Molloy Fall Report: Fucarino’s Dynasty Eyes Deeper Postseason Run

Under the steady guidance of Head Coach Joe Fucarino, now entering his 21st season at the helm, the Molloy Lions have transformed into the gold standard of the East Coast Conference. The program has built a bona fide dynasty in Uniondale, capturing four straight ECC Regular Season titles and claiming the ECC Tournament crown in four of the last five years, including back-to-back triumphs in 2024 and 2025. The 2025 campaign was another chapter in this era of dominance, as the Lions finished 35-19 overall with a commanding 15-5 mark in conference play, marking their fourth consecutive season with 35 or more victories.

The Lions' path to the 2026 season comes off a 2025 postseason run that saw them sweep through the ECC Tournament and make yet another Regional Appearance. Despite a valiant effort in the Regionals, Molloy eventually bowed out to Felician (the team that ultimately represented the East Region in Cary) in a tight 6-5 contest. Coach Fucarino, who boasts a career 534-417 record (.562), noted that the fall training block was "very productive," with the team displaying "great energy and focus heading into break" as they look to integrate a talented crop of newcomers with a seasoned core.The Lions are a powerhouse in the East Region, but their eyes are focused upon the opportunity to show their power in Cary. In the last four times they have made the NCAA postseason, Molloy has either bowed out in the Regional final (2021, 2025) or the Super Regionals (2022, 2024). They are so close to getting over the hump, as this teams looks to be that one that does.

The Offense

The Molloy lineup returns 55.3% of its offensive production from a year ago, anchored by one of the most feared bats in the entire region. Senior infielder Sean Welsh is back to lead the charge after an ABCA First Team All-East Region campaign that saw him terrorize opposing pitching. In 213 ABs, Welsh hit .338 with 12 doubles, 15 HR, and 62 RBI, numbers that cemented him as a premier power threat. His production was elite relative to his peers, ranking first in the conference in both home runs and RBI, while finishing second in OPS at 1.100.

Supporting Welsh is a cast of experienced hitters, including senior outfielder Jack Coogan. A steady presence in the order, Coogan posted a solid .309 average in 181 ABs with 11 doubles, 2 HR, and 35 RBI. He is joined in the outfield by senior Sean Serrano, a Second Team All-ECC selection who provided clutch production, hitting .283 in 120 ABs with 6 doubles, 1 HR, and 23 RBI. Speed and athleticism return in the form of junior outfielder Joe Burriesci, who hit .274 in 179 ABs with 3 doubles and 17 RBI, while swiping 9 bases to disrupt defenses.

To mitigate the loss of key middle infielders, the coaching staff hit the transfer portal aggressively. Junior Mike Sweeney, a transfer from Division I Hofstra, brings experience to the infield after posting a .352 OBP in 55 PAs last season. He is joined by fellow Division I transfer Jack Vallario from Fordham, who brings 93 career PAs of experience to the Lions' lineup. The future also looks bright with the addition of freshman infielder John Albert Franco, the reigning Nassau County HS Player of the Year from Farmingdale HS, who is expected to compete for playing time immediately.

The Pitching Staff

While the offense has firepower, the pitching staff is arguably the deepest unit on the roster, returning 67.2% of its innings from 2025. The headliner is undeniably junior right-hander James Sill, whose 2025 performance was nothing short of historic. Sill was named the ECC Pitcher of the Year and earned ABCA First Team All-East Region honors after leading the country with a dazzling 1.52 ERA. Despite being shut down after April 17, he posted a 5-2 record with a 1.52 ERA in 59.1 IP, striking out 67 batters while walking just 16. His ability to suppress runs is elite, ranking first in the conference in ERA and H9. Sill will also have some opportunities to hit this season to build upon his .408 OBP in nearly 80 plate appearances.

Joining Sill in the rotation is graduate student JC Kiss, a consistent left-handed arm who earned Second Team All-ECC recognition. Kiss was a workhorse, posting a 7-2 record with a 3.71 ERA in 68.0 IP, proving he can handle high-leverage conference innings. Another key returning piece is redshirt junior Mike Knapp, who logged significant innings as a starter, finishing with a 5-3 record with a 4.88 ERA in 66.1 IP and 72 strikeouts.

The bullpen is anchored by sophomore closer Jayden Patel, who was electric in his debut season. A Second Team All-ECC selection, Patel secured 6 saves and a 2-0 record with a 3.77 ERA in 28.2 IP, displaying excellent command with a walk rate at 8 percent. The staff also adds fresh talent in freshman left-hander Chris Spatenga, a 2025 Regional Champion from Sayville HS who earned All-League honors in consecutive years.

Key Departures

The Lions must overcome the graduation of several accolades-laden stars who were instrumental in their recent success. The most significant loss on the mound is First Team All-ECC left-hander Ryan Hynes, who went 6-1 with a 4.16 ERA in 71.1 IP, leading the team in innings pitched. Offensively, the departure of Aidan Larkin leaves a void at second base; Larkin was an ABCA Second Team All-East Region selection who hit .373 in 220 ABs with 3 HR and 48 RBI. The team also says goodbye to First Team All-ECC shortstop Patrick Sanchez, who hit .320 in 200 ABs with 38 RBI, and Second Team All-ECC first baseman Nicholas Dagnello, who provided power with a .281 average, 4 HR, and 55 RBI in 192 ABs.

Schedule & Outlook

Molloy faces a gauntlet right out of the gate in 2026, a schedule designed to test their mettle against the nation's best. The season opens on February 13 in Hampton, VA, against Millersville, a powerhouse program that finished 44-10 in 2025, won the PSAC Tournament, and hosted the Atlantic Regional. The challenge continues the very next day against East Stroudsburg, who went 41-16 and made their first-ever World Series appearance last year.

The non-conference slate remains relentless with a matchup against Franklin Pierce in Myrtle Beach; the Ravens were 35-22 last season and hosted the East Super Regional. Locally, the Lions will renew rivalries with Adelphi in late February and face Queens (NY) and St. Thomas Aquinas in critical ECC series starting in March. With the 2026 ECC Tournament set to be hosted on their home turf at the Mitchel Field Athletic Complex, Molloy has every incentive to ensure the road to the championship goes through Uniondale once again. If you value this in-depth, non-paywalled coverage of D2 Baseball, please consider supporting our independent reporting efforts. Your contribution helps us continue providing free access to all our articles without relying on restrictive paywalls. To support our work, please visit our Patreon page: patreon.com/diviibaseball