Castanza will man the MoonDog bullpen for his third straight summer as the team’s career leader in appearances with 55. Last season, Castanza made 23 appearances, going 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA. He put up 34 strikeouts in 34 innings pitched and recorded one save.

In his first year with Mankato in 2007, he made 32 appearances, whiffing 28 batters in 40.1 innings pitched, good for a 4.46 ERA.

Castanza has been one of the first men out of the pen for Minnesota State this spring, making 15 appearances and striking out 27 in 26.1 innings pitched. Castanza was named to the All-Tournament team at the NSIC Championships for going 1-0 in three relief appearances. He threw 7.2 innings and struck out eight without allowing a run. Castanza transferred to Minnesota State after two seasons at Hillsborough CC in Florida where he was 2-2 with a 3.68 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 2008.