Last season, Iona baseball had its first player drafted in six years when MAAC Player of the Year Chris Burke was selected in the 18th round by the San Diego Padres.

Despite losing Burke and several other key seniors, Iona will look to rebound this upcoming season with a trip to its first MAAC tournament since 2000.

Last season, the Gaels finished 21-33 overall with a 10-14 record in MAAC play. Iona did record several important wins last season against Michigan, Fordham and Rutgers.

This year’s team will feature several key seniors, namely pitchers Conan Leon, Matt Marley and Tom Kriss, along with infielder Matt Kriss.

When asked about this upcoming season, Leon was optimistic about the Gaels chances. “I think that this season we have a good chance at making the playoffs and going to the MAAC tournament,” Leon said.

“Overall, I think we’ll be a scrappy team playing with a lot of heart,” Leon continued. “The upperclassmen all have worked hard in the offseason and look to build on from last year.”

Leon thinks the Gaels’ pitching staff will be the team’s biggest strength this season. “We have most of the staff returning from last year and the bullpen’s depth is one of the deepest in the conference,” Leon said. “We have a lot of experience and a couple freshmen looking to play an important part this year.”

The Gaels will also play on a different baseball field this year after playing at Salesian High School. This year, Iona will play its home games at a new all-turf baseball facility in New Rochelle’s City Park, located on Fifth Avenue.

In Leon’s opinion, the field will prove to be invaluable to the baseball program. “We are very thankful to have been given this opportunity,” Leon said.

“I feel that playing on the new field will give us motivation to show people that we deserved it and a chance to thank those that made it happen,” Leon explained. “The new facility will definitely help us strengthen the program.”

Junior outfielder Joe Torres feels the same way. “It will have a huge impact,” Torres said. “It will be great for recruiting. More fans could attend the games and become a part of the atmosphere.”

“For the players, the program has never had a field so it makes us feel great and work even harder because this program is doing great things for us,” he said.

The Gaels will not play on this new home field until March 19 when they take on Fordham. However, they will play several games against notable opponents during the time before their first home game.

This includes early season series’ against George Mason, Villanova, Saint Joseph’s, Oklahoma State and Stony Brook, who advanced to the College World Series last season.

When the Gaels do play at their new field, they will face opponents like the Seawolves and Manhattan, who have won the MAAC the last two seasons.

Other league opponents who Iona will face at home this season include Canisius, Siena and Saint Peter’s.