppola was one of the best pitchers in the conference, he was vital for Rutgers down the stretch. In his last five starts, the Cedar Creek High School product only allowed more than one run twice. In that span, he struck out 28 batters. With wins at a premium, Coppola gave Rutgers a chance to win.

Additionally, the talented freshmen held opponents to a .245 batting average. His 68 strikeouts were the second most on the team, and he only allowed four home runs in 60 innings. As Coppola provided excitement for the future, he was a leader on the mound.

With Rutgers now focused on making a deep tournament run, Coppola will be more important than ever. He has been a player this team relied on in big moments, which will continue during the Big Ten Tournament. Tuesday’s news highlighted how good Coppola has been over the last few months.

 

Eight Rutgers baseball players received Big Ten postseason awards

On Tuesday morning, the Big Ten announced its 2023 all-conference selections, with eight members of Rutgers baseball receiving awards.

This week, the Big Ten announced its 2023 all-conference selections, with eight members of Rutgers baseball receiving awards. The Scarlet Knights finished the 2023 regular season with a 33-21 (14-10 Big Ten) record and the No. 5 seed in the 41st Big Ten Tournament. Also, the Scarlet Knights finished the season No. 61 in the country according to the NCAA Rate Index Percentage.

All-Big Ten (First Team)

  1. Outfielder –Ryan Lasko (JR)
  2. Starting Pitcher – Christian Coppola (FR)

Rutgers outfielder Ryan Lasko and starting pitcher Christian Coppola were the only Scarlet Knights to receive All-Big Ten First Team honors.

Lasko, a junior outfielder from Jackson, New Jersey, is the first player in Rutgers’ history to be named All-Big Ten First Team multiple times. Lasko led the Scarlet Knights in batting average (.332) this past season and recorded 32 extra-base hits, 73 hits, 58 runs scored, 11 home runs, and 52 RBIs.

Christian Coppola, a pitcher from Galloway, New Jersey, is the first true freshman in Rutgers history to be named All-Big Ten First Team. Coppola finished the season ranked second among all Big Ten starters with a 3.60 ERA. Also, he finished the season with a 5-5 record, logging 68 strikeouts, 23 walks, and 57 hits. Coppola also received Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors.

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All-Big Ten (Second Team)

  1. Third baseman – Chris Brito (SR)

Rutgers senior third baseman is the only Scarlet Knight to receive All-Big Ten Second Team honors. The New Jersey native from Perth Amboy, New Jersey, is the team leader in RBIs (55), home runs (14), and OPS (1.029) entering the Big Ten Tournament.

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All-Big Ten (Third Team)

  1. Outfielder – Evan Sleight (JR)
  2. Starting Pitcher – Drew Conover (JR)
  3. Relief Pitcher – Ben Gorski (JR)

Rutgers outfielder Evan Sleight and pitchers Drew Conover and Ben Gorski were the three Scarlet Knights to receive All-Big Ten Third Team honors.

Sleight, the Massachusetts native from Framingham, Massachusetts, received his first-ever all-conference honors. He finished the regular season with career highs in home runs (12), doubles (13), runs scored (51), and walks (32).

Conover, a junior pitcher from Pittstown, New Jersey, received All-Big Ten Third Team honors in his first season with Rutgers. He finished the season with a 5-4 record, logging a 4.50 ERA, 64 innings pitched, and 79 strikeouts. Also, he recorded six quality starts and struck out seven or more batters in six outings.

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Rutgers closer Ben Gorski from Chatham, New Jersey, received All-Big Ten Third Team after a solid season out of the bullpen for the Scarlet Knights. He finished the season with eight saves, a 2.77 ERA, and 46 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched.

All-Big Ten (Freshman Team)

  1. Outfielder – Trevor Cohen (FR)
  2. Starting Pitcher – Christian Coppola (FR)

Rutgers outfielder Trevor Cohen finished his first college season with All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors. The New Jersey native from Brigantine, New Jersey, started all 54 games, recording 61 hits, 33 RBIs, 25 walks, 22 strikeouts, and a .288 batting average. Cohen joins Coppola on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.

Big Ten Sportsmanship Award

  1. Catcher – Andy Axelson (SR)

Rutgers senior catcher Andy Axelson is the last Scarlet Knight to receive postseason honors. The New Jersey native from Roxbury, New Jersey, finished the regular season with a career-best batting average (.315), five home runs, and 25 RBIs.

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Rutgers baseball captured Game 1 with a 5-4 victory over Illinois

With Rutgers’ 5-4 game-one victory over Illinois, Rutgers baseball is now only one game back from the No. 1 spot in the Big Ten standings.

With the Scarlet Knights’ 5-4 game-one victory over Illinois (22-23, 11-11) on Friday, Rutgers baseball (31-18, 12-7) is now only one game back from the No. 1 spot in the Big Ten Conference standings. Maryland and Indiana are tied for the No. 1 spot, as Rutgers is one game back with five conference games remaining.

Rutgers baseball grabbed an early lead in their series opener against the Fighting Illini to capture their sixth straight victory. Rutgers catcher Andy Axelson provided a lift in the bottom of the second inning with a three-run home run to give the Scarlet Knights a 3-0 lead.

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In the bottom of the fourth inning, Ryan Lasko’s RBI double and Chris Brito’s RBI single gave the Scarlet Knights a 5-0 lead. Brito’s single was his 191st career RBI, tying him with Pete Zoccolillo and Jake Daubert for the program record.

The Scarlet Knights registered only four hits in game one but found other ways to reach base, recording five walks and five hit-by-pitches. Rutgers freshman Trevor Cohen didn’t record an at-bat but reached base four times with four walks (career high).

Rutgers starting pitcher Christian Coppola continues his dominant performance, recording 6.0 innings, allowing just one run on eight hits, striking out six, and walking one. Friday’s start marks his fourth quality start in his last five outings.

Illinois was able to climb back into the game in the top of the eighth inning with a two-run homer to cut Rutgers’ lead to one. Rutgers’ bullpen shut them down in the top of the ninth inning, as closer Ben Gorski completed his seventh save of the season to seal the Rutgers’ victory.

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Sweep it: Rutgers baseball takes all three over Big Ten rival Northwestern

Rutgers baseball (24-16, 7-5) swept the Northwestern Wildcats (6-28, 3-9) over the weekend, outscoring the Wildcats 23 to 9 in the series.

Rutgers baseball (24-16, 7-5) swept the Northwestern Wildcats (6-28, 3-9) over the weekend, outscoring the Wildcats 23 to 9 in the series. On Friday, the Scarlet Knights kicked off their three-game series at Rocky Miller Park in Evanston, Illinois, defeating the Wildcats 7-1 in game one. On Saturday, Rutgers clinched their series win, defeating Northwestern 11-7 in game two. The Scarlet Knights completed the sweep on Sunday, defeating the Wildcats 5-1 in the series finale.

Game 1

On Friday, Rutgers right-handed pitcher Christian Coppola (3-3) picked up his third win. Coppola pitched six innings, letting up one earned run, five hits, and two walks. He struck out six Wildcats in his six innings of work. Rutgers redshirt sophomore Sam Portnoy relieved Coppola, pitching three scoreless innings.

The Scarlet Knights had 12 hits in game one, with third baseman Chris Brito leading the way. Brito had five at-bats, producing four hits and four RBIs. He had two home runs (Top 5th & Top 8th) and one double (Top 1st), sealing the victory for the Scarlet Knights.

Game 2

Rutgers continue their hot streak at the plate, producing 11 runs in game two. Brito picked up where he left off in game one, recording three hits, two RBIs, and three runs. Brito had three doubles and one walk, leaving one base runner on base in five at-bats.

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Along with Brito, left-fielder Evan Sleight had an excellent day at the plate, producing three RBIs. Sleight had one double (1 RBI) and one homerun (2 RBIs) in Saturday’s victory.

The Scarlet Knights’ right-handed pitcher Grant Besser (2-3) picked up his second win of the season. Besser pitched five innings, letting up one earned run, three hits, and two walks. Also, Besser struck out three Wildcats, locking down the victory for Rutgers.

Game 3

On Sunday, Rutgers completed their series finale against the Wildcats with a 5-1 victory. Rutgers right-handed pitcher Drew Conover had a dominant performance, pitching seven strong innings. Conover let up four hits, one earned run, and three walks, striking out nine batters through seven innings.

Outfielder Ryan Lasko provided a triple in the first inning, leading to the Scarlet Knights’ early lead. Lasko also contributed to Rutgers’ victory with a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning. Sophomore Josh Kuroda-Grauer recorded two RBIs on a single in the top of the fourth inning.

The Scarlet Knights are now sixth in the Big Ten Conference standings after the three victories over the Wildcats.

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Rutgers spring athletics provide mixed results in the third week of April

With the spring season starting to wind down, Rutgers spring athletics are beginning to shift their focus to tournament play.

With the spring season starting to wind down, Rutgers spring athletics are beginning to shift their focus to tournament play. Men’s lacrosse has already had its season finale, with other teams just a little behind. However, with wins at a premium, Rutgers athletics has had mixed results over the last week.

After getting off to a hot start, softball has lost six straight. The Scarlet Knights have struggled, particularly against Ohio State and Penn State. This weekend they have a chance to get back in the win column with a series against Indiana.

While softball has struggled, Rutgers baseball has been hard to stop over the last week. The Scarlet Knights have won three straight, and Christian Coppola recently made national headlines. Heading into play on Saturday, they are eighth in the Big Ten standings.

In a week full of ups and downs, Rutgers had plenty of memorable moments.

Check out what is going on with spring sports around Rutgers!

Rutgers baseball takes two of three games from the Wolverines

Rutgers baseball completed a three-game series against the Michigan Wolverines, winning two of three games over their Big Ten rivals.

Rutgers baseball completed a three-game series against the Michigan Wolverines, winning two of three games over their Big Ten rivals. The Scarlet Knights improved their overall record to 20-16 (4-5 Big Ten) and are now eighth in the Big Ten standings. 

On Friday, the Scarlet Knights kicked off their three-game series at Bainton Field, defeating the Wolverines 13-0. Game two started at noon on Saturday but got suspended in the 4th inning due to inclement weather. The teams resumed game two on Sunday morning, with the Wolverines defeating the Scarlet Knights 13-8. Approximately thirty minutes after the conclusion of Game Two, the Scarlet Knights defeated Michigan 6-3 in the series finale. Rutgers baseball outscored the Wolverines 27 to 16 in the three-game series. 

Game 1

Rutgers freshman pitcher Christian Coppola stole the show for the Scarlet Knights in game one. Coppola pitched eight shutout innings, striking out 12 batters and letting up five hits. The Scarlet Knights produced 13 runs on 18 hits with zero errors behind Coppola. Rutgers scored four runs in the first inning, which was plenty of support for Coppola. Following Coppola’s stellar performance, the Big Ten Conference named him Big Ten Pitcher of the Week on Monday.

Game 2

The Scarlet Knights dropped game two Sunday morning, losing 13-8 to the Wolverines. Rutgers jumped out to an early 6-0 lead, with Chris Brito’s grand slam in the first inning and Evan Sleight’s two-run home run in the second. The Wolverines came back in the fourth inning to tie the game before the game got suspended due to weather conditions.

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The game resumed Sunday morning, still in the fourth inning. Michigan hit a two-run home run to break the tie and take an 8-6 lead. The Scarlet Knights tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning with an RBI double from Hugh Pinkney. With sloppy defense from the Scarlet Knights, Michigan scored three unearned runs in the top of the eighth inning to secure the victory for the Wolverines. 

Game 3

Rutgers baseball defeated Michigan 6-3 in the series finale on Sunday. Rutgers right-handed pitcher Drew Conover pitched seven shutout innings, striking out six batters and letting up three hits. The Scarlet Knights had a productive fourth inning, producing four of their six runs. The Wolverines tried mounting a comeback in the top of the eighth inning but were unsuccessful, giving Rutgers the victory. 

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A Big performance: Christian Coppola named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week

Christian Coppola is coming off a strong performance for Rutgers baseball.

After frustrating Michigan hitters on Friday for eight innings, Christian Coppola has been recognized for his stellar outing. The Rutgers starter was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week on Monday.

Last week, he made the first Friday start of his career and was nearly unhittable. Coppola struck out 12 batters and allowed five hits in eight innings of work. He did not allow an earned run as the Scarlet Knights secured the series win.

After striking out the side to end the seventh at 86 pitches, Coppola returned for the eighth. He added two more strikeouts to his lineup card and finished a 1-2-3 frame on nine pitches.

As a result, his ERA was lowered from 4.26 to 3.24 after the final out was recorded.

A native of Galloway, N.J., Coppola is the third Scarlet Knight to earn the honors this season. Jake Marshall and Ben Gorski shared the honor on March 13 after combining for a no-hitter at Georgia Southern.

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In his first season with the Scarlet Knights, Coppola is becoming a valuable piece. On Friday, he showed why he has a promising future and why that won’t be the last time he is asked to take the ball for Rutgers when the lights shine the brightest.

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