DI/MEAC/Baseball
NCCU Sports Information
DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University baseball head coach Jim Koerner has announced two additions to the coaching staff, A.J. Battisto and Neal Henry.
Koerner says he is looking forward to the impact the new assistant coaches can have on the program.
“We are very excited to have both Neal Henry and A.J. Battisto as a part of our coaching staff,” Koerner said. “Not only do they both bring great baseball experience to our program but they are both first class individuals. In making these hires I wanted to ensure there was an emphasis on the teaching and player development aspects of coaching, and I believe we have accomplished that.
“Coach Battisto will handle the pitching coach responsibilities as well as being involved with our recruiting efforts, while Coach Henry will primarily be working with the outfielders while handling the bulk of our recruiting coordination responsibilities.”
Battisto joins NCCU from the University of New Orleans where he was an assistant coach beginning in August 2014. During his time there he worked as a pitching and catching coach responsible for coaching techniques, skills and continual arm care, and also served as the head recruiting coordinator.
Prior to coaching at New Orleans, Battisto was a professional baseball player in the Miami Marlins organization from 2007 to 2013. He was drafted in the 30th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft, and was named to the 2008 Minor League All-Star game and was Team Pitcher of the Year that season in Low-A. He progressed as high as Triple-A in the 2013 season.
Battisto is a graduate of Georgia Southern University, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in secondary education.
Henry comes to NCCU after serving as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Palm Beach State College beginning in August 2013. Along with being the recruiting coordinator, he coached catchers and hitters and served as the third base coach.
Before coaching at Palm Beach State College, Henry was the head coach at Starkville Academy in Starkville, Mississippi from 2009 to 2013. He was able to lead that team to the championship series of the Mississippi Private School AAA Division 2 conference during his time there, and was named AAA South Baseball Coach of the Year in 2012. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Madison Ridgeland Academy in Madison, Mississippi in November 2008.
Henry is a graduate of Delta State University.
Corey Gross remains with the staff, and Troy Marrow joins as a student assistant.
“I am also pleased to announce that Troy Marrow will be staying on as part of the Eagle family as a student assistant coach,” Koerner said. “This has been something that we have talked about since I came to campus four years ago, when Troy was just a sophomore. Troy has all the qualities and attributes that will make for a very successful coaching career. He will be assisting me with the infielders as well as helping with the hitters and base running.
“Along with the return of Corey Gross for his fourth year, I believe we have all the pieces in place to help our student-athletes reach their personal and team goals.”