Bucknell University Athletics
After Ten Games Cancelled Baseball Excited To Start The Season In Florida
3/6/2003 7:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 6, 2003
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Despite enduring a difficult 15-35 season in 2002, Bucknell is only two years removed from a Patriot League Championship, and the Bison will use a mix of veterans and rookies to make a run at another PL title in 2003.
The Bucknell baseball team has worked hard to prepare for the 2003 season. After an uncharacteristic 2002 campaign which cast the Bison as spectators in postseason play for the first time since 1996, the coaching staff and players have dedicated themselves to regaining their competitive place within the league. After graduating 10 seniors from a championship team in 2001, an investment in playing time for young players in 2002 should bring dividends for 2003.
Head coach Gene Depew mentioned, "We are prepared to face the challenge of bringing championship baseball back to Bucknell."
This season Bucknell will have the chance to place three sophomore catchers behind the plate. Phil Bunting, who is a top defensive player behind the plate, improved greatly on his hitting during the off season. Austin Barrett and Matt Belmont will also see time in the catcher's position. Barrett is recovering from shoulder surgery but will see plenty of time both behind the plate and with the bat. At bat, Barrett recorded a .260 batting average, while Bunting hit .212 for the Bison in 2002.
The Bison have a deep and talented pitching staff in 2003. With 13 hurlers to choose from, Depew will have a selection of starting and relief choices. Probable starting pitchers include senior co-captains Zach Allen and R.J. Grant. With Grant's live fastball, impressive change-up and cutter, and Allen's impacting breaking ball, the team's success will depend on the captains. In 2002, Grant had a 5.65 earned run average, while Allen recorded 7.91. Junior Kevin Miller will also be added into the starting pitching equation. After making 12 appearances in 2002, senior Kevin Burns will have the chance to start for the Bison, and will compete with Matt Daley for the fourth starting position. If Burns starts for the Orange and Blue, Daley may have the opportunity to close. Miller and Daley are both returning after a season of injury and an off-season of healthy conditioning.
The bulk of the pitching squad has the opportunity to start as mid-week pitchers. Sophomore Tim Peacock, the first lefty out of the bullpen, has the opportunity to participate as a mid-week pitcher for Bucknell. Junior Cory Nadler, sophomores Eric Steinbach and Nick Yaeger and freshmen Jon Black and Marc Cussatt are all contenders for mid-week pitching starts. The closing role is up for grabs for the Orange and Blue. Freshmen Jacob Moss and Phil Futrick will also compete for bullpen spots.
Rounding the bases, Depew looks to start a selection of experienced players. Looking to start at first base, sophomore Brian Day and junior Pete Wolf will contribute greatly down the line. Both Day and Wolf are very capable hitters for the Bison and will make a definite impact on both offense and defense. Day ranked fourth on the team with a .265 batting average last spring, while Wolf averaged .224. Sophomore Gregory Ekimoff, a converted catcher, and freshman Eric Salzer will also have a chance at first.
Junior Sam Moss will return and start at second base. Freshman Brad Duvall will also see time at second. After hitting .252 last season, Moss spent most of the offseason improving his defensive skills. Duvall hit well in the fall and could be a strong contender for second base.
Covering the slot between second and third will be Ben Stoll, who played second base and captured 72 putouts during the 2002 season. Stoll, a great infield leader, has shown strong range, speed and steady hands, which places him in a starting position at shortstop. Freshman Matt Capece, a strong defensive player, will follow Stoll at shortstop.
Filling the third base pad will be senior B.J. Batterson. Offensively, Batterson hit .246 in 126 at-bats in 2002. Junior Steve Stutzman will also compete for time at third base. Stutzman appeared in 15 games for Bucknell in 2002.
Depew has stacked the outfield with a number of confident returning starters. Senior Ben Krentzman will start in left field and hold the position of the outfield leader. Defensively, Krentzman had 27 putouts and offensively, contributed with the team's third highest batting average (.269). Freshman Chris Grandizio will also have an opportunity to assist in left field, as well as becoming one of the Bison's top pinch runners.
Junior Chris Mahony will change positions during the 2003 season from left field to center. In 2002, Mahony recorded 64 putouts in left field. Mahony also gives the Bison versatility in the offensive line up as a switch hitter. With a good jump on the ball, sophomore Dave Garrisi will also be a contender in center field.
The competition is tight for the starting position on the right side between junior Brian Hirschberg and freshman Kyle Walter. With one of the strongest arms in the outfield, Hirschberg will also produce positive stats as a power hitter. Walter had a good fall season and will add fresh talent to the outfield.
Bucknell set its 2003 schedule to challenge itself, enhance skills and accomplish goals. The Bison have seen 10 games cancelled due to weather and plan to perform in all seven games during their annual spring training trip to Bradenton, Fla. In Florida, the Bison will face St. Bonaventure, Harvard, Rhode Island, Yale, Indiana Purdue-Fort Wayne, Miami(Ohio) and Vermont. The Herd will return to the cooler climate to face Temple, Bloomsburg and Lock Haven in mid-March. Bucknell will play one last game, at Villanova, before heading into conference play.
The Bison begin Patriot League play in Worcester, Mass., and challenge Holy Cross for a set of doubleheaders starting on Saturday, March 29. The Bison will break up PL play with games against Penn State, St. Bonaventure, Duquense and Towson.
Bucknell's final regular season game will be against Mount St. Mary's on April 29. The Patriot League Championship will be held on the campus of the highest seed and the winner of the championship tournament will continue to the NCAA Regional round, on May 10-11.
