Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Baseball Summer League Update
7/5/2007 8:00:00 AM | Baseball
July 5, 2007
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Several members of the Bucknell baseball squad are taking advantage of their time off this summer by refining their on-field skills in a variety of collegiate leagues. The group is scattered across the map from Pennsylvania to Hawaii, while others are playing in places such as South Carolina and Alberta. The following is a sampling of some of their performances thus far:
Ben Yoder (Belleville, Pa./Indian Valley) - Petersburg Generals - Coastal Plain League
The reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Year has adjusted well to wooden bats, hitting .303, good for fourth on the squad, and ranks third in RBI with 11. The Freshman All-American has played in 25 of the team's first 27 games, starting 24, and has scored nine runs. He is a perfect 11-for-11 in stolen base attempts and has committed just two errors for a .980 fielding percentage.
Jason Buursma (Seattle, Wash./Lakeside School) - Seattle Studs - Pacific International League
After making his first collegiate start on the mound this spring, Buursma has enjoyed success in the Seattle Studs rotation. Buursma, who is two-time All-Patriot League selection as a reliever, was 3-0 in three starts as of the team's last statistics update on Jun. 20. After 17 innings of work, Buursma held a 1.06 ERA with 18 strikeouts and an opponent's batting average of .143.
Mathew Wilson (Toronto, Ontario/Northern S.S.) - Okotoks Dawgs - Western Major Baseball League
After being one of the Patriot League's ERA leaders in 2007, Wilson has assumed the role of No. 1 starter for the Okotoks Dawgs. After starting out the season with an 0-2 record, Wilson has won his last three decisions to pull his record to 3-2. He currently holds a 3.81 ERA and has struck out 19 batters in 26 innings.
Andy Campbell (Mill Valley, Calif./Marin Catholic) - Okotoks Dawgs - Western Major Baseball League
Campbell is a teammate of Wilson's on Okotoks' roster and has seen action as a reliever. In four appearances, Campbell is 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA and four strikeouts in 10.1 innings pitched.
Mark Angelo (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown) - Quakertown Blazers - Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League
Playing for his hometown team, the Quakertown Blazers, Angelo has started all 23 of the team's games so far. Angelo, who started at first for the Bison for much of the 2007 campaign, is currently hitting .246 with 10 runs scored, four doubles and seven RBI. He is 2-for-2 in stolen bases, as well.
Dane Grandizio (Bloomsburg, Pa./Bloomsburg) - Herndon Braves - Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League
Coming off his first season as a starter for the Bison, Grandizio has played and started 14 of a possible 19 games for the Herndon Braves. After pacing Bucknell with 22 runs scored this spring, Grandizio is currently second on the Braves' roster in runs with 11 and is tied for the team lead in walks with nine. The rising-junior is hitting .200 with two RBI and is a perfect 8-for-8 on the basepaths.
David Solan (Newark, Del./Newark) - College Park Bombers - Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League
Solan, who appeared in 11 games in 2007 for Bucknell as a situational left-handed reliever, is also playing in the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League. He has pitched one inning for the College Park Bombers.
B.J. LaRosa (Jacksonville, Fla./Episcopal) - Oahu Paddlers - Hawaii Collegiate Baseball League
After hitting .308 in limited action during his freshman campaign with the Bison, LaRosa, a rising sophomore, has been playing for the Oahu Paddlers this summer, one of six teams that comprise the Hawaii Collegiate Baseball League. LaRosa recently earned a spot in the HCBL's all-star game on the Makai Islanders roster.
Bret Sokirka (Wyoming, Pa./Wyoming Area) - Spartanburg Crickets - Southern Collegiate Baseball League
Sokirka, a rising-junior infielder for the Bison, has played in 18 games for the Crickets. He is hitting .250 with six runs scored, one double and seven RBI.
