PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – The Plattsburgh State Cardinals baseball team enters the 2026 season looking to take a step forward in SUNYAC play after a 12–21 campaign a year ago. Head coach Sam Quinn-Loeb returns a strong core of experienced upperclassmen on both sides of the ball as the team looks to return to the conference playoffs. The team opens its season on Sunday, March 1, when it takes on Vassar in a doubleheader hosted by Bard College.

Infield:

Plattsburgh returns several key pieces to its infield, headlined by junior third baseman Michael Piccirillo (Glen Cove, N.Y./Glen Cove), who hit .342 in limited action last season and provided consistent production when in the lineup. Junior first baseman Austin Caldwell (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) will look to take on an expanded role after previously showing flashes of offensive upside.

Junior Nick Pace (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Yorktown) brings experience to second base, while juniors Jonathan Beale (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Peter's Boys) and Tyler Martin (New Windsor, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy) provide additional depth and versatility across the infield. Senior Bostyn Duquette (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Plattsburgh), who can contribute both in the field and on the mound, gives the Cardinals added flexibility.

Sophomore Jacob Hayes (Montebello, N.Y./Suffern) and a strong first-year class, including Jackson Paplin (Mount Sinai, N.Y./Mount Sinai), Michael Mann (Rensselaer, N.Y./LaSalle Institute), Tyler Maggio (Rocky Point, N.Y./Rocky Point), Seth Petrashune (Saranac, N.Y./Saranac), and Braden Calkins (Plattsburgh, N.Y./Plattsburgh), will compete for innings and look to inject energy into the lineup.

Outfield:

The outfield will be anchored by senior Colin Ross (Mastic Beach, N.Y./William Floyd), who returns as the Cardinals' top power threat after hitting .338 with six home runs and a team-best 1.085 OPS in 2025. Ross emerged as one of the most dangerous bats in the SUNYAC last season and will be counted on to anchor the middle of the order.

Juniors Frankie Kowal (Shrub Oak, N.Y./Lakeland), Luciano Fiorello (Cornwall, N.Y./Cornwall), and Jackson Pam (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills East) all return with experience, while senior Ryan Hart (Portland, Ore./Jesuit) adds veteran leadership to the group.

The Cardinals also welcome several first-years who will compete for time, including Logan Provost (Mount Kisco, N.Y./Fox Lane), Aman Aery (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills West), and Mason Diltz (Monroe, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury), along with sophomores Finn Gaklik (Wappinger Falls, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham) and Marc Cancelliere (Pine Bush, N.Y./Pine Bush), who offer additional versatility.

Catcher:

Junior Ian Warren (Esopus, N.Y./Highland) returns behind the plate and will look to take a major step forward in an expanded role. He'll be joined by a deep and competitive catching unit that includes first-years William Keefe (New York, N.Y./Xavier), David Wallace (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa), and Angel Quiles (East Elmhurst, N.Y./Taft School).

Pitchers:

Plattsburgh's pitching staff returns several arms who logged meaningful innings last season.

Senior Isaiah Maines (Hudson, N.Y./Hudson) and junior Jack Castillo (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) are expected to factor into the rotation. Juniors Hunter Eberhart (East Hampton, N.Y./East Hampton), Justin Sargent (Niskayuna, N.Y./Niskayuna), Jason Carrasco (Bronx, N.Y./AECI II), Anthony Mante (Mahopac, N.Y./Mahopac), Tyler Scorzelli (Latham, N.Y./Shaker), Kyan Zamaniyan (Kings Park, N.Y./Smithtown West), and Drew Romesser (Akron, N.Y./Akron) add experienced depth.

Senior left-hander Kwintin Nurse (Wynantskill, N.Y./Troy) provides a veteran presence on the mound, while sophomore Liam Suozzo (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Arlington) looks to build on his first collegiate season.

The Cardinals also welcome a large and talented first-year pitching class, including Dom Benedetto (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Putnam Valley), Angelo Trusso (Staten Island, N.Y./Monsignor Farrell), Ryan Loughlin (Sound Beach, N.Y./Rocky Point), Max Palermo (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa), Sean Kelly (LaGrangeville, N.Y./Arlington), Cole Wetzel (Wading River, N.Y./Shoreham-Wading River), Justin Hills (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale), Kyle Sperring (West Nyack, N.Y./Clarkstown South), and John Esposito (Wappingers Falls, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham), all of whom will compete for early opportunities.