America East Baseball News & Notes: Summer Heat, Hot Stove

While the calendar may say July, the America East Conference is still making plenty of noise on the diamond. From players signing pro deals with Major League Baseball organizations and partner leagues to a major coaching shakeup, the league remains active well into the offseason.

UMBC Launches Coaching Search as Liam Bowen Departs for Towson

The biggest off-the-field news comes out of Baltimore, where UMBC is officially looking for a new head baseball coach. Liam Bowen left the Retrievers after seven seasons at the helm to accept the head coaching position at crosstown rival Towson University.

Bowen spent 15 years total with the UMBC program, originally joining in 2012 as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator before being promoted to head coach in 2019. He was part of the staff when the Retrievers won the America East title in 2017.

Highlights of Bowen’s tenure include:

• 2026 America East Coach of the Year: Earned the honor this past spring—UMBC’s first head coach to win the award since 2015.
• Strong Finish: Led the Retrievers to a 29–24 record and the #2 seed in the postseason conference tournament.
• Consistent Winning: Guided UMBC to at least 27 wins in three of the last four seasons.

Speaking on the move, Bowen noted that “it’s time for a new challenge,” hoping Towson will provide that next chapter. Meanwhile, UMBC has launched a national search to find his successor.

Bryant’s Casey Wensley Signs Pro Contract with the Angels

On the player front, Bryant University first baseman/outfielder Casey Wensley signed a free agent deal with the Los Angeles Angels.

Though Wensley spent just one season in Smithfield after transferring, his impact was immediate. He started all 52 games for the Bulldogs and put together a dominant offensive campaign:

• Batting Stats: Hit .319 with 14 doubles, 5 triples, 33 RBIs, and 57 runs scored.
• Speed on the Bases: Stole 30 bases on 32 attempts, becoming only the second player in Bryant’s Division I era to reach the 30-steal mark in a single season.
• Elite Plate Discipline: Struck out just 17 times in 204 at-bats, ranking among the top 15 toughest players to strike out in the nation.
• Conference Play: Raised his game against America East foes with a .330 average, a .466 on-base percentage, and 28 runs scored.

Over his three-year collegiate career (including two seasons at Wheaton College), Wensley hit .347 across 600 plate appearances, compiling 178 hits, 35 doubles, 126 runs, 44 stolen bases, 95 RBIs, and just 56 strikeouts.

UAlbany Pitching Duo Heads to Independent and Showcase Ball

The UAlbany Great Danes saw two of their standout pitchers land professional opportunities in independent and showcase leagues.

1. Dylan Banner — Gastonia Ghost Peppers (Atlantic League)

Senior right-hander Dylan Banner officially signed with the Gastonia Ghost Peppers of the Atlantic League, an official MLB Partner League.

Banner made history this spring by becoming the first player in UAlbany history to be named America East Pitcher of the Year. Serving as the Great Danes’ Friday night ace, Banner posted:

• 13 starts with 3 complete games.
• A 3.94 ERA over 80.0 innings pitched.
• A team-leading 63 strikeouts.

2. Matthew Mariano — Williamsport Crosscutters (MLB Draft League)

Reliever Matthew Mariano signed with the Williamsport Crosscutters in the MLB Draft League—a premier showcase run by Major League Baseball for top draft-eligible and rising prospects.

Mariano was a crucial arm out of the Great Danes’ bullpen this spring, posting a conference-best 3.41 ERA while striking out 41 batters over 63.1 innings. He has carried that momentum straight to Williamsport:

• Record & ERA: 2–0 with a 1.42 ERA through his first 5 relief appearances (12.2 IP).
• Control & Strikeouts: Allowed just 2 earned runs on 5 hits while picking up 8 strikeouts and a save.

Summary of Key Moves