Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

Rutgers-Newark head baseball coach Mark Rizzi knew that newcomer Michael Cassese would have a positive impact on the Scarlet Raiders this spring. 

But could have anyone dreamed what the Belleville native has done in his first few weeks as a Scarlet Raider? Cassese has merely batted .378 with four homers and 20 RBI in his first 11 games. In one five-game stretch, Cassese had an astounding 17 RBI. 

“That’s a season for some guys,” Rizzi said about Cassese’s offensive explosion. “Sure, we saw potential, but we obviously didn’t expect that. He’s made the most of his opportunity.” 

Cassese, a transfer from Bergen County Community College, was an infielder for most of his baseball life, including high school and his two years at the junior college level. When Cassese transferred to R-N to begin this season, Rizzi told him that the chances of playing the infield were slim, considering that the Raiders’ entire infield returned from a year ago. 

“We told him that upfront,” Rizzi said. “His only chance to get in the lineup was in the outfield.” 

Cassese didn’t mind. 

“I can play anywhere,” Cassese said. “I’ve pitched, played catcher, the infield, the outfield. It didn’t matter to me. I just try to play anywhere I can. I played a little outfield last summer. I just needed a position here. I’m a utility guy. Just put me somewhere and I’ll be fine.” 

Cassese had a fine career at Belleville High School, but didn’t know where he would end up in college. 

“I looked at Ramapo, but my grades weren’t that good,” Cassese said. “I had a friend from high school (Dominic Malanga) who went to Bergen and liked it, so I went there. But I knew after Bergen that I would transfer somewhere.” 

Rizzi said that the Scarlet Raiders played Bergen County CC during the fall season every year and was impressed with Cassese’s ability.

“I remember watching him and seeing that he just looked like a baseball player,” Rizzi said. “He handled himself well.” 

Rizzi said that his relationship with Cassese’s high school coach, Alan Frank, also aided in the cause. 

“Alan kept calling me and telling me that we had to go after the kid,” Rizzi said. “So we checked his interest in us.” 

Cassese isn’t the biggest kid in the world. He stands 5-foot-9 and weighs about 180 pounds. 

“But I don’t think size has anything to do it,” Cassese said. “I just want to play.” 

Rizzi is marveled by Cassese’s work ethic. 

“He’s in the batting cage every day, before and after practice, any free time he has,” Rizzi said. “He works very hard. He goes all out all the time and I think he’s being rewarded for his hard work.” 

Cassese said that he just loves to spend time in the cage. 

“Any free time I have, I want to hit,” Cassese said. “It’s a way for me to blow off steam. I feel like I’m relaxed in the cage. It’s my place to get away from everything and forget about everything else. I love spending time there.” 

Rizzi said that Cassese is certainly making a major impression already. 

“He does have a small frame, but he gets a lot out of every inch. Opposing coaches are going to look at him and say, `He’s the kid who hit the three homers in week?’ They’re not going to believe it.” 

Rizzi said that Cassese has fit in nicely in his role as the No. 2 hitter in the lineup, playing left field. Cassese has filled the void left by the graduation of Brian Gill, who was the Scarlet Raiders’ starting left fielder and second hitter for the last two seasons. 

“It was definitely a concern coming into the season, because Brian was born to be a No. 2 hitter,” Rizzi said. “He was the perfect No. 2 hitter. When we lost Brian, we had a couple of candidates to replace him there. Mike showed us in the fall that he deserved to play every day and it was up to me whether to put him at No. 2 or then 7, 8 or 9. We started him at 2 and he’s been great at 2. It’s a big addition to our lineup. He’s fit right in.” 

Rizzi said that Cassese has also been well respected by his new teammates. 

“They took him right in,” Rizzi said. “He impressed the older guys right away. He has talent. He has good work ethic. He loves to play. He fits right in with this team.” 

“They’re a great group of guys,” Cassese said. “I love being here.”
And the Scarlet Raiders love having Cassese, considering he was named as both the New Jersey Athletic Conference and the East Coast Athletic Conference Metro Player of the Week for his offensive explosion out in California. 

Cassese added another honor to his resume last Thursday. He was selected as the NCAA Division III National Hitter of the Week for the third week of the 2010 season covering games of March 15-22. The selection was made by a panel of D-III members of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. 

“I definitely didn’t expect any of this at all,” Cassese said. “I just wanted to help this team. I just hope I can keep it going. I’m hitting the ball and making good contact. I don’t worry about a lot of things. I just want to play and have fun.” 

Cassese is majoring in criminal justice with the hopes of possibly becoming a police officer in the future. 

“Let’s see what happens,” Cassese said. “Right now, I’m having fun playing here. It’s been a lot of fun.”