Joe Witkowski joined the NCCU Baseball staff in 2014 as Pitching Coach after spending a season at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. At CGA, Witkowski was in charge of the pitching staff.
Witkowski enjoyed a stellar career at St. John’s University where he played a role in three Big East Championship seasons for the Red Storm. Following his career at SJU, he signed a free agent contract with the Houston Astros. In 2013, he signed with the Washington Nationals as a pitcher and attended spring training before injuries ended his career. Joseph Witkowski graduated from St. John’s with a degree in sport management in 2011.
College Career - St. John's University (2007-2011)
As a Redshirt Senior (2011)
Played in 51 games, including 44 starts. Batted .246 with six doubles and 22 RBIs in his redshirt senior season. Threw out 19 base stealers in his final year at St. John’s. Went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored on Opening Day Feb. 18 against Minnesota. On March 26, went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored. In a three-game series against Georgetown from May 13-15, went 6-for-13 (.461) with three RBI and a double. The Red Storm finished 36-22, 18-8 in Big East good enough for second place, while earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament. SJU beat the second-seeded Pirates of East Carolina in the first game of the Charlottesville Regional before dropping the next two games.
As a Redshirt Junior (2010)
Played in 53 games, including 45 starts. Batted .220 with five doubles and eight RBI. Threw out 37.7 percent (20-of-53) of base stealers. Went 2-for-4 with a run scored against then-No. 18 Connecticut (May 30) in the BIG EAST Tournament championship game. Was 2-for-3 with two runs scored at Boston College (May 18). Had two RBI as part of a 1-for-3 day at the plate at Notre Dame (May 2). Had an RBI and went 2-for-4 against Georgetown (April 24) ... scored two runs and went 2-for-4 against LIU (March 31). Was 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored against Columbia (March 24). Went 2-for-2 with a pair of walks at then-No. 11 North Carolina (March 10).
As a Redshirt Sophomore (2009)
Appeared in 28 games and made 19 starts. Batted .357 with six doubles, four triples and 12 RBI. Posted a .423 on-base percentage. Threw out 32.0 percent (8-of-25) base stealers. Went 1-for-3 with an RBI double against Louisville (May 9). Was 1-for-3 with an RBI triple at Seton Hall (May 2). Had two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate against FDU (April 29). Was 1-for-2 with a triple and two RBI at Fordham (April 22). Had a home run and two RBI against Cincinnati (April 18). Went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored against Wagner (April 7). Scored two runs and went 2-for-4 at the plate against Rutgers (April 4). Went 2-for-4 with two runs scored at Hofstra (March 18). Scored two runs and went 2-for-3 with a walk against Albany (March 15). Went 2-for-5 with an RBI, a double and a run scored at Utah Valley (March 10). Was 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored versus Penn State (Feb. 20).
As a Redshirt Freshman (2008)
Played 27 games, including 20 starts. Went 1-for-2 with a double and two runs scored against Hofstra (April 16). Finished 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored against Columbia (March 25). Went 2-for-4 with an RBI against Fairfield (March 15). Had a game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning to cap a 2-for-4 game against LIU (March 12). Combined to go 4-for-9 with three RBI, a home run and a double at Cal St. Northridge (March 8). Went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored against Kent State (Feb. 28). Finished 2-for-4 with an RBI at Winthrop (Feb. 24). Had a home run, two RBI and three runs scored against Gardner-Webb (Feb. 23) in collegiate debut.
Personal
Joseph Matthew Eagan Witkowski. Born in Middletown, Conn. He is the son of Jim and Laurie Witkowski. Has an older sister, Jessica. Lists his grandfather, John G. Rinato, as the person he most admires. Majored in sport management.
