Class of 2020 Spotlight: TCNJ Baseball

The New Jersey Athletic Conference honors the seniors across all of our spring sports who had their seasons painfully cut short by the global pandemic, but whose dedication, perseverance, and passion for their sport, their academics, and their institution over the last four years was nothing short of admirable. Thank You Seniors, and congratulations and best wishes to the Class of 2020!

DAVID CARDONA, III

"David Cardona was a leader and a half behind the dish for us. His baseball IQ and awareness was very high among other things, and he handled a lot of burden at the plate being one of our top hitters over the years. TCNJ Baseball will miss David’s leadership abilities and wish him the best as he moves forward."     

---Head Coach Dean Glus

NICK KLEFTOGIANNIS

"Nick Kleftogiannis was an outstanding leader for us day in and day out by the way he went out about his daily business. Throwing submarine, some days it looked like his ball was dancing by hitters' bats. Kleft is pursuing a teaching career along with a coaching career. TCNJ Baseball wishes him the best and he will be missed moving forward. "

---Head Coach Dean Glus

STEVE MASSARO

"Steve Massaro was an outstanding teammate whose high competitive drive pushed his teammates daily. Steve was always one to look for the right thing to say and get the guys moving forward. TCNJ Baseball will miss his leadership abilities and what he brought to the program and we wish him the best moving forward."

---Head Coach Dean Glus

PETER NIELSEN

"Peter Nielsen was an outstanding competitor who gave you everything he had daily. Whether it was pitching, lifting, running, or roller ball, Pete was giving it his all. His leadership skills were defined unlike any other as he made guys around him better. He will be missed and TCNJ Baseball wishes him the best moving forward."

---Head Coach Dean Glus

GARY OTTEN

"Gary Otten was an outstanding infielder who had great feel and awareness for the game. Gary’s attitude and determination proved strong over the years as he moved into the shortstop role. There will only ever be one Gary and we were lucky to have him. TCNJ Baseball will miss his leadership and humor tremendously."

---Head Coach Dean Glus

THOMAS PERSICHETTI

"Thomas Persichetti was an outstanding player who displayed high-level skills throughout his career at TCNJ. His base-stealing capability and range in the outfield helped the team in several ways. TCNJ Baseball wishes Tom the best in his future endeavors as he finishes up his degree in Accounting. We wish him the best moving forward."

---Head Coach Dean Glus

JACOB SIMON

"Jake Simon was an outstanding outfielder who had a great knack for hitting baseballs and making adjustments as needed. Jake’s leadership abilities are hard to come by and he had a knack for being in the right spot at the right time. TCNJ Baseball will miss his day in and day out work hard mentality and wish him the best moving forward."

---Head Coach Dean Glus

MICHAEL WALLEY

"Mike Walley was an outstanding student-athlete, competing in both basketball and baseball. The team was ecstatic each year when Walley rejoined the group after he finished his basketball season. When the ball was handed to him in the big games, there was no one better.  He knew how to win. The team will truly miss his leadership on the mound and TCNJ Baseball wishes him the best. "

---Head Coach Dean Glus

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