LIU’s Exposito, Loeschorn go in MLB Draft

Shortstop and staff ace selected by Braves and Pirates

July 21, 2022 John Torenli, Sports Editor

From LIU to the Atlanta Braves' organization, shortstop E.J. Exposito is dremaing of a career in the big leagues after this week's MLB Draft. Photo courtesy of LIU Athletics

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After pacing Long Island University to the most wins in program history and a berth in the NCAA Regionals, shortstop E.J. Exposito and right-handed hurler Joshua Loeschorn are off to pursue their big league dreams.

Exposito was drafted in the 16th round (485th overall) by the Atlanta Braves in the MLB Draft Tuesday and Loeschorn was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 20th round (590th overall).

The tandem played a pivotal role in helping the Sharks rack up 37 victories, eclipsing the mark of 31 established in 2018.

LIU also won its second Northeast Conference championship in four years before bowing out to Maryland and Wake Forest in the regionals ahead of the College World Series.

Exposito proved the most durable of the Sharks, playing every inning and batting in the No. 3 hole in LIU’s formidable lineup. The All-NEC Second Team selection belted 13 homers in his final year with the Sharks, tying him for third all-time in a single season in program history.

Loeschorn, the undisputed ace of the LIU staff, logged 11 wins for the Sharks, just one shy of Sal Campisi’s program record, set in 1964.

“Seeing Josh and EJ selected in the MLB draft is a great day for our program,” LIU baseball coach Dan Pirillo said.

“Both players started off their careers at the Division II level and made the most of their opportunities. I’m proud of both of these young men and thankful for all they gave us here at LIU. I know they both have their best days ahead of them.”

Exposito and Loeschorn became the first pair of LIU players chosen in the same MLB Draft since 1994, when Rich Hartmann and Matt Leach were taken in the 28th round by the St. Louis Cardinals and Minnesota Twins, respectively.

Exposito, a Long Island native, played both middle infield positions for the Trenton Thunder this summer in the MLB Draft League.

In 106 career games between LIU and New York Tech, he batted a combined .275 with 22 homers and 81 RBIs.

Loeschorn, who hails from New Jersey, began his career at LIU Post. He graduated summa cum laude with a 3.91 GPA and bachelor of science degree in computer science two months ago.

The NEC Pitcher of the Year and LIU’s staff ace, Joshua Loeschorn has been selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the annual MLB Draft. Photo courtesy of LIU Athletics

Exposito and Loeschorn are the second and third players selected in the MLB draft under Pirillo. They join Andrew Turner, who was drafted by the Miami Marlins in both 2017 and 2018, which was the last time the Sharks reached the NCAAs.

“Being drafted by the Braves in the 16th round means the world to me,” Exposito said. “This has been my dream since I first started playing baseball at the age of 6. I’ve been working so hard and so long for this moment. And for my name to be called today, no words can describe the feelings that I have.”

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Over at St. Francis Brooklyn, Justin Beaumont was elevated to head coach of the men’s volleyball team and will serve as an assistant for the women’s squad on Remsen Street.

The Bayonne, N.J., native, who served as women’s head coach and men’s assistant at his alma mater New Jersey City University, was serving as a volunteer assistant for the Terriers’ women’s team before his promotion.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to return to a head-coaching position in Division I athletics and thrilled the opportunity is at St. Francis Brooklyn,” said Beaumont.

“I have a great amount to offer the Terriers’ men’s volleyball program and I look forward to the opportunity to continue building on the foundation that has been set while preparing the current team for competition in the Northeast Conference.”

Justin Beaumont is the new head coach of the St. Francis Brooklyn men’s volleyball program as well as an assistant on the women’s staff. Photo courtesy of SFC Brooklyn Athletics

Beaumont worked alongside the school’s Director of Volleyball Amiable Martinez since 2019.

“Working alongside Justin for more than a decade, I am fully confident he is the right coach to lead our men’s volleyball program, said Martinez.

“He has been a major asset to the women’s team and I look forward to his impact on both of our programs.”

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Brooklyn College announced last week that Agathangelos Tsantsaridis will be the new head coach of the Bulldogs’ women’s soccer program.

Tsantsaridis won back-to-back CUNYAC championships as assistant head coach at John Jay College, where he had been elevated to associate head coach before his arrival in Brooklyn.

“We are very happy to be able to bring a coach like Agath on board who was on a staff that built a championship caliber program,” BC Athletic Director Bruce Filosa noted.

“He is very familiar with the conference and we are excited about the future of the women’s soccer program with him at the helm.”

The native of Greece would like to take the Bulldogs to the Division III NCAA Tournament after helping John Jay reach the national championships in 2020.

“It is a tremendous honor and I am humbled to be selected as the next head women’s soccer coach at Brooklyn College,” Tsantsaridis said. “I am extremely excited to build a program for years to come with the potential that Brooklyn College offers.”

The Bulldogs will kick off their 2022 campaign with Tsantsaridis at the helm on Sept. 1 at Sarah Lawrence College.