RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Manhattan head baseball coach Kevin Leighton announced the receipt of four National Letters of Intent during the NCAA ‘s early signing period. High school seniors Nick Camastro (LaGrangeville, N.Y./Arlington), a 5’11” shortstop, Mike Gonzalez (Miami, Fla./Christopher Columbus), a 5’10” pitcher, Kyle Murphy (Waterbury, Conn./Holy Cross), a 6’3” shortstop, and John Soldinger (Bayshore, N.Y./Bayshore), a 6’2” pitcher, confirmed their decision to attend Manhattan College beginning next fall.
Camastro, a three-year starting shortstop at Arlington High School, helped guide the Admirals to the 2007 league championship by leading the team in stolen bases and runs scored. Camastro was also a member of the Hudson Valley team that won the gold medal at the 2008 Empire State Games. He played four years under head coach Bob Fletcher of the Taconic Rangers travel baseball team, participating in various national tournaments including the USA Baseball Junior Olympics, National Amateur Baseball Federation (NABF) World Series, Impact World Series and Perfect Game National Championships. Camastro is an active member of the Student Athletic Council and National Honor Society at Arlington.
“We are very excited that Nick will be joining us next year,” explained Leighton. “He is a very athletic middle infielder with good speed and a strong arm. We feel that he has the ability to help us right away with the graduation of Ryan Masters and Ruben Perez. Nick’s athletic ability is matched with his academic achievements, and we feel he will be very successful in our program.”
Gonzalez, a top-pitcher for head coach Joe Weber at Christopher Columbus High School, is a right hander who can have an immediate impact in the Jaspers rotation. As a junior, Gonzalez earned All-Dade Second Team honors after posting a 7-1 record, 1.44 earned run average and 54 strikeouts over 60 innings. A three year letterwinner, Gonzalez is a product of the same high school that produced Manhattan’s all-time hits leader Eric Nieto ’08 and current Jaspers Kevin Nieto and Ramon Ortega.
“Mike is another solid prospect from Christopher Columbus,” stated Leighton. He has a good fastball that has topped at 88 and two out-pitches in his change-up and slider. We are excited about Mike’s potential and feel that he will only get better as he develops physically.”
Murphy, a three year varsity starter at Holy Cross under head coach Mike Phelan, registered a .400 batting average, 18 RBI, seven doubles, three triples and a home run as a junior. On the mound, Murphy posted a 5-2 record, three saves and 2.16 ERA in 55 innings. He was named All-Naugatuck Valley League and All-City as a junior, while also receiving All-City honors as a sophomore. Murphy was selected to play in the Connecticut Junior All-Star Game last season. He played summer ball for the Waterbury Post #1 American Legion and participated in the Rawlings Futures Game. Murphy is a member of the National Honor Society and was named to the Republican-American All Academic Baseball Team as a junior.
“Kyle is a big strong kid and we are happy that he will be joining next fall,” said Leighton. “He has the ability to play anywhere in the infield, has a strong arm, and a solid bat. He has all the physical tools and we feel that he will only get better.” Kyle is also a very good student who we believe will be very successful at Manhattan.”
Soldinger, a local product from Bayshore, N.Y., played high school ball under head coach Dennis McManaway. As a junior the right-hander posted a 7-2 record, 1.21 ERA and was named All-League, All-County and Newsday All-Long Island Second Team. Soldinger participated in the 2008 Empire State games playing for Long Island. He is an active member of Bayshore High School’s Peer Support Committee.
“We are happy to have John join us next year,” Leighton stated. “He is a solid pitcher who throws strikes. John has shown the ability to throw an upper 80s fastball and has a very good out pitch in his curveball. We believe that he will do very well in our program.”
