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Shawn Stiffler Stiffler, 27, enters his second season with the Rams, serving as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator for the VCU program. In just his first season with the Rams, the Somerset, Pa. native helped lead the Black and Gold to the most wins since 2003 and saw junior transfer Luke Pisker post nine wins and 11 saves under his guidance. Pisker was one of three hurlers to ink professional contracts after last season as the Washington Nationals selected the former Ram in the 17th round. Joining Pisker on the professional level were seniors Mick Mattaliano, who signed with the Baltimore Orioles, and John Leonard, who signed with the Kansas City Royals. Stiffler has now seen six of his pitchers sign MLB contracts. With his first full recruiting class donning the VCU colors this year, Stiffler is seen as one of the most diligent workers in the state and has brought in local standouts such as Michael Cheatham and Eric Curtis, along with talented transfers like Ian Thomas and R.J. Schenk. Prior to coming to Richmond, Stiffler was an assistant coach for five seasons at his alma mater, George Mason. While with the Patriots, he saw the team ERA get lower each season and in 2005 oversaw the third-lowest team ERA in school history at 4.03. Along with a top-five showing in team ERA, the Patriots staff posted 387 strikeouts during the 2005 season, the second-highest total in George Mason history. Stiffler earned a B.A. degree in communications from George Mason in December, 2001, after a four-year career as a pitcher for the Patriots. He is a 1997 graduate of Somerset High School, where he earned honorable mention All-America honors from USA Today and was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 53rd round. He was also an outstanding basketball player at Somerset. He currently resides in Richmond and is engaged to his fiancee, Jenn Orr.
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