MANCHESTER, N.H. – Southern New Hampshire University baseball coach Scott Loiseau has announced his resignation to accept a position as an assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Oklahoma, SNHU Director of Athletics Anthony Fallacaro announced Thursday. Fallacaro also announced that current assistant coaches Pat Austin and Chris Shank will serve as interim co-head coaches for the upcoming 2015 season, with the University conducting a national search for a permanent replacement following the season.
"I want to thank Scott for his efforts the past six seasons as he built our baseball program into one of the top programs regionally and nationally, and wish him luck in his new role," said Fallacaro. "I am confident that Pat and Chris, each having been around the program, will continue our strong tradition on the diamond this spring."
Named the sixth head coach in Penmen baseball history in June of 2008, Loiseau took a program that struggled mightily before his arrival and built it into one of the nation's elite. In six seasons, Loiseau compiled a 176-121-2 (.592) career record, including a 119-48 (.713) mark over the past three seasons. The Penmen have qualified for and hosted the NCAA East Regional in each of the past three seasons, winning the regional in 2012 and earning a berth in the Division II College World Series. The Penmen also won the Northeast-10 regular season and tournament titles in 2014.
A two-time regional coach of the year and the NE-10 Coach of the Year last season, Loiseau has coached a total of seven players who were selected in the Major League Baseball draft. Two more players inked free agent contracts with MLB organizations, while several other players have gone on to play in the independent ranks.
Austin (left) is in his third season with the Penmen program, having joined as an assistant prior to the 2013 season. Prior to his arrival at SNHU, he was a member of the staff at Saint Anselm College, helping to guide the Hawks to an NCAA berth in 2012. From 2007-11 Austin served as the head coach of the New Hampshire Hammerheads club program, winning several championships. A 2005 graduate of Keene State College, Austin was a four-year varsity player and two-year captain. In the summer of 2003 he played for the Brighton Buccaneers of the Rawlings National League, the premier baseball league in England.
Shank (right) is in his seventh season at SNHU, having served as an assistant coach since
prior to the 2009 season. Prior to his arrival at SNHU he was an assistant coach at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. A three-year member of the baseball program at Franklin Pierce University, Shank was the Northeast-10 Pitcher of the Year as a junior before getting drafted in the 23rd round of the 2002 MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics. After four seasons in the A's organization, Shank spent three seasons with the Worcester Tornadoes of the Can-Am League. In 201 career professional appearances, Shank compiled a 21-18 record and 3.78 ERA.
SNHU, ranked as high as No. 23 nationally in preseason polls, opens the 2015 season the weekend of Feburary 13-15 with a three-game set at Nova Southeastern University. The Penmen home opener is slated for Wednesday, March 25 when Southern New Hampshire welcomes in-state rival Franklin Pierce University at 3:00.
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FOR TRANSACTIONS
Southern New Hampshire – Announced the resignation of Scott Loiseau, head baseball coach. Named Pat Austin and Chris Shank interim co-head coaches for the 2015 season.
