Joe Paletta begins his fifth overall season on the Beaver bench that covers a span of six years. He returned to the staff in 2019 after spending the 2018 pursuing other career opportunities. He had served as an assistant on the staff from 2015-17.
During his first stint with the Beavers, he helped coach defense and base running, and the team ranked in the top-3 of the conference in fielding percentage each season. It was second in stolen bases in 2016 with 63. Upon returning in 2019, he helped the team lead the league in double plays turned and was fourth overall in overall fielding percentage with a school-record .961 mark.
Paletta served as a designated hitter/first baseman while playing for BVU from 2011-14. As a freshman, he was the primary designated hitter when the team advanced into the DIII College World Series. He then closed his career by helping guide the Beavers to the Iowa Conference regular season and tournament championships as a senior in 2014.
A career .330 hitter, Paletta started 167 games for BVU during his four years. In 593 career at-bats, he finished with 41 doubles, 10 home runs, 115 RBI and 113 runs scored, while also swiping 16 bases. Defensively, he helped anchor the infield his final two years with his play at first base, committing just nine career errors in over 800 attempts.
The Omaha, Neb., native and Millard South graduate was a three-time All-IIAC selection for the Beavers, including a First Team honoree as a freshman. During his four years, the Beavers won 118 games, including a then-school record 34 as a freshman before surpassing that total with 37 in 2014.
Paletta prepped his coaching career by spending two summers (2013 & 2014) serving as an assistant coach for the Millard South Junior Varsity (Legion) program in Omaha, Neb. The head coach of that team was also a Beaver baseball graduate, Kevin Kloewer, who was a teammate with Paletta in 2011.
Paletta graduated with a degree in physical education.
