A.J. Battisto enters his fifth season as an assistant coach and the third with North Carolina Central University. Battisto will be serving as the team's top assistant coach and working primarily with the pitchers.
In his first two years at NCCU there has been National Top-5 statistical leaders and multiple seasonal and career records broken. Andrew Vernon nestled his way into four top-10 single season records including number one in K/9 with 12.34 and most strikeouts with 85. Vernon’s K/9 ranked him 5th in the nation in 2016. Justice Sampson made his way into the top-10 single season record books when he appeared in 28 games in 2016, beating the old record set by Vernon in 2015. NCCU’s top career list also made a dent when Andrew Vernon, Chris Gonnelli, and Devin Sweet landed in the top-3 respectively in K/9. Sweet is also the active career wins’ leader at NCCU with 13.
2016 saw Andrew Vernon garner First Team All-MEAC as well as becoming the first Eagle to be drafted out of NCCU in the 28th Round of the 2016 MLB Draft. Jamie Dey received Second Team Utility as both a C/DH/RHP and Alex Dandridge being placed on the Third Team All-MEAC. Andrew Vernon received both Pitcher of the Week and Pitcher of the Month in 2016, while Chris Gonnelli received the weekly honor once. In 2017 Devin Sweet finished in the MEAC top-5 in ERA, opponent’s batting average, and in runs allowed.
At the University of New Orleans, Battisto worked with both the pitchers and catchers. He took over a pitching staff that previously had a team ERA of 7.25 and over his two years spent at UNO his staff lowered the team ERA to an average of 4.82. The staff also tallied over 30 pick-offs in two seasons, more than the five previous seasons combined. He also coached Alex Smith into the UNO record books. Smith graduated and ended his career in several top-10 categories, including innings pitched, total starts, and pickoffs.
The catching staff also saw major improvements as both catchers were in the top-5 in the Southland Conference with total runners thrown out. The catching duo both threw out more than 40% of baserunners.
In Battisto’s first recruiting class he saw Kevin Kelleher go in the 12th round of the MLB draft. Kelleher was the highest Privateer selected since 2008. Shawn Semple a freshman RHP received Player of the week and Freshman Player of the week honors during the 2015 season. After posting a complete game four-hit shutout, Semple was the first honoree of this award since 2008 and the first since joining the Southland Conference. Semple was also named the Collegesportsmadness.com Southland Player of the week award. Semple signed after his Junior year in 11th Round to the New York Yankees.
Battisto brings a wealth of experience to North Carolina Central University, having spent seven years pitching in the minor leagues, including three separate tours of duty with the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs. He also played professionally in the Puerto Rico Professional Baseball League.
The native of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, appeared in 167 games during his career, posting a 21-10 record with a 3.62 ERA and nine saves. Battisto’s career accolades include a 2008 South Atlantic League All-Star selection during a season in which the pitcher posted an 8-1 record with a 1.55 ERA over 49 appearances. During that same year he was named the Pitcher of the Year for his South Atlantic Team, Greensboro Grasshoppers.
The right-handed pitcher initially began his career at the professional level after being selected in the 30th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft out of Georgia Southern.
While at GSU, Battisto played for head coach Rodney Hennon and graduated with a perfect 12-0 record over three years. He left school ranked first in winning percentage for pitchers with at least 10 wins and the 92 appearances during his three years in Statesboro, Georgia, ranks him tied for second in school history.
A second-team All-Southern Conference selection in 2007, Battisto added 12 saves during his collegiate career, including 10 in his final season. The double-digit save total ranks amongst the top ten all-time best relief efforts for an Eagle. Battisto was recently inducted into the Tri- County PA Sports Hall of FAME October 14,2017.
Battisto currently holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Georgia Southern and earned a Master of Education degree from the University of Phoenix.
Battisto married the former Brandy McNeal in October 2012 and the couple resides in Durham, North Carolina.
