Our Coaching Staff

Jerry DeFabbia is a Co-Owner of Team Crush Baseball and Rise and Grind Training, serving as our Head Coach and Director of College Recruiting. He leads our program with a focus on both on-field excellence and maximizing collegiate opportunities for our athletes.

Coach DeFabbia brings over 20 years of coaching experience, including 18 years at the collegiate level (most recently with Fordham University and previously as Head Coach at Fairleigh Dickinson University for 6 years). He also has 7 years of high school coaching experience. His extensive network and expertise have helped over 400 players reach the college level and over 70 sign professional contracts. He provides personalized guidance to help athletes find the ideal academic and athletic fit.

As a player, DeFabbia was an All-NEC shortstop at Fairleigh Dickinson (.408 batting average in 1992) before playing four years of professional baseball. During his pro career, he won two league championships and served as a player-coach in his final season.

Coach DeFabbia holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson and a master's in special education from City College of New York.

Daniel Galati is the part owner and Director of Baseball Operations and Player Development at Team Crush Baseball and Rise and Grind Training. He has over 15 years of baseball coaching experience.

He is passionate about empowering athletes to reach their full potential. He has created a comprehensive player development program that includes a player development continuum and a robust assessment program encompassing performance, arm strength, and hitting. He is dedicated to bringing the latest training technologies and methodologies directly to the Team Crush Baseball program. This dedication ensures players receive cutting-edge development opportunities.

He has a wealth of industry certifications to support his continued learning and staying current with the latest training trends. His certifications include:

• Babe Ruth/Ripken Baseball Coach Education
• Driveline Foundations of Hitting
• Driveline Youth Baseball Development
• Driveline Foundations of Strength
• Blast Motion Hitting
• Rapsodo Hitting and Pitching
• ArmCare.com Specialist
• ArmCare.com Biochemist
• Speed and Agility
• EBUA Baseball Umpire
• OnBaseU Hitting
• OnBaseU Pitching

A key aspect of Daniel's role involves creating an integrated player development program that combines advanced technology, proven training techniques, and a keen understanding of the game.

Coach Piccolino gives his “heart and soul” to the game and to the athletes that he coaches. He has been coaching for the past twenty years and has been instrumental in helping several athletes move on and play in Division I, II and III baseball programs.

Coach Piccolino was the pitching coach for Iona Prep Varsity Baseball Team. He is also the pitching coordinator for the Iona Prep baseball program. Coach Piccolino led the JV to a City Championship in 2014 and moved up to the varsity staff in 2015. He works with the pitching staff and also helps the team with defense. Coach Piccolino is a Mount Saint Michael graduate and attended St. John’s University and Fairleigh Dickerson University, where he played baseball at both schools. He was also the pitching coach at FDU and Concordia College.

Coach Piccolini is currently the Assistant Coach at Monroe University.

Orlando Encarnacion brings a wealth of professional baseball experience to our program, having dedicated a decade to the New York Mets organization. From 1997 to 2007, Orlando demonstrated his passion and skill across various levels of the Mets' farm system. His journey included stops at:

• Kingsport Mets
• Pittsfield Mets
• Capital City Bombers
• Berkshire Black Bears
• Allentown Ambassadors
• New Haven County Cutters
• Brockton Rox

Following his playing career, Orlando transitioned seamlessly into coaching, sharing his knowledge and expertise with the next generation of athletes. He served as the Head Coach at Cardinal Hayes High School, where he provided leadership and guidance to aspiring baseball players.

Orlando's experience as a player within a respected MLB organization, coupled with his coaching experience at the high school level, makes him a valuable asset to our program. He brings a unique perspective and a deep understanding of player development, making him well-equipped to guide athletes in their pursuit of baseball excellence.

Claude Balliet is a highly respected baseball coach with a proven track record of developing players and building successful programs. Since 2006, Claude has been an integral part of the New Rochelle High School baseball program, serving as an assistant coach and contributing significantly to the team's success.

In 2023, Claude's dedication and leadership were recognized when he was appointed Head Coach of the New Rochelle High School baseball team. His impact was immediate, as he earned the prestigious Section 1 Class C Coach of the Year award in his first season at the helm. This recognition underscores his ability to lead, motivate, and develop players at a high level.  

Claude's extensive experience, combined with his proven ability to lead and develop players, makes him a valuable asset to our program. He brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to fostering a positive and developmental environment for all athletes.

Richie Benes serves as our Hitting Coordinator at Team Crush Baseball and Rise and Grind Training, bringing decades of exceptional expertise.

Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 1996 MLB Draft, Richie transitioned his deep playing knowledge into a distinguished coaching career. He is currently a Minor League Hitting Coach for the New York Mets, a role he began with their Dominican Academy in 2019.

His extensive coaching background also includes collegiate experience at University of Bridgeport, Monroe College, and Saint Peter's University, as well as with the Danbury Westerners (NECBL).

At Team Crush, Richie utilizes his proven techniques and professional-level insights to provide our athletes with top-tier hitting instruction, making him an invaluable asset to our player development program.

Currently, Richie serves as a Minor League Hitting Coach for the New York Mets, further solidifying his position as a highly respected hitting instructor.  

Nicolas Blanco brings a unique blend of collegiate and professional baseball experience to our program.

He had a successful college career at SUNY Cortland, where he was named the Most Outstanding Player at the NCAA Division III Baseball Regionals.

His professional journey included playing for independent teams and in the Mexican League, which led to tryouts and time in the Kansas City Royals' rookie ball program. During this time, he played alongside future MLB stars, gaining firsthand exposure to the highest levels of the game.

Nicolas's well-rounded playing background provides a wealth of knowledge and a passion for helping our athletes achieve their full potential.

Phil Schnorr brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of player development to our program.

He played collegiate baseball at Mercy College (1995-1998), serving as team captain for two seasons. His professional playing career included stints with the Albany Diamond Dogs and River City Rascals.

Phil's extensive coaching career spans various levels:

• Mercy College Assistant Coach (1998-2000)
• Head Varsity Coach at The Master School (2000-2002)
• Head Coach for Pro Swing Baseball (13U-18U) (2004-2024)
• Assistant Varsity Coach at Horace Greeley High School (2020-2024)
• Catching Coordinator at Pro Swing Baseball Training Facility.

His coaching accomplishments are significant, including guiding 5 players to Major League Baseball and over 20 players to professional contracts. He has also successfully placed numerous players in prominent collegiate leagues.

Phil's comprehensive background and proven ability to develop players make him a valuable asset to our program.

As a baseball coach with years of experience in developing successful baseball programs, Vinny DeMaria Sr. provides invaluable insight to our organization. Currently, he is the head baseball coach for Iona Prep's JV team. Previously, he was the baseball coach at Woodlands High School for 17 years.

DeMaria also served as an assistant coach at Concordia College, gaining valuable experience in collegiate baseball.

Coach DeMaria's extensive coaching experience at both the high school and collegiate levels, coupled with his own successful collegiate playing career, provides him with a deep understanding of player development and the intricacies of the game. He is dedicated to fostering a positive and developmental environment for all athletes.

Coach Mark Moccia is an experienced baseball coach with a proven commitment to player development.

He currently serves on the coaching staff at Iona Preparatory School, where he has been a valuable asset for the past four years. Mark also brings over 12 years of experience coaching travel baseball across various age groups.

Mark's playing career includes lettering in baseball at Iona Preparatory School and playing at Concordia College. His dedication and talent were recognized when he was drafted in the 26th round by the Detroit Tigers in 2000.

His combined experience as a player (high school, college, professional draft) and extensive coaching background provide him with a unique and comprehensive perspective on player development. He is committed to helping athletes achieve their full potential.

Jack Keenan is the facility coordinator for Team Crush Baseball. Prior to coaching, Jack played and graduated from Iona Prep in 2019 and went on to play Division 1 baseball at Marist College for 5 years. He also played for 2 teams in the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) as well as the Crush College Team during summers of his collegiate career. 

Jack has coached 3 seasons with the organization and has now taken on a larger role. He will oversee all aspects of pitching within the organization and use his recent playing experience to develop our pitchers using the newest drills and strategies taught at the collegiate level. 

Jack is also the JV pitching coach at Iona Prep and will oversee the organization’s social media platforms. He will also be working with athletes and their families in our recruiting services as well.

Coach James Galati brings high-level playing experience, dedicated coaching expertise, and a strong academic foundation to Team Crush Baseball. A former standout collegiate player, James played collegiate baseball for four years at Dean College. He proudly served as team captain during his final two years.

Coach James Galati has been coaching with Team Crush since 2022 and has played a pivotal role in the comprehensive development of hitters and catchers across the entire organization.

As a graduate of Dean College, James also has a Bachelor's Degree in Athletic Coaching and Recreation Management. This specialized education provides him with a robust understanding of sport-specific training principles, holistic athlete development, and cutting-edge performance-based coaching strategies. Furthermore, James brings four years of baseball coaching experience from Around the Horn baseball camp, where he honed his skills and guided young players.

Coach James Galati is dedicated to fostering on-field excellence and personal growth, empowering players to maximize their potential.