Lehigh University Athletics
Leary promotes AJ Miller to Associate Head Coach; Nalesnik added to staff
2/16/2022 7:24:00 AM | Baseball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – 27th-year Peter E. Bennett '63 Head Baseball Coach Sean Leary has announced a couple of coaching moves for the 2022 season on Wednesday afternoon. Longtime assistant AJ Miller has been promoted to Associate Head Coach in addition to his recruiting coordinator duties and one of the best offensive players in program history, Jacen Nalesnik '17 has been named an assistant coach for the upcoming campaign.
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Miller has done wonders for a Lehigh baseball program whom he joined back in 2016. He helped lead the Mountain Hawks to one of their best seasons in program history in 2021, earning the program's third-ever Patriot League Regular Season title and first one outright, while also claiming the No. 1 seed in the Patriot League Tournament. Gerard Sweeney led the Patriot League in home runs (7) while finishing tied for first in the league as a team with 28 homers throughout the year.
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"Coach Miller's dedication and contributions to our program have been exemplary. He has earned this promotion," said Leary. "AJ's passion for recruiting and developing student athletes has Lehigh baseball on an exciting upward trajectory. I am very excited to continue to build this program with AJ as the associate head coach."
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A star outfielder for the Mountain Hawks over four years from 2014 to 2017, Nalesnik's name is littered across the program record book. On career leaderboards, he ranks third in at-bats (702), third in hits (218), second in home runs (22), sixth in RBIs (123) and fifth in runs (140).
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Nalesnik is a two-time All-Patriot League selection, earning first team honors during his senior season. Also during that season, he earned ABCA All-East Region honors on the second team and was an All-ECAC First Team selection. He led the Patriot League in home runs (13) and slugging percentage (.606) and ranked second in runs (53). His 13 homers are tied for the single-season program record.
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In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Nalesnik was a two-time Academic All-Patriot League selection while studying history. Since his graduation, he has been a teacher at the Commonwealth Charter Academy, as well as the Lehighton School District, where Nalesnik grew up.
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"It is very exciting to bring one of our most accomplished student-athletes back to campus," Leary said. "Jacen understands and embraces our team culture and he will have an immediate impact with our outfielders and assisting Coach Miller with our offense."
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The Mountain Hawks open the 2022 season Friday at Davidson in the first of a three-game series, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. at Wilson Field.
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Like Lehigh Baseball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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Miller has done wonders for a Lehigh baseball program whom he joined back in 2016. He helped lead the Mountain Hawks to one of their best seasons in program history in 2021, earning the program's third-ever Patriot League Regular Season title and first one outright, while also claiming the No. 1 seed in the Patriot League Tournament. Gerard Sweeney led the Patriot League in home runs (7) while finishing tied for first in the league as a team with 28 homers throughout the year.
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"Coach Miller's dedication and contributions to our program have been exemplary. He has earned this promotion," said Leary. "AJ's passion for recruiting and developing student athletes has Lehigh baseball on an exciting upward trajectory. I am very excited to continue to build this program with AJ as the associate head coach."
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A star outfielder for the Mountain Hawks over four years from 2014 to 2017, Nalesnik's name is littered across the program record book. On career leaderboards, he ranks third in at-bats (702), third in hits (218), second in home runs (22), sixth in RBIs (123) and fifth in runs (140).
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Nalesnik is a two-time All-Patriot League selection, earning first team honors during his senior season. Also during that season, he earned ABCA All-East Region honors on the second team and was an All-ECAC First Team selection. He led the Patriot League in home runs (13) and slugging percentage (.606) and ranked second in runs (53). His 13 homers are tied for the single-season program record.
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In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Nalesnik was a two-time Academic All-Patriot League selection while studying history. Since his graduation, he has been a teacher at the Commonwealth Charter Academy, as well as the Lehighton School District, where Nalesnik grew up.
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"It is very exciting to bring one of our most accomplished student-athletes back to campus," Leary said. "Jacen understands and embraces our team culture and he will have an immediate impact with our outfielders and assisting Coach Miller with our offense."
Â
The Mountain Hawks open the 2022 season Friday at Davidson in the first of a three-game series, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. at Wilson Field.
Â
Like Lehigh Baseball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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Players Mentioned
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