Klosterman finalizes staff with Hirschbein-Bodnar

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University baseball head coach Ryan Klosterman announced the addition of Eric Hirschbein-Bodnar as the volunteer assistant and director of baseball operations.

Hirschbein-Bodnar brings six seasons as a collegiate coach to the Smithfield. In addition, he serves as the Owner, President and General Manager of the Ocean State Waves in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

"I am very thankful and humbled to be a part of the Bryant Baseball program," Hirschbein-Bodnar said. "I am excited to learn and continue to develop as a young coach under coach Klosterman, coach Pelletier and coach Hurvul. I know the expectations and the culture of hard work, strong team unity and the desire to win, and I can't wait to continue that drive with these guys."

Hirschbein-Bodnar has been with the Waves since 2014, serving as an assistant coach and an assistant general manager before purchasing the team last fall. He helped the Waves become the nation's top-ranked summer team and advance to the NECBL finals in back-to-back seasons. In his current role, Hirschbein-Bodnar is responsible for putting together the Waves roster for the season, hiring a coaching staff and gameday staff, fundraising and sponsorships.

As a coach, Hirschbein-Bodnar has worked at Becker College, Felician University and Salve Regina University over the last six years. Last spring, he worked with the hitters, infielders and catchers at Becker. The previous year, Hirschbein-Bodnar helped Felician win 32 games and a CACC Regular-Season title, while also producing an MLB draft pick.

At Salve Regina, Hirschbein-Bodnar helped the Seahawks win back-to-back Commonwealth Coast Conference titles in 2016 and 2017, advancing the DIII NCAA Tournament. The 2017 Salve baseball team won a program-record 36 games and finished the season ranked 23rd nationally.

In addition, Hirschbein-Bodnar has served as the co-director of the Ocean State Jr. Waves, as the head coach and general manager of the Surf Side Sting Rays and as the head coach of both the Long Island Whalers (U18) and South Carolina Rawlings Stars Prospects 15U team.

Hirschbein-Bodnar graduated the University of Rhode Island in 2014 with a degree in History and Political Science and earned his Masters in Public Administration from URI in 2017. A native of Lido Beach, New York, Hirschbein-Bodnar currently lives in Newport.