Edison, NJ – The MAAC celebrates its 40th Anniversary throughout the 2020-21 academic year, continuing its mission to provide student-athletes the opportunity to succeed in both academics and athletics.
The Jaspers have been one of the top baseball programs in the MAAC over the last 15-plus years, having won titles in 2006, 2011 and 2012. Representing Manhattan on the MAAC 40th Anniversary Team are:
Matt Rizzotti – 2005-07
* One of the top offensive threats in MAAC history, he hit .367 with 205 hits, 29 home runs, 151 runs and 143 RBI in just three seasons.
* The 2005 MAAC Rookie and Player of the Year, he set school records with a .416 average, 72 hits, 21 doubles and 57 RBI to go along with nine home runs as a rookie.
* As a sophomore in 2006, Rizzotti helped lead the Jaspers to their first MAAC title, along with wins over Nebraska and San Francisco in NCAA regional play.
* A three-time All-MAAC selection, Rizzotti was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft and would rise to the Triple-A ranks.
Chris Cody – 2003-06
* Arguably the top pitcher in MAAC history he continues to hold school records in wins (29), strikeouts (295) and complete games (19).
* The 2006 MAAC Pitcher of the Year, he went 12-2 with a 1.42 ERA and 105 strikeouts over 108.0 innings, while limiting opposing hitters to a scant .199 average, as Manhattan won its first MAAC title.
* Cody fired a complete game victory against No. 6 Nebraska in the 2006 NCAA Regionals, lifting the Jaspers to a thrilling 4-1 win.
* A two-time All-MAAC First Team selection, he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the eighth round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft and would reach Triple-A.
Mark Onorati – 2008-11
* The program's all-time leader in hits (286), runs (232) and doubles (70), he hit a blistering .352 over his four years.
* Onorati also ranks among the Manhattan's all-time leaders in RBI (162-3rd) and home runs (25-7th).
* A four-time All-MAAC selection, he twice earned First Team accolades.
* He capped his career by helping lead Manhattan to 2011 MAAC Championship, and was twice named to the MAAC All-Tournament Team.
Chad Salem - 2008-11
* Arguably the top power hitter in program history, he hit a blistering a .350 with a school-record 42 home runs and 214 RB over his four years.
* Salem also ranks among the program leaders in hits (263-2nd), runs (201-3rd) and doubles (57-4th).
* A four-time All-MAAC selection, he notched First Team honors as a junior in 2010, hitting .383 with 13 doubles, 15 home runs and a school-record 68 RBI while also slugging at a .717 clip.
* Salem concluded his career by helping the Jaspers to the 2011 MAAC Championship.
John Soldinger - 2010-13
* The only pitcher in program history to win multiple major MAAC awards, he ranks among the Manhattan career leaders in innings pitched (353.0-1st), wins (26-2nd), complete games (17-2nd), saves (10-6th), strikeouts (221-7th).
* He burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2010, going 5-3 with seven saves, 48 strikeouts and a 2.83 ERA over 60.1 innings en route to winning MAAC Relief Pitcher of the Year honors.
* Soldinger followed that up as the 2011 MAAC Pitcher of the Year, going 10-3 with 66 strikeouts and a 3.57 ERA while helping the Jaspers to their second MAAC Championship history.
* He earned his third All-MAAC honor as a junior in 2012, repeating on the First Team, as Manhattan won its second-straight MAAC title.
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About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) celebrates its 40
th year of competition during the 2020-21 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter's University, and Siena College.
