Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Baseball Set To Begin 2005 Campaign with Three-Game Outing Against Virginia
2/16/2005 7:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 16, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. - After finishing 20-24 overall and 7-13 in the Patriot League in 2004, head coach Gene Depew and the Bison baseball squad are hoping to bounce back to the top of the Patriot League and if history repeats itself, the Bison will stand atop the PL at season's end.
"I hope our pattern repeats," said Depew. Beginning in 2000, the Bison have followed every down year with a Patriot League title. With down years in `00 and `02, the Bison rebounded with league titles in `01 and `03, and hope for the same odd-year result in `05.
"We got out to a good start in 2004, but hit a slump in the second half of the season," said Depew. "We didn't meet our expectations, especially in the Patriot League. I hope that we're going to use these challenging experiences to make us better in `05."
The Bison will begin their quest to get back to the top of the Patriot League this weekend with a three-game road trip vs. the University of Virginia. Virginia is currently stands at 2-1 for the early season and is ranked #33 in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). The Cavaliers take on Old Dominion on Wednesday. The three-game series will take place on Friday at 3 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m.
CATCHERS
Senior Phil Bunting returns as Bucknell's top catcher in his fourth and final year in a Bison uniform. Bunting, a second team all-league selection in 2003, has been a mainstay behind the plate in all of his three years at Bucknell. The Bison also have a good amount of depth at the position, with senior Matt Belmont, who has made a solid contribution in the bull pen in previous years, ready to step in and make an impact as well as talented freshman Shawn Hirsch.
PITCHERS
Depew describes this year's pitching staff as "different than other years," as the Bison hurlers don't have the stand-out ability and draft quality pitchers that typically grace the Bucknell mound. The lack of a big time pitcher does not mean the Bison are lacking in talent.
"We have 10 to 12 capable guys on our pitching staff," said Depew. "We will utillize the bullpen a lot more because of the evenness of talent." Because all the Bison pitchers are so evenly skilled, Depew and company will use the early part of the season to determine the season's four starters. Sophomore Nathan Mittag is the leading returner after striking out 21 in 16 appearances last season. Mittag also led the team in saves with five.
Depew is looking at senior Tim Peocock, junior Mark Cussatt and sophomore Matt Curry as the leading candidates for starting positions. Jacob Moss, Jon Black, Ryan Gryskevicz and Luke Mara will add depth to the Bison bullpen.
Junior Phil Futrick, the Patriot League Rookie of the Year in 2003, will also see significant playing time this season. "If he's healthy," said Depew. "He could be anywhere from our number-one starter to a closer as he was his freshman year."
INFIELDERS
The Bison infield will see the biggest changes during the 2005 season after losing three of four infielders to graduation. Bucknell will be faced with the task of replacing Sam Moss at second base, Ben Stoll at shortstop and Steve Stutzman at third base.
Senior tri-captain Brian Day will be the lone returner at first base. Day, the 2003 PL Tournament MVP, started 39 games last season, the second-most of any returner. Junior Matt Capece will take over duties at shortstop after seeing time at three different positions last season while junior Brad Duvall will man second base after backing up the position for the past two years. Sophmore Chris Brannon will be the main backup for the middle infield. At third base, the Bison will rely on freshmen Jason Buursma and Ed Rubbo to step right in and man the hot corner.
OUTFIELDERS
Depew describes his outfield as the strongest area of the team with all three players on last year's squad being selected to the all-league team. Depew is confident that the Bison have the talent and depth to quickly replace Brian Hirshberg and Chris Mahoney who were lost to graduation.
The lone returning all-league selection Kyle Walter, a junior, returns to play center field for the third straight season. After an All-America freshman campaign, Walter didn't disappoint in his sophomore season, leading the team in hitting with a .372 average as well as producing the top totals in virtually every offensive category.
Senior Evan Weiss will be expected to step into the Bison outfield along with sophomore Chris Grandizio, the team's second-leading hitter in 2004. Gryskevicz is also expected to see time in the Bison outfield as well as on the mound. Providing even more depth will be freshmen Mike Barrett, Austin Turban and Chris Pieper.
SCHEDULE
"This season's schedule is the most challenging we have ever had, especially in the first month before we open up in league play," said Depew. The Bison begin the season with a three-game series against Virginia from the powerful Atlantic Coast Confence (ACC) followed by another three-game outting against Liberty from the Big South Conference. All this in the month of February.
In March, the Bison take on Cornell in a four-game matchup before heading to Bradenton, Fla. for seven games over spring break. Before the end of March, Bucknell will play five games against Big Ten opponents. Bucknell will play Indiana, Iowa and Ohio State while on spring break before meeting Penn State for a double-header on March 23. Depew says the level of talent the Bison will face prior to their league schedule, will do nothing but help his Bison troops.
"The schedule will be a challenge for us," said Depew. "But it will also be a good opportunity to prepare against the level of competition we need to be ready for in the Patriot League."
The Bison will play three of their five PL series away from the confines of Depew Field, opening up the PL season at Navy on April 2-3. The team plays at Lehigh on April 9-10, and at Holy Cross on April 30 and May 1. On the PL home slate will be Army on April 16-17 and Lafayette on April 23-24.
