College Baseball
Rider Hires 2 Assistant Coaches
LAWRENCEVILLE-Rider University head baseball coach Barry Davis has added two assistant coaches to his staff, Patrick Horvath of Warrington, PA and Ray Scipione of Hammonton, NJ.
"The addition of two quality people can only help our program," said Davis, who led the Broncs to back-to-back winning seasons in 2008 and 2009 for the first time since 1995-96 and to back-to-back post-season appearances. "They are excited to be here and we are excited to have them."
Horvath comes to Rider from Santa Fe High School (Fla), where he served as the head baseball coach last year. Horvath has also coached at San Diego Christian College, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Palm Beach Atlantic University.
"Pat brings a great deal of experience having coached at many levels, both as an assistant and head coach," said Davis, who has compiled 55 victories over the last two years at Rider. "He will work directly with our catchers and assist with our hitters. He will also direct our baseball camps. Our position play should improve behind the plate, which is very important to being a solid defensive team."
"I am excited about joining Coach Davis' staff and being part of a great educational institution like Rider University," Horvath said. "I look forward to helping in the continued success that Coach Davis has started here."
Horvath was a two-year starting catcher at Palm Beach Atlantic after two seasons at Faulkner State (AL) Community College.
Scipione comes to Rider from Delsea Regional High School, where he served as head coach the last three seasons and won the Tri-County Championship in 2007. He also coached at St. Joseph High School, where his squad won the C.A.L. Division 2 Championship in 2003, 2005 and 2006.
"Ray will bring seven years of high school head coaching experience to our program," Davis said. In those seven years Scipione compiled a 93-57 record, was the Atlantic City Press Coach of the Year in 2005 and also serves as head coach of the Tri-Cape Carpenter Cup team.
"It's been a goal of mine to coach at the Division 1 level and I can't wait to get started," Scipione said. "Coach Davis is one of the best in the country, and I know Rider has the type of program that can compete for a MAAC title and a Regional berth year-in and year-out. It's my job to help make sure that happens."
Scipione was a three-time All-Conference outfielder at Hammonton High School and helped the Bergen Beach Future Prospects team (Brooklyn, NY) win the National Championship. At Camden County College Scipione led the Mid-East Region with a .480 batting average in 1992 and went on to Elon University, where he batted .340. "Ray will work directly with our hitters and coach the outfielders," Davis said. "His success as a player and coach should translate into a solid foundation for our hitters."
Horvath and Scipione join Jaime Steward on the Bronc coaching staff. Steward is now in his second year as an assistant coach at Rider.
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