Providence, R.I.—Rhode Island College Head Baseball Coach Cody Kauffman has named Brenden Aldridge, Evan Barrera and Zach Clesas as his assistant coaches.
"I am excited about the staff we were able to bring in to help build on the success the program has had," Kauffman said. "They all have experienced success in their college careers and understand what it takes to compete at a high level. We are lucky to have these three guys join us for this season!"
ZACH CLESAS
Clesas will serve as the team's pitching coach.
"I am excited to get to work with Coach Kauffman and represent my state college," Clesas said.
The Johnston, Rhode Island native joined RIC Head Coach Frank Holbrook's staff in June, 2023 before Holbrook departed to take an assistant coach's position at Northeastern. Clesas guided the program during the fall 2023 season prior to Kauffman's appointment as the current coach.
Clesas pitched for five seasons at Wheaton, appearing in 71 games and starting 12 of them. He is fourth all-time in career appearances and was 12-3 to go along with four saves and a 3.47 ERA. Clesas was named All-Conference as a senior in 2023, where he ranked in the top 10 in single season innings (73), posted a 3.33 ERA and walked only seven.
He earned a bachelor's degree in business and management from Wheaton in 2023.
Clesas played for the Brockton Rox in the FCBL and in Martha's Vineyard for the NECBL. He won a NECBL championship and was 3-1 with a 1.85 era in 24.1 career innings.
BRENDEN ALDRIDGE
"I am very excited to return to my alma mater as an assistant coach," Aldridge said. "I'm looking forward to building on the previous success we have had."
Aldridge will assist Coach Clesas with the team's pitching staff.
He recently wrapped up a two-year career as an Anchorman, helping RIC win the 2023 Little East Regular Season Championship and establish a new program record with a 30-13 mark.
Aldridge closed out his Rhode Island College career having appeared in 25 games. Aldridge was 2-2 with a 4.55 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 31.2 innings of work. Prior to pitching at RIC, he spent 2018-21 as a pitcher at Franklin Pierce.
He earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Franklin Pierce in 2021 and is currently working on his master's degree in management at Rhode Island College.
EVAN BARRERA
"I'm very excited to join the Rhode Island college baseball staff and help prepare the players to achieve their goals this coming season," Barrera said.
Barrera will work with the team's outfielders.
The West Warwick, Rhode native played four years of baseball for the Wizards. He earned First Team All-Division honors as a senior and went on to play at Becker where he starred for three seasons. Barrera was a two-time All-Conference selection, is ninth all-time in batting and 12th in hits. He went on to appear in eight games for Div. I Fairleigh Dickinson before concluding his career.
Barrera works currently with L&M's elite level prospect team in the strength and condition department. He has helped numerous athletes with training and programming to make sure that athletes are getting stronger in a safe environment.
He's previously been an assistant coach at Mount Saint Charles and Central Falls High School.
Barrera graduated from Becker with a bachelor's degree in exercise science in 2019.
