Aaron Gershenfeld enters his third season as the recruiting coordinator and hitting coach at The Citadel. Along with coaching the hitters and overseeing the recruiting efforts, Gershenfeld wortks with the catchers and serves as the third base coach during games.
In his first two years as recruiting coordinator, Gershenfeld has helped recruit and sign highly-touted players to The Citadel. Both of his recruiting classes have brought in 12 players ranked in the Top 500 nationally by Perfect Game. He facilitated bringing in nine different players from the state of South Carolina, all ranked in the top five at their respective positions by Diamond Prospects.
In 2019, Gershenfeld helped guide Ben Peden to being an All-Southern Conference selection. Peden finished his senior year hitting .305 with 15 doubles, eight home runs and a .902 OPS. Freshman Tyler Corbitt also had a breakout year as the freshman all-conference selection hit .333 with 15 doubles and 35 runs scored.
In his first season with the Bulldogs, Gershenfeld helped the offense to improve in 12 statistical categories, including slugging percentage, hits, doubles, triples, RBIs, on-base percentage, runs scored and stolen bases. The saw a 28 point increase in batting average, while reducing the total number of strikeouts by 99.Individually, seven players experienced career offensive years.
Gershenfeld helped mentor catcher Bryce Leasure to a standout defensive year in 2018. Leasure ranked in the Top 10 nationally in throwing out potential base stealers, along with being ranked atop the SoCon with the fewest number of passed balls.
Prior to The Citadel, Gershenfeld was a volunteer assistant at Vanderbilt working with the team’s hitters and catchers. During the 2017 season, the Commodores finished with a 36-25-1 overall record and finished third in the SEC Eastern Division. The Commodores earned an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament and won the Clemson Regional to advance to the Super Regional at No. 1-overall seed Oregon State. Four of the hitters Gershenfeld coached were selected in the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft, led by All-American Jeren Kendall who was taken 23rd overall. Will Toffey and Jason Delay were fourth round selections, while Ro Coleman was selected in the 34th round.
Prior to Vanderbilt, Gershenfeld served as the hitting coach under Coach Skole at East Tennessee State. While coaching the hitters at ETSU, the Buccaneers ranked among the nation’s best in numerous offensive categories including sixth in home runs per game (1.34), seventh in runs (75), eighth in slugging percentage (.491) and 21st in scoring (7.5). During his time with the Buccaneers, four ETSU hitters were called in the MLB draft with Trey York going to the Milwaukee Brewers in the ninth round. Only two Division I schools had more hitters drafted than ETSU’s four in 2016, the school’s most since 2006.
In his first stint at The Citadel as the volunteer assistant, Gershenfeld worked with the hitters, catchers and base runners in addition to on-campus recruiting, camps and scouting. Under Gershenfeld’s guidance, 10 players saw career-highs in batting average, while eight players saw career-highs in home runs and nine players saw career-highs in doubles. He also worked with First-Team All-Southern Conference selection Connor Walsh.
As a player at Louisville, Gershenfeld was a member of the 2013 and 2014 teams that were nationally ranked and reached the College World Series. The Cardinals won the Big East in back-to-back seasons in 2012 and 2013 and the 2014 AAC title.
A 2014 graduate of Louisville, Gershenfeld graduated with cum laude honors in sport administration and was a member of the All-Academic Team his senior season.
What They’re Saying About Coach Gershenfeld:
“Gersh is everything we want representing the University of Louisville He was the ultimate team player and he made everyone around him better. I knew he was going to be a phenomenal coach because he loves to win and he loves to help others grow. There’s no doubt in my mind he will be one of the hardest working coaches in the country. He will be a tireless recruiter and he will do everything he can to help The Citadel win championships.”
Dan McDonnell (’92), University of Louisville Head Baseball Coach
“I’m very proud and happy for Aaron to have this opportunity with The Citadel. Aaron is in college baseball for the right reasons. He wants to serve the players every single moment that he is around them. He is a positive influence on other people, and the environment is better when he is in the middle of it. We were lucky to have him here at Vanderbilt for a short time.”
Tim Corbin, Vanderbilt University Head Baseball Coach
“Aaron is one of the brightest stars in the college coaching industry. The Citadel baseball program is getting a dude who is passionate about teaching the game of baseball.”
Chris Burke, ESPN Analyst/Former MLB Player
