In the second edition of the North Adams Steeplecats roster preview series, we will break down the bats headed to the Steeple City this summer. With a combination of contact, power, and speed, these hitters are sure to light up the NECBL this summer.
Catchers
Owen Arias (Central Connecticut State): Arias joins the Steeplecats for a second summer running, and will look to build on his strong performance from 2025. He recorded six assists from behind the dish that summer, compared to only one error.
Camaron Haller (Dakota State): Hailing from Kingman, AZ, Haller had a scorching hot senior season for Dakota State. He batted .349 with an OPS over 1.000, while playing solid defense at the catching position.
Colsen Loughren (Massachusetts Maritime): A late addition to the roster, Loughren tore it up during his sophomore campaign this year. He batted .348 with a .981 OPS, and also had 14 assists from behind the plate.
Infielders
Parker Camelo (Rhode Island College): Camelo joins North Adams from RIC, where he had a solid junior campaign, hitting .308 in 33 games for the Anchormen. He finished the season with nine hits in his last 16 at-bats, including a 4 for 5 effort against Wheaton on April 30.
Nelphie Lopez (Portal): Lopez had a sensational sophomore year with Stetson, posting a wRC+ of 128 for the Hatters before entering the portal. He returns for his second year with the Steeplecats, and is poised to play a versatile role on the infield dirt, having the ability to play both middle infield positions.
Matt Colella (Lafayette): Colella comes to North Adams after his junior year, hitting a career best .293 for the Leopards. Colella is a tough out at the plate, striking out less than 10% of the time during his most recent season. He also brings lots of summer ball experience, having played for D.C. in the Cal Ripken Collegiate League and Utica in the Perfect Game Collegiate League.
Sean Stephenson (Iona): Stephenson returns to North Adams for a second summer after a good season for Iona in the MAAC, putting together a wRC+ mark of 110 for the Gaels. In his time with the Steeplecats in 2025, he played in 16 games, hitting a home run and stealing two bases.
Jake Butler (George Mason): Butler joins North Adams after a banner postseason for George Mason, being named to the A-10 All-Tournament team in recognition of his play during the A-10 tournament. He was also a pesky baserunner for the Patriots, stealing 22 bases in 56 games during the season.
Alex Barrist (Lafayette): Barrist is the third member of the Lafayette contingent playing for North Adams this summer, and will look to link up with his teammate Colella in the middle of the infield. He has a career collegiate batting average of .293, and will look to continue his summer ball success after a solid 2025 with Shelter Island in the Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League.
Bobby Stang (Dayton): Stang returns for a second summer with North Adams, and will look to replicate the success he found in his first. He played in 27 games with the Steeplecats in 2025, posting an OPS of .879 and blasting 6 home runs, keying the ‘Cats on their run to the playoffs.
Outfielders
Chris Diaz (Marist): Diaz comes to North Adams after a sensational campaign for Marist in 2026, hitting .295 with a .940 OPS. He also has extensive summer ball experience, playing for Bethesda in the Cal Ripken Collegiate League and Wisconsin Rapids in the Northwoods League, posting a combined OPS of .780.
Hunter Ray (Fairleigh Dickinson): Ray had a monster sophomore campaign for Fairleigh Dickinson, hitting 32 home runs, good for 2nd in the nation. He also stole 24 bags in 27 attempts, and posted a wRC+ mark of 176, placing him 20th in the country.
Evan Meier (Mount St. Mary’s): Meier played in all but one game this season for Mount St. Mary’s, displaying impressive longevity across a grueling collegiate season. He posted solid offensive numbers during the campaign, hitting .263 for the Mountaineers.
Nick Lobello (Towson): Lobello comes to North Adams from Towson, where he recently wrapped up his junior season, his first campaign with the Tigers after transferring in from Louisburg College. He comes with previous summer ball experience, spending the summer of 2024 with Pulaski in the Appalachian League.
Tony Woodie (SUNY Cobleskill): Woodie raked this year for SUNY Cobleskill, with an OPS over 1.200. He will play at first base as well as the corner outfield positions, matching a potent bat with impressive defensive versatility, a combination that is sure to serve the Steeplecats well this summer.
George Gilson (Portal): Gilson joins North Adams after a banner year for Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL, hitting .395 with 13 home runs for the Saints in his sophomore year. He also stole 34 bases, adding some impressive speed to an already dynamic Steeplecats offense.
Overall, Coach Mike Gladu has assembled an offense that is sure to provide some excitement throughout the season for Steeplecats fans. With a great balance of returners and newcomers, these bats are ready to create some fireworks and disrupt the NECBL in 2026.