Staten Island, NY | Head Coach Michael Mauro and the College of Staten Island baseball program is proud to announce the celebratory signing of three outstanding seniors from Moore Catholic High School, Michael Ciancio, Steven Collica, and Michael Crocco. The trio are slated to aid in what is already a great freshman class that will be expected to lead the way in 2019 and beyond.
Infielder Michael Ciancio will be joining the Dolphins expecting to battle for time at his natural shortstop position. He served three years on the varsity side after a freshman JV season, and has developed into an outstanding product in the field and at the plate. He knew that CSI was the best decision for him.
“I chose CSI because of the great academic programs it has to offer and after meeting with coach Mauro and the coaching staff I knew it was where I wanted to play baseball for the next four years,” he said.
The coaches are hoping that Ciancio’s smooth, athletic, play will carry over well into the Dolphins’ championship lineup. Ciancio is batting .371 with the Mavericks and has captained the team this year as the Mavericks have gone 11-9 thus far this season.
“I’m a team player and a hard worker,” Ciancio said. “Defensively or offensively I feel I can have an impact whenever I’m asked to step up and contribute.”
“The second I saw him I fell in love with him as a shortstop,” said Mauro, who recruited Ciancio heavily along with Assistant Coach Pat Daddio. “He can come in and play shortstop for the next four years and that gives us the leeway to move some of our infielders to different positions. He’s got good pop on the bat and he’s a leader on the field, exactly what you look for at short. Pat and I feel he’s going to have an incredible career at CSI.”
Son of Frank and Roseann Ciancio, Michael has a twin sister, Alyssa, and a brother, Matthew. He was awarded an Achievement in Sciences Award while at Moore Catholic as well, and is also a member of the Richmond County Baseball Club.
Steven Collica has occupied a majority of his time as a pitcher and first baseman for the Mavericks, boasting a heavy lefty bat that the Dolphins will surely rely on. He was very taken in by the success of CSI’s baseball program, and hopes to dive right into the lineup whenever called upon.
“All of the recent success that the team has had and the great work by the athletic department made this a great choice for me,” Collica said. “It is close to home and the coaching staff made me feel very comfortable when I came for my visit.”
Being another lefty arm that CSI can use in their pitching rotation is a big bonus, but Collica is really hoping to help the Dolphins in the field and at the dish. “I feel I can come in and be a big part of the team,” he said. “From my bat to my glove I feel I have the skills to make the jump into college play.”
Mauro agrees, and is looking forward to having Collica join the staff this September.
“Steven is a great two-way player that reminds me a lot of (current assistant coach and former CSI player) Pat Gale,” he said. “I can see him pitching a big game for us and then coming back and playing DH, and he’s a very good defensive first baseman. He’s got a couple of really good pitches he throws. He’s a tough kid who has the make-up to handle multiple positions and when we saw him play it was obvious he could be a very good two-way player for us as well.”
The son of Steven and Maria Collica, Steven has a twin brother, Thomas, and younger sister, Isabella. Alongside his exploits at Moore, he has also been a part of the Richmond County Baseball Club as well.
Rounding out the list of Maverick additions is Michael Crocco, who has manned both the second base and shortstop positions during his time at Moore. Crocco has been one of the team’s most consistent hitters at the plate, sporting a .300 average or better all four years of his career. Choosing CSI was a no-brainer for the senior.
“I chose CSI because it is close to home and I will be able to continue playing with some of my closest friends,” he said. “Coach Mauro and the rest of the coaching staff are amazing and I consider it an honor to play for them. I am very excited for the next four years.”
Crocco feels his calling card is his defense, but he has added some nice pop at the plate as well. He is batting .314 this season with the Mavericks and has batted over .320 the past two season with his club team with the Richmond County Baseball Club.
Like his current and future teammates, Mauro knows the future is bright for Crocco. “Michael is an excellent defensive second baseman,” he said. “He’s got good speed and good hands. At the plate he is a pesky contact hitter who puts the ball in play and gets runners moving. He is the type of player who does all the little things well, and that stuff is hard to teach.”
Son of Brenda Crocco and MaryBeth Scalisi, Michael has a younger sister, Madison. He also played basketball for two years for the Mavericks and ran track.
The CSI Baseball squad recently finished their 2018 season with a record of 18-16, finalizing the season in dramatic come-from-behind fashion to win the CUNYAC Postseason Championship, their 20th overall and fourth-straight. They graduated six seniors this past season, so the Centrals pair will be expected to fill a strong void.
