Bucknell University Athletics
Former Bison Baseball Player Jason Buursma Impressive in Debut for Quad Cities
5/26/2009 8:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 26, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. - One of the most decorated players in the history of the Bucknell baseball program, 2008 graduate Jason Buursma, was called up to the Class-A Quad Cities River Bandits last weekend and owns a 0.00 ERA in two appearances with the squad that is based in Davenport, Iowa. The right-handed pitcher spent the 2008 campaign with the Batavia Muckdogs in the short-season New York-Penn League.
Buursma, who was chosen in the 25th round of last June's Major League Baseball Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, made his debut with Quad Cities this past Friday in a 9-5 loss to Dayton. He pitched three scoreless innings, allowed just one hit and struck out three while walking just one.
Two days later Buursma returned to the mound and retired the only hitter he faced in a 6-3 loss to Fort Wayne. Quad Cities' next game is Tuesday evening at the Western Michigan Whitecaps, an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.
Last year with Batavia, Buursma compiled a 1-3 record with a solid 2.35 ERA in 23.0 innings.
Buursma is not the only former Bison having success on the professional level as 2004 Bucknell graduate Matt Daley has been impressive in his first month as a major league player with the Colorado Rockies. He is 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA in nine relief appearances. The 26-year-old yielded just one earned run in his first eight appearances, but is currently on the 15-day disabled list after injuring himself against Pittsburgh. He will be eligible to come off the disabled list next week.
