WORCESTER, Mass. – Holy Cross head baseball coach Greg DiCenzo and director of athletics Nathan Pine have announced the addition of Matt Antonelli to the Crusaders' baseball coaching staff. Antonelli will serve as an assistant coach and work with the Crusaders' offense and also with recruiting efforts.

"I firmly believe that the hiring of Matt Antonelli, once again, is another step in solidifying our program within both the Patriot League and this region of the country," DiCenzo said. "To have a coach with Matt's unparalleled character, knowledge and experience joining the Crusader family, I could not be more excited for our players, our alumni and our entire athletic department."

Antonelli comes to Holy Cross after spending last season as an assistant baseball coach at Wake Forest. While with the Demon Deacons, he assisted with hitting instruction, infield play and base running. Antonelli also currently serves as the founder and manager of Antonelli Baseball LLC, where he is responsible for the education and development of youth baseball players. He manages and coaches three youth baseball teams and also provides private and group hitting instruction.  

Antonelli was selected 17th overall in the 2006 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the San Diego Padres after three years at Wake Forest. He was promoted to the major leagues on September 1, 2008 and played in 21 games with the Padres that season. Antonelli remained within the San Diego Padres organization through the 2010 season and played three more years as a minor league player in the Washington Nationals (2011), Baltimore Orioles (2012), New York Yankees (2012) and Cleveland Indians (2013) organizations. He was also selected in the 19th round of the 2003 MLB draft out of high school (St. John's Prep) by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

A native of Georgetown, Mass., Antonelli graduated from Wake Forest with a degree in Communication.

You can follow Holy Cross Athletics on Twitter @GoHolyCross as well as the baseball team @CrossBaseball.