Meet the STAFF

Our instruction ranges from hitting, fielding, pitching and catching to functional strength and conditioning.  Our coaches have professional experience, are highly skilled and, most importantly, have an insatiable appetite for baseball and softball. 

Michael Moras » Owner/Head Instructor

The owner and operator of The Grind Baseball and Softball Training Facility, Michael is well-known in Connecticut as a player, mentor, coach and friend.  Selected by the New York Mets in the 20th round of the 2008 amateur draft, he played professional baseball for five seasons.  A graduate of the University of New Haven, Michael was the school's four-year starting catcher.  A four-time, All-Conference and All-Region player, Michael was named All-American in his junior year.  He hit three home runs, including two grand slams, in a single game, to tie a Division II record.  Michael also led UNH and the East Coast Conference with 70 RBIs in 46 games, breaking the school's single-season record.  Born and raised in Orange, Michael attended Amity Regional High School where he was named an all state player his senior year.  He is also a former Orange Little League standout. Michael sets the tone for The Grind with his love for the game, his players and his individual attention to all The Grind's athletes.

John Ascenzia » Head Instructor

A West Haven native, John is a head instructor/coach for the Grind. At West Haven High School, he was a three year All-SCC starter leading the Blue Devils to the 2009 CIAC Class LL Championship. At the University of Bridgeport, John was a four year starter and three year captain. While at UB, John was selected to receive the Rawlings/ABCA Gold Glove Award for the best defensive shortstop in collegiate baseball. In his four year career, he was selected to All-Region and All-Conference teams twice. In 2016, John started his professional career, playing two seasons in the Frontier League with the River City Rascals and Florence Freedom. He specializes fielding and hitting for the Grind.

Tommy Lawerence » Head Instructor

A West Haven native, Tommy is a head instructor/coach at the Grind. He helped lead West Haven HS to a 2009 State Championship. He then went on to the University of Maine where he was named 2013 America East Pitcher of the Year as well as the 2013 ECAC Pitcher of the Year. He has the record for most wins in a season at Umaine (11). He then went on to sign with the Tampa Bay Rays. He is the co-founder of the Arm Barn, the Grind’s elite pitching platform.

Matt Fitton» Head Instructor

A Lebanon native, Matt joins the Grind as a head coach/instructor. He attended Lyman Memorial High School (2004-2007). In those 4 years, he was a varsity starter on the baseball team, and earned All-State honors in his Junior and Senior year. He also varsity lettered in basketball and soccer. He attended Sacred Heart University (2007-2011) and played Division 1 baseball all four years. His senior year they won the Northeast Conference title and competed in the NCAA tournament regional in Clemson.

Matt played two seasons professionally (2011 and 2012) with the Newark Bears of the Canadian-American League as a left handed pitcher.

Mike Antonini » Instructor

A native of Delaware County, PA, Mike joins the Grind this year as full-time instructor. He was a National Champion at Gloucester County College (JUCO) and went on to play 2 years at Georgia College and State University (D2). Mike was selected in the 41st round in the 2006 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies and selected in the 18th round in the 2007 MLB Draft by the New York Mets. Mike went on to play 4 years in the Mets system before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was called up to the MLB twice by the LA Dodgers in 2012. Mike then bounced around independent ball for a few years before signing to the Los Angeles Angels in 2015.

Mike then spent some time in Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela for summer and winter leagues.

From 2021-2022 Mike was the high school pitching coach at Notre Dame West Haven and is currently the 2023 pitching coach at North Haven High School.