Lehigh University’s baseball program is gearing up for the 2027 season with the addition of 13 new student‑athletes, a move announced by head coach Sean Leary, who is entering his 32nd year at the helm.
A Diverse Incoming Class
The incoming class blends fresh talent and transfer experience, featuring eleven first‑year players and two transfers, and spans seven different states.
Coach Leary emphasized the breadth of talent, noting that the recruits hail from Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, underscoring a geographically diverse pool.
Among the newcomers, Michael Basile from Mountainside, New Jersey, stands out as a two‑time Group II state champion and a member of the National Honors Society, highlighting the academic as well as athletic caliber of the class.
CJ Chatterton, an infielder from Rockville, Maryland, brings All‑State First Team honors and ODAC Rookie of the Year recognition, while Toby Harris of Brooklyn, New York, arrives as a three‑time league champion and former team captain.
Pitcher Austin Havertine from Radnor, Pennsylvania, boasts the most decorated high school pitching record in his hometown and earned three all‑league selections, adding a strong arm to the rotation.
Cody Herman of Wyckoff, New Jersey, also combines athletic prowess with academic distinction, being a two‑time first‑team All‑League pick and National Honors Society member.
The class includes Carson Kelm from Pasadena, Maryland, who was an All‑MIAA Conference honorable mention and Business Club president at Mount Saint Joseph, and Luke Mahoney, a right‑handed pitcher from Darien, Connecticut, who was named a Rawlings Perfect Game Preseason All‑American.
Other notable names include Michael Olender, an outfielder from Flemington, New Jersey, ranked No. 5 in the state’s Class of 2025 by Perfect Game, and Drew Patton from Herndon, Virginia, who led his high school to its first Liberty District championship in 24 years.
Petros Rouggeris of Oradell, New Jersey, brings both scholarly and athletic accolades as an Aquinas Scholar, while Gavin Ruta of Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, served as a four‑year varsity starter and key player for the Philly Bandits travel team.
Darien Serrano, a pitcher from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, earned first‑team All‑Conference honors and captured the Freedom Hitter award, and Sawyer Tipton from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, was a first‑team All‑State selection and Continental League Pitcher of the Year.
Beyond athletic achievements, many of the recruits maintain strong academic records, reflecting Lehigh’s commitment to developing student‑athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom.
Coach Leary expressed confidence that the new class will strengthen the program’s competitiveness and continue the university’s tradition of excellence in collegiate baseball.