River Hawks Add Two to Baseball Coaching Staff
10/1/2026 10:15:00 AM | Baseball
LOWELL, Mass. – The UMass Lowell baseball team added two members to its coaching staff, Head Coach Nick Barese announced Thursday. The River Hawks brought back former player Joseph DeLanzo as an assistant coach and added Patrick Santorella in the same role.
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"Our staff is thrilled to welcome Pat and Joe as assistant coaches," Barese said. "Pat will oversee the hitters and outfielders, while Joe will assist with the hitters and coach the infielders."
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Santorella joins UMass Lowell after both coaching and playing for Wheaton. He served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for five seasons with the Lyons following a four-year career there.
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During his time coaching at Wheaton, Santorella led the Lyons to a 146-67 record and two NEWMAC Championships. In 2022 and 2023, he helped the team win back-to-back conference championships. 2023 saw Wheaton go 42-9 and advance to the NCAA DIII Super Regional Round.
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"Pat has a great resume both as a player and coach in his time at Wheaton, and he is a tireless recruiter," Barese said. "Throughout the interview process, it became clear that Pat was the right choice for the role and I have no doubt he will make our players better."
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As a player with the Lyons, Santorella hit .284 across 36 career games. He worked his way into a starting role as a senior, starting 26 games towards the end of the season.
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After wrapping up the last two seasons of his playing career with the River Hawks, Joe DeLanzo stays in the Mill City as an assistant coach. DeLanzo hit .269 in 77 games with UMass Lowell and was the toughest player in the nation to strike out last season. He also played two seasons at Stony Brook, appearing in 23 games.
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"Joe comes to us after a very successful career as a River Hawk player," Barese said. "He was a captain during his final season and was a mainstay in our lineup at third base. He's incredibly enthusiastic about the opportunity to step into coaching, and has already shown a relentless work ethic."
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The new-look coaching staff is set to get its feet wet with game action, as fall ball starts at noon on Saturday, October 3, against SNHU.
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"Our staff is thrilled to welcome Pat and Joe as assistant coaches," Barese said. "Pat will oversee the hitters and outfielders, while Joe will assist with the hitters and coach the infielders."
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Santorella joins UMass Lowell after both coaching and playing for Wheaton. He served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for five seasons with the Lyons following a four-year career there.
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During his time coaching at Wheaton, Santorella led the Lyons to a 146-67 record and two NEWMAC Championships. In 2022 and 2023, he helped the team win back-to-back conference championships. 2023 saw Wheaton go 42-9 and advance to the NCAA DIII Super Regional Round.
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"Pat has a great resume both as a player and coach in his time at Wheaton, and he is a tireless recruiter," Barese said. "Throughout the interview process, it became clear that Pat was the right choice for the role and I have no doubt he will make our players better."
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As a player with the Lyons, Santorella hit .284 across 36 career games. He worked his way into a starting role as a senior, starting 26 games towards the end of the season.
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After wrapping up the last two seasons of his playing career with the River Hawks, Joe DeLanzo stays in the Mill City as an assistant coach. DeLanzo hit .269 in 77 games with UMass Lowell and was the toughest player in the nation to strike out last season. He also played two seasons at Stony Brook, appearing in 23 games.
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"Joe comes to us after a very successful career as a River Hawk player," Barese said. "He was a captain during his final season and was a mainstay in our lineup at third base. He's incredibly enthusiastic about the opportunity to step into coaching, and has already shown a relentless work ethic."
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The new-look coaching staff is set to get its feet wet with game action, as fall ball starts at noon on Saturday, October 3, against SNHU.
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