Robert Preli joined the Millersville baseball coaching staff in the fall of 2009 to serve as the team's pitching coach, and he has developed one of the top pitching staffs in the region.
Since his arrival at Millersville, the pitching staff has ranked no lower than fifth in the PSAC in team ERA. He has coached eight All-PSAC East selections and two All-America selections in four seasons. With his guidance, Chris Murphy set five school records, won PSAC East, NCBWA, ABCA and Daktronics Atlantic Region Pitcher of the Year and was Millersville's first-ever All-America First Team pick. Tim Mayza, rated as the No. 6 Division II prospect by Baseball America, was also an All-America selection after leading the PSAC in ERA at 1.55 in 15 starts.
One season earlier, Brooks Rothschild became the first Marauder since 1998-99 to be named All-PSAC East in back-to-back seasons as a starting pitcher. His closers Adam Zipko, Zack Eckley and Tyler Horst combined to convert 30 of 31 save opportunities over four seasons.
In 2011, Preli's pitchers paved the way to a PSAC East title and NCAA Atlantic Region Championship with a 3.11 team ERA and .228 batting average against. The Marauders ranked second in the PSAC in both categories. Three of his hurlers earned All-Atlantic Region recognition. Brooks Rothschild led the PSAC in wins, and Zach Eckley led the league in saves for the second year in a row.Â
In Preli's first season, the pitching staff's ERA improved by more than a half run and moved from 10th in the PSAC to fifth. Millersville also ranked second in walks allowed and complete games. Two of his starters ranked in the top 10 in ERA and innings pitched and another was fourth in opponent's batting average. He also oversaw the transformation of Eckley from starter to closer, a project that worked to near perfection with Eckley tying for the league lead in saves.Â
Preli arrived at Millersville with more than 20 years of coaching and recruiting at all levels of the sport. He was the pitching coach at the University of the Ozarks in 2007 and 2008. During those two seasons, he coached three All-Americans, six all-region honorees, 20 all-conference selections and three academic All-Americans. Two of his players also signed professional contracts.
In 2007, he helped the program to a 24-21 record, and in 2008, the squad posted a 32-11 record. That club climbed as high as No. 14 in the nation. His pitching staff's ERA ranked second in the conference, and its walk to strikeout ratio was 2:1.
In addition to coaching high school and American Legion baseball, Preli worked as a scout for the Cleveland Indians. During that time, he established recruiting contacts all over the nation. Preli has also conducted clinics for underpriviledged players in Gloucester, Va., Shippensburg, Pa., Richmond, Va., Clarksville, Ark., and Washington, D.C.
As an athlete, Preli was a standout player at Gonzaga High School in Washington, D.C. He was signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1970. After one season with Erie of the New York-Penn League, he was drafted to serve in Vietnam, ending his playing career. He joined the Coast Guard and went on to serve the United States for 25 years. He retired as a master chief petty officer.
Preli completed his bachelor's degree in liberal arts with minors in sociology and administration and managerial studies from Regents College in 2003.
He has been married for 36 years to Patricia Preli. The couple has four children: Nick, Joe, Elaine and Vincent. They also have one grandson: Anthony.
