A familiar face on the RCGC third base sideline, assistant coach and pitching expert Greg Chew needs no introduction to Roadrunner baseball fans.
Head coach Rob Valli, who guided the Runners to their 23rd Region XIX baseball title and a trip to the NJCAA Division III World Series this weekend, knows Chew's full value to his program's success all too well.
"We flat out don't make it this far without Chewy," said Valli. "His work with our pitchers and as our third base coach has been amazing."
The 6 feet, 4 inch Chew, who has served as Roadrunner pitching coach and third base coach for 15 seasons during two different tenures at RCGC/GCC, has clearly made his mark both as a player and coach. During the current season, the Runners captured their 23rd overall Region XIX crown and first since 2016. Thanks to Chew's solid guidance, the pitching staff features its usual variety of pro and Division I collegiate prospects, with sophomores Mike Biasiello, Nick Evangelista and Nick Yoder leading the way. Many of his hurlers can throw in the 90s, have solid mechanics, and work hard for success.
"Pitching has always been a trademark of our teams, and a big reason we've won so many championships," said Chew. "Our staff is 8 or 9 pitchers deep, and the results would be the same if we used any of these pitchers on any given day."
Chew began at GCC in 1997 and helped lead the Roadrunners to the NJCAA College World Series for eight straight seasons from 1998-2005. He helped to coach three National Championship teams in 1999, 2000 and 2005. He later followed head coach Rob Valli to Temple University for several seasons before returning to RCGC in 2014.
Scores of pitchers under Chew's guidance have been signed by Major League teams or gone on to NCAA Division I program, including Mike Flannery formerly with the Florida Marlins; Ryan Costello (2000), Tony Casoli (2001), Luca Petricelli (2002) and Mike Antonini (2005). Costello was a National Player of the Year in 2000.
As a player, Chew posted a 9-1 record as a freshman at Gloucester County College in 1994 and was drafted in the 42nd round in the MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He played two seasons in the Pirates organization before spending time with the Catskill Cougars of the Northeastern Independent League and the Atlantic City Surf of the Atlantic League.
Chew earned his bachelor's degree in health & exercise science at Rowan University in 2001 and teaches health and physical education at Washington Township High School.
"In the time I've been here as a coach, we've three won national championships -- so we're really looking forward to the World Series this weekend in Greeneville, Tennessee," Chew said.
Follow the Roadrunners' journey through the NJCAA Division III World Series @rcroadrunners.com
