Over the past five seasons, Molloy has become one of the best Division-II programs in the nation. Their win totals since 2021 are 25, 40, 35, 42 and 35. After coming painstakingly close to reaching the World Series in 2024, they had another strong season in 2025 – winning their fourth ECC Championship in five seasons before losing to Felician in the NCAA East Regional Tournament in the winner-take-all game.
From last seasons’s team, they graduated a handful of impact players including their infield of Nicholas Dagnello, Matthew Gonchar, Patrick Sanchez and Aidan Larkin. That group provided some serious punch in the lineup and reliable defense. Dagnello was second on the team with 55 RBIs, Larkin led the team in batting (.373) and hits (82). Additionally, Coach Joe Fucarino spoke highly of Gonchar, whom he stated “really came around in the second half of the year and in the regional.”
Additionally, they graduated two of their starting pitchers – Ryan Hynes and Matthew Fried, who combined for 21 games started on the mound with 9 wins.
One of the reasons Molloy has been so successful in this decade, however, is their ability to replace large senior classes.
“We keep sticking to the formula that works,” said Fucarino, who is entering his 21st season at the helm. “Our biggest goal is development. We are really working hard at developing players in the fall so that that we are ready to go in February. We try to recruit well, we have a familiarity with programs on the island. We bring in a four-year transfer here or there and bring in a few JuCo transfers.”
They brought in a few big time transfers such as Jack Vallario from Fordham University pic.twitter.com/9iv4wgNXy8
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 24, 2025
They brought in two transfers from four-year programs this year; Jack Vallario from Fordham and Michael Sweeney from Hofstra. Both of those players had tremendous high school careers and were Division-I players. They both have been working at various spots across the infield, as the Lions will look to replace their four infielders that graduated. They also brought in reigning Diamond Award winner John Franco (who will be receiving Axcess Baseball’s Silver Slugger Award at next month’s banquet), Isaiah Marino from Division and Mario Coscia from Kellenberg to go along with returning SS Brian Sanchez. Fucarino noted that all five of those players were high school shortstops, and their athleticism provides some versatility for the team in how they choose to deploy them.
Sean Welsh, who broke the program’s single-season home run record with 15 will play first base this season. He was named All-American third team. He’ll be receiving Axcess Baseball’s Co-Player of the Year Award. Backing him up at first is sophomore Matt Nowlan from Comsewogue.
They return Sean Welsh who set the program record with 15 homers and compiled a 1.098 OPS pic.twitter.com/IXK4AVFwxT
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 24, 2025
They return their entire outfield of Jack Coogan, Sean Serrano and Joe Burriesci.
The pitching staff returns several key pieces; including three starters and their closer. Anchoring the rotation is James Sill. The big righty was second in the nation with a 1.52 ERA, he had a microscopic 0.89 WHIP and pitched 2 CGs. He was named All-American honorable mention. He pitched in Friday’s intersquad game, breezing through a seven-pitch 1-2-3 inning. Sill will also be getting time as DH when he’s not pitching.
James Sill finished second in the nation with a 1.52 ERA and was All-American honorable mention. He’ll anchor the Molloy rotation again this year pic.twitter.com/c4qATSurP2
— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) October 24, 2025
Joining him in the rotation is fellow Division grad Mike Knapp, who went 5-3 over 66.1 innings. Southpaw JC Kiss also returns, he went 7-2 with a 3.71 ERA over 68 innings. If they stay healthy, that group will provide enough innings and effectiveness to make them the favorites to win the ECC once again.
RHP Jayden Patel notched 6 saves for the Lions. Coach Fucarino called him a “huge surprise”, and that “he really gave us a lot out of the late inning role.” They will be hoping he can match or exceed that level of reliability in the backend of the bullpen.
The Lions will open up their season down in Virginia for a round-robin tournament against Millersville, East Stroudsburg and Felician at Peninsula Pilots stadium.
The following weekend, they will head to Myrtle Beach, SC for their annual tournament. They’ll head back north to host Adelphi for their three-game series. Another trip down south follows that weekend in the Lynn Invitational for 4 games.
That will bring them to ECC Conference play March 14 and 15 with back-to-back double headers.
For Molloy, it’s all about continuing to maintain their high-level of play, but looking to take that final step on their journey – which is to advance through the NCAA Super Regionals and advance to the Division-II College World Series.
