Our Team

Hector Gonzalez

Texas native, Coach Hector Gonzalez joined Shelton Travel Baseball in 2019. Prior to relocating to Milford, Connecticut, Coach Hector served as an Assistant Baseball Coach for DII Texas A&M International University from 2015-2018. While at TAMIU, Hector ran all infield and outfield responsibilities producing several All Conference players.  

Hector attended and was varsity captain at United High School in Laredo, Texas. After high school, Hector played collegiately and was a 4-year starter at Texas A&M International and Philadelphia University. Hector’s first ties to Connecticut begin back in 2013 where he played in the HVCBL for the Danbury Titans and was part of USA Baseball’s fall clinics for young Newtown ballplayers along with Connecticut natives, George Springer (Houston Astros) and Matt Barnes (Boston Redsox). Currently, Hector is the Assistant General Manager and head instructor at D-BAT Trumbull.  Hector brings his experience of coaching travel baseball in Texas and professional instruction to our Shelton boys. 

Keith O’Rourke

Coach Keith O’Rourke joined Shelton Travel Baseball for the 2018 season. A resident of Shelton, “KO” was Head Baseball Coach at Fairfield Ludlowe High School from 2005-2013.  While at Ludlowe, Coach O’Rourke’s teams earned a state tournament appearance every season, played in the state title game, claimed multiple division titles, and won the FCIAC Championship.  During O’Rourke’s final season with Ludlowe in 2013, he was named FCIAC Coach of the Year.  Prior to his time at Ludlowe, Coach O’Rourke was also the Head Baseball Coach at Joel Barlow High School in Redding for four years, where he coached current Houston Astros pitcher Charlie Morton (2017 ALCS Game 7 and 2017 World Series Game 7 winner).  Other coaching experiences for Coach O’Rourke have included a stop at Division 1 Fairfield University, an appearance as a guest instructor for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and coaching within the Fairfield Rage travel baseball program for multiple years.  As a player, Coach O’Rourke played Division 1 baseball at the collegiate level, and was a college teammate of 2007 Boston Red Sox World Series MVP Mike Lowell.  Off the field, Coach O’Rourke is a professional educator who has been a teacher, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal and Principal over the course of a twenty plus year career.

ALex Rauso

Coach Alex Rauso joined the Shelton Siege Program in 2021. He has been a part of the game for many years both as a player and a coach. He was a member of the Trumbull High varsity squad where he was a 2 time All FCIAC player; Alex then went on to play for the Division 2 University of Bridgeport. At Bridgeport Alex was a two-year captain 3 year starter and just broke Bridgeport’s career home run record back in 2020. Alex has spent his time primarily as a catcher but is also an excellent outfielder.

Alex has spent the last 3 years with Trumbull’s Senior Legion 19u ballclub as one of the assistant coaches. He also served as the University of Bridgeport’s volunteer assistant coach in the 2021 season. Alex’s leadership, experience and knowledge of the game will add to the growth of Siege Baseball into a premiere program in the Northeast.

John Giampaolo

Coach G joined the Siege coaching staff in 2019.  Coach G was a high school ball player growing up in neighboring Monroe.  His father, long time Masuk coach, instilled a passion for baseball and coaching at an early age.  Coach G’s over 27 years of teaching physical education in Shelton brings organization and understanding of a child’s mental, muscle, skeletal development.  Coach G’s expertise in youth development allows him to excel in agility and speed training for a growing body.  With over 20 years of involvement with Future Stars Sports Academy, Coach G has mastered practice planning and implementation.  Coach has designed camps and clinics to develop players, improve skills and add new complex concepts. Even at a youth level, Coach G’s old school practices are fun learning experiences that preach individual accountability and teamwork.  

Marc Zoppi 

Coach Marc Zoppi joined Shelton Travel Baseball in 2018. A Shelton resident, Marc grew up playing in Shelton Baseball system from little league to Babe Ruth to High School and then Legion ball. Marc attended Shelton high school where he was a two year varsity starter in 2014-2015. Marc was a recipient of the Walter A. Biercevicz Sr. “For the Love of the Game” award for sportsmanship, character, integrity, work ethic, dedication and for the love of the game.  After High School, Marc received his bachelors degrees in sports management from Southern Connecticut State  University where he also was a student assistant coach for Southern Connecticut Football team. Marc is currently pursuing his masters degree from Southern working as a Graduate Assistant/wide receivers coach for the Football program. Marc describes his coaching style as encouraging young athletes to develop a passion for the game through hard work and dedication. Working with the kids to improve their skills and abilities and watching them grow throughout the season is what Marc enjoys most about coaching.

Sean Mignone 

Coach Mignone joined the STB Siege Coaching Staff in the fall of 2019 as Head Coach of the 12U Siege Orange Fall Ball Team.  Coach Mignone comes to Siege with a variety of teaching and coaching experience.   Coach Mignone graduated from Notre Dame Catholic High School in Fairfield CT in 1997.  He was a 3 year letter winner in Football, Basketball and Baseball and served as captain of all 3 teams during his senior year.  He was selected as All SWC in Football and Baseball.  After high school Coach Mignone went on to play baseball at Western New England College where he graduated in 2001 with a degree in History.  He then earned his Masters Degree in Education from Sacred Heart University in 2002.  Coach Mignone then began his career as a professional educator.  He has been a social studies teacher in Stratford CT for the past 17 years, the last 14 at Bunnell High School.  He started his coaching career in 2002 at Stratford High School where he served as the Head JV Baseball Coach for 7 years.  During that time, in 2004 and 2005 he also coached Freshmen Football and was the Varsity Quarterbacks Coach at Fairfield Warde High School.  He took a brief break from coaching from 2008 to 2012, but in 2013 was hired at Bunnell HS as the wide receiver and defensive backs coach for the Varsity Football Team.  He took over as Head Football Coach at Bunnell mid way through the 2014 season and lead Bunnell to a 33 - 11 regular season record, a 2016 and a 2018 State Playoff appearance, and a 2017 SWC Division 1 Championship.  During his time as head football coach he was also hired as Bunnell's Varsity Head Baseball Coach in 2016.  He gave up the head baseball coaching responsibilities after two seasons, as coaching two varsity sports simultaneously was a difficult task.  Coach Mignone stepped down as Head Football Coach at Bunnell in January of 2019 to have the opportunity to see his kids grow up and play sports of their own.  Coach Mignone is looking forward to the opportunity to coach with the STB Siege.

Coach

Coach…

Ron Porto

Coach Ron Porto joined the Siege in spring 2020. Ron grew up in nearby Stratford where he started playing baseball during his youth which included Bronco baseball, Babe Ruth, American Legion, P.A.L. and for various area All-Star teams. Coach Porto attended Stratford High School where he was a two sport varsity athlete playing 3 years of varsity soccer and 4 years of varsity baseball. During Coach’s senior year at Stratford High School he was recognized by the CT Post & New Haven Register as one of the most outstanding baseball defensive players in the area. He was also recognized in both Fairfield and New Haven counties total steals during his senior year. Coach Porto continued his baseball career in college at Sacred Heart University playing Shortstop, Second base and Third base teaming alongside several individuals who went on to play professionally in MLB, MiLB, Japan, Korea, Italy and the Netherlands. During his time at SHU he played under Head Coaches Mark Julius and Nick Giaquinto. Coach Ron Porto has been very active in the Shelton community over the years as a member of the Knights of Columbus. Coach Porto also has years of youth coaching experience in Shelton. He is actively involved in coaching Baseball, Basketball, Flag Football and Soccer. Coach Porto has been the Travel & Premier Director for Shelton FC Soccer Club for the U8 to U19 age groups. He also continues to hold various assistant coaching and team manager roles at Shelton FC and coaches the Shelton High School Girls Soccer team each summer.

Rich Trimboli:

Coach Trimboli’s Bio is coming soon….

Ralph Franco

Coach Ralph Franco joined the Shelton Travel Program this past Fall of 2019. Ralph played collegiate baseball at Barry University in Miami Shores Florida. After college, he started his coaching and teaching career in Miami Florida at LaSalle High School in 1993. He continues to teach high school math at Masuk High School in Monroe & for the past 20 seasons served as their Head Baseball Coach. Coach Franco won 305 games at Masuk and coached the Panthers to five SWC championships and two state final appearances in 20 years as head coach. He coached 45 players that would go on to play in college during his tenure, including 12 to Division I schools and two Connecticut Gatorade State Players of the Year — Jeff Hourigan and Thomas Milone. He coached three All-Americans and had four of his players drafted, including Thomas Milone who was picked in the third round & 99th overall of 2013 draft from the Tampa Bay Rays. Two of his former players are currently coaching at the college level. Jeff Hourgian is the Associate Head Coach at UConn & Ted Hurvul serves as the recruiting coordinator & pitching coach at Byrant University. He was the 2006 Fairfield County Coach of the Year after producing a team that went 24-3 and reached the Class LL semifinals. His final career record is 305-170. Coach Franco is a resident of Shelton since 2000 where he lives with his wife Mirna, daughter Rebecca and son Ralph.