Expected to be a team leader after emerging as the starting ace in his sophomore season and following with a terrific 2007 summer campaign.

Coach Callahan's comment: "He's the number one starting pitcher and he's going to be a workhorse on the mound for us this season."

2007: Finished season by defeating a strong South Dakota State team, 7-4. in the Division I Independent Tournament in Utah on May 25, 2007. ... led NJIT in wins (6) and strikeouts (62 in 75.1 IP) ... Summer 2007: 2nd-team all-New York Collegiate Baseball League for the Brockport Rivercats ... made league history late in the season when he tossed the first-ever perfect game in the NYCBL, a summer circuit that was founded in 1978 as a development league for Major League Baseball ... 2006: Starter and winner in the ECAC Division II title clincher (6-3 over Molloy) with seven Ks in seven innings. ... Overall, posted a 4-5 record and struck out 38 in 43 innings ... first college at-bat was a home run against Minnesota-Duluth on 3/12.

Prior to NJIT: Group I North I sectional champs 2005, Group I state champs 2004 playing for coach Joe Sutera at New Milford High. ... all-Bergen County in 2004 and 2005, first-team all-state 2004 and North Jersey Player of the Year ...played summer ball on the Brockport Riverbats. ... ranked in top 10 in his class.

Personal: Paul Joseph Saporito ... majoring in chemical engineering ... last name is pronounced "sap-a-REE-to". ... born 6/30/86 in Ridgewood, NJ.