25th Year (in 2027)
Metro State University Denver '94
Record at Stan State (through 2025 season): 542-600-3 (24 seasons)
Career College Coaching Record: Same
HONORS & AWARDS
- Led team to the conference tournament in 2023
- Led the Warriors to an NCAA Division II West Region tournament appearance in 2008
- Led team to its first-ever CCAA Tournament appearance in 2003
Kenny Leonesio joined the coaching staff as head coach in August 2002. Leonesio has coached 66 All-CCAA players, 13 West Region Players, 3 All-Americans, 2 CCAA and West Region Pitchers of the Year, and 9 Warriors have signed professional contracts with Major League teams. His 2008 team's 37 wins are the most in a season in program history.
Leonesio coached Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan, who was drafted in the seventh round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. Ryan made his MLB debut on Sept. 1, 2021, with the Twins. He was a member of the USA Baseball Team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and was the 2018 CCAA Pitcher of the Year.
In 2026, the Warriors had two All-CCAA selections in Second Team honoree Pierce Sailer and Honorable Mention selection Austin Balentine.
In 2025, the Warriors had three All-CCAA selections in Second Team honoree Flavio Perez and Honorable Mention selections Robert Valdivia and Ryan Leonesio.
In 2024, Stan State had four All-CCAA honorees in Austin Balentine (Second Team), Robert Valdivia (Second Team), Caleb Bertoncini (Honorable Mention) and Chris Catalano (Honorable Mention).
In 2023, Leonesio guided the Warriors to a 27-25 overall record and a sixth-place finish in the CCAA. Stan State returned to the CCAA Baseball Championships. Five Warriors were named to the All-CCAA Team in Casey Carr (Second Team), Anthony Ramirez (Honorable Mention), Tony Jacob (Honorable Mention), Robert Valdivia (Honorable Mention) and Maxwell Pappas (Honorable Mention). Valdivia was named to the All-Tournament Team at the CCAA Championships.
In 2017, the Warriors went 34-18, earning a place in the conference tournament for the first time since 2008. Nick Voumard was named to the First Team ABCA All-Region Team and the D2CCA/CoSIDA All-Region Team. Jordan Kron was also awarded All-Region honors, and the pair were named to the All-CCAA First Team.
In 2014, Leonesio recruited catcher Marcus Mastrobuoni, who was later drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 25th round of the 2015 MLB Draft.
The Warriors won 27 games in 2012, and Eli Davis was named to the First Team ABCA All-America Team. Catcher Mike Turay was drafted in the 24th round of the MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Warriors won 26 games in 2011, when Leonesio had two more pitchers selected by Major League organizations. Eric Cenedjas was picked by the Los Angeles Angels in the 32nd round of the 2010 MLB Draft, and Andrew Stueve signed a free-agent contract with the Kansas City Royals.
Leonesio’s squad completed its second straight 30-plus win season in 2009 and spent two weeks at No. 1 in the Collegiate Baseball Top 40. The Warriors also had three players drafted by Major League organizations, with pitcher Dakota Watts (16th round), outfielder Kyle Loretelli (38th round) and pitcher Eric Federico (39th round) selected in the MLB Amateur Draft. Another impressive feat in 2009 was the team's 24-7 record at Warrior Baseball Field, the second-best home winning percentage in school history.
In 2008, Leonesio led the Warriors to their first NCAA Division II West Region Tournament appearance, as well as qualifying for the CCAA Tournament for the second time. The 2008 Warriors went 37-23 and finished fourth in the CCAA with a 24-12 record. The team also produced an All-American in pitcher Marquis Fleming, who was drafted in the 24th round by the Tampa Bay Rays.
In 2006, Leonesio guided the squad to its first 30-win season since 1991 with a 31-24 overall mark. The team also had eight All-CCAA players and the program’s first NCAA Division II All-Region honoree. Pitcher Ryan McGrath signed a free-agent contract with the San Francisco Giants.
In his first year as the Warriors' head coach in 2003, Leonesio took the program to its first appearance in the CCAA Championship Tournament after posting a 27-27-1 overall record and a 21-18 conference mark to finish fourth in the standings. It was the first postseason appearance for the Warriors since 1989. For his efforts, he was named the CCAA Coach of the Year.
Leonesio came to the Warriors from Monterey Peninsula College, where he spent two seasons as head coach. His squad posted a 21-win season in 2002, the second-highest win total in school history and one game shy of the school record. It was only the fourth time in school history that a team won 20 or more games.
Prior to his tenure at MPC, Leonesio spent four years as an assistant coach at Metropolitan State College, a Division II institution in Denver, Colorado.
At Metro State, Leonesio served as the Roadrunners' pitching/catching coach and recruiting coordinator for Head Coach Vince Porreco. During his tenure, the pitching staff was one of the best in the RMAC and West Region, finishing at or near the top in several statistical categories and posting the two lowest team ERAs in school history.
Leonesio also coached at Ohlone College in Fremont, California, for two years, where he worked with the pitchers, outfielders and hitters for former Ohlone Head Coach and current Warrior pitching coach Paul Moore.
A native of Newark, California, Leonesio graduated from Moreau Catholic High School in 1989. He attended Ohlone College, where he was a member of the 1991 Coast Conference Championship team. He set the school's single-season and career records for saves while playing for the Renegades.
After Ohlone, Leonesio transferred to Metro State, where he set the school's single-season and career records for saves. He was named to the All-MIBL Team and the NCAA Division II All-West Region Team.
Leonesio earned an Associate of Arts degree in political science from Ohlone College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in land use management from Metro State.
Leonesio and his wife, Carrie, live in Turlock with their sons, Ryan and Matthe
Head Coach, Stanislaus State
2003 - Present
| Year |
Overall (Pct.) |
CCAA (Place) |
| 2003 |
27-27-1 (.490) |
21-18 (4th) |
| 2004 |
20-35-1 (.357) |
10-29-1 (10th) |
| 2005 |
23-31 (.425) |
17-21 (6th) |
| 2006 |
31-24 (.563) |
19-17 (6th) |
| 2007 |
24-29 (.452) |
16-20 (6th) |
| 2008 |
37-23 (.617) |
24-12 (4th) |
| 2009 |
31-21 (.596) |
16-19 (7th) |
| 2010 |
23-26 (.469) |
19-21 (5th) |
| 2011 |
26-21 (.553) |
18-10 (8th) |
| 2012 |
27-23 (.540) |
20-20 (7th) |
| 2013 |
10-40 (.200) |
5-35 (11th) |
| 2014 |
13-35 (.270) |
7-32 (11th) |
| 2015 |
21-29 (.420) |
16-24 (11th) |
| 2016 |
25-23 (.520) |
16-20 (5th, North) |
| 2017 |
34-18 (.654) |
23-15 (2nd, North) |
| 2018 |
22-28 (.440) |
18-26 (9th) |
| 2019 |
30-23 (.566) |
25-19 (3rd) |
| 2020* |
14-8 (.636) |
8-8 (t-6th) |
| 2021** |
N/A |
N/A |
| 2022 |
11-26 (.297) |
9-23 (11th) |
| 2023 |
27-25 (.519) |
19-20 (6th) |
| 2024 |
19-27-1 (.415) |
15-23 (10th) |
| 2025 |
21-27 (.438) |
16-22 (8th) |
| 2026 |
22-26 (.458) |
13-18 (7th) |
| Totals |
542-600-3 (.475) |
370-472 (.439) |
* 2020 season cut short due to COVID-19 Pandemic.
** 2021 season canceled due to COVID-19 Pandemic.
