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08/28/2023 12:22 PMNorth Haven Middle School science teacher Muchie Dagliere recently got the call that he will be inducted to the University of Massachusetts-Amherst Athletic Hall of Fame coming this fall. Dagliere, born and raised in North Haven (who now resides in North Branford) grew up on the fields of Max Sinoway Little League and took his talents to The Taft School in Watertown for high school, where he excelled in both hockey and baseball.
After multiple offers to play both sports at the next level, Muchie decided to play baseball at UMass. The 1998 graduate was an immediate impact player as a freshman, where the second baseman batted .343 with 62 hits, eight home runs, 50 runs, and 38 RBIs. The 38-win team made their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 22 years before bowing down to No. 3 University of Miami and No. 15 Texas A&M.
Umass continued their success the following season, where Muchie batted .415 (20th nationally), recording 81 hits (UMass single season record), 60 runs, and 53 RBIs, propelling them in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year with a 40-13 record. After a strong performance in the Regionals by beating the Central Florida Knights twice and the University of South Florida Bulls, both top 20 teams, UMass took the No. 3 University of Florida Gators to a one-run game in the eighth inning before the Gators pulled away in the bottom of the frame. A win there would have given the Minutemen their first College World Series appearance since 1969.
In an injury plagued junior season, Dagliere was still able to bat .318 with 47 hits, 36 runs, and 36 RBIs as the team finished 35-12. Bouncing back healthy in 1998 to finish his senior season, Muchie batted an amazing .444 (sixth nationally), with 67 hits, 39 runs, 49 RBIs, and only four k’s, making him the fifth toughest player to strike out in the country. As Umass fell to Virginia Tech in the A-10 Tournament, they ended their season with a 27-12 record.
Compiling the best statistical performance in UMass Baseball history, Muchie still owns numerous batting records 25 years later. Upon graduation, Dagliere played one season of minor league ball for the Independent Waterbury Spirit before entering the classroom. The first five years of Muchie’s teaching career began at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven, where he taught all levels of science and coached both their freshman and varsity baseball teams. He also spent nine seasons as an assistant coach at North Haven. This is Dagliere’s 15th year at North Haven Middle School, where he tries to instill that determination, hard work, and perseverance is a key component for success.
Nowadays, Muchie and his wife Stephanie enjoy watching both of their children compete at high levels in their respective sports, gymnastics and volleyball.
His wide variety of accomplishments include:
– The only three-time Division I All-American (Third Team-NCBWA 1997, Third Team- ABCA 1998, Second Team NCBWA 1998)
– Two-time All-Northeast Region First Team (1996, 1998)
– Two-time All-New England First Team (1996, 1998)
– Two-time All-Atlantic 10 First Team (1996, 1998)
– Atlantic 10 All-Tournament First Team (1998)
– NCAA East Regional All Tournament First Team (1996)
– Career Hitting Records (No. 1) - Average (.381), Hits (257), RBIs (176), Runs (185), Sac Flies (17)
– Single Season Hitting Records (No. 1) - Average (.444), Hits (81), Hitting Streak (31 games)
Other Top 10 Career Statistical Accomplishments:
Career Rankings
– Second At Bats (675)
– Second Total Bases (371)
– Third Doubles (47)
– Fourth Games Played (175)
– 10th On Base Percentage (.433)