All-Area Baseball Coach of the Year: Fitch's Marc Peluso

What They're Saying About Marc

"I'm so proud of him. I'm so proud of all those guys. They did an outstanding job coaching their team. They knew what they had and they maximized what they could get out of it. I'm so happy for him."

Roger Bidwell, UConn-Avery Point coach under whom Peluso played

What You Need To Know About Marc

Marc Peluso, a special education teacher at Fitch High School, became the toast of the place in June, leading the baseball program to its fourth state championship. The Falcons won the Class L title on June 9, beating New Canaan 6-4 to finish with a 24-4 record, which included a share of the ECC Large Division championship and berth in the ECC tournament finals. Peluso, The Day's 2012 Baseball Coach of the Year, is part of a coaching staff consisting of all UConn-Avery Point alumni, along with Jason Wolfradt and former Fitch great Brian McGugan.

Peluso was born in Stonington and played for the Bears, before stints at Avery Point and UConn. Peluso took over the Fitch program from Ed Harvey, who had won more than 400 games and three state titles. Peluso has led Fitch to five winning seasons, but never beyond the state quarterfinals until this year. Marc's brother Art is the head baseball coach at Waterford High School.

— Mike DiMauro