Aug. 10, 2004
ARLINGTON, Texas - The University of Texas at Arlington head baseball coach Jeff Curtis and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Pete Carlon have announced the hiring of Jay Sirianni as assistant baseball coach. Sirianni began his duties as the team's new pitching coach on August 2, replacing Scott Malone who left in June to become the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at UNLV. Sirianni spent the previous three seasons as the pitching coach at Barton County Community College in Great Bend, Kan. While at BCCC, Sirianni helped lead the Cougars to a 113-56 record while his pitchers owned a 4.69 ERA. His first season saw the Cougars post a 44-14 record, setting a school-record for wins in a season. Prior to his time at BCCC, Sirianni spent the summer of 2001 as an assistant coach for the Liberal (Kan.) Bee Jays of the Jayhawk League. "We are real excited to Jay joining our staff," said head coach Jeff Curtis. "He brings experience and a lot of energy to our program and should help continue with the success that we have been having at UTA." Sirianni began his collegiate career at Texas A&M before transferring to Nebraska to play for head coach Dave Van Horn. In four years in Lincoln, Sirianni compiled a 15-9 record and a 6.95 ERA with one save. Sirianni was named a team captain in his senior season in 1999 and went 6-3 with a one save in leading the Huskers to a Big 12 Tournament title, 42 wins and the school's first NCAA appearance since 1985. He tossed his second career complete game to complete a series sweep of Texas. In his junior season, Sirianni led the Huskers with five wins and 56.2 innings pitched. He tossed a complete-game to earn a victory over the Longhorns by allowing four runs on nine hits. Sirianni became linked to NCAA history during his senior season as he was the winning pitcher in the most lopsided game in NCAA history when the Huskers defeated Chicago State 50-3 in the second game of a doubleheader on March, 16, 1999. Sirianni earned the win by retiring all six batters he faced in a predetermined two innings of work. In the summer of 1998, Sirianni was a member of the Liberal Bee Jays that advanced to the NBC World Series in Wichita, Kan. That team was coached by current UTA Associate Head Coach Darin Thomas and the late Clay Gould. Following his career at NU, Sirianni was signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Indians. Sirianni began his career with the Burlington Indians (Rookie League) and also spent time with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (New York-Penn League) and Kinston Indians (Carolina League). After finishing his professional career in January of 2001, Sirianni returned to NU for his final semester and earned his bachelor's degree in history in May of 2001. Sirianni is a native of Indianola, Iowa and played his prep ball at Indianola High School. He earned 10 letters with four coming in baseball and three each in track and football. He was named two-time all-state selection and three-time all-conference honoree. Sirianni's father, John, is entering his 19th season as the head baseball coach at Division III Simpson College in Indianola.
