Baseball Opens 2019 Slate at NC State

Friday, February 15

Raleigh, NC

3:00 PM

Bucknell University

NC State

2/12/2019 10:45:00 AM | Baseball

The Bucknell University baseball team kicks off the 2019 campaign with a challenging three-game series at NC State on Feb. 15-17.

Setting the Scene:

What: Bucknell (0-0, 0-0 PL) at NC State (0-0, 0-0 ACC)

When: Feb. 15-17, Game One- Feb. 15, 3 p.m. Game Two: Feb. 16. – 2 p.m. Game Three: Feb. 17 – 1 p.m.

Where: Doak Field at Dail Park – Raleigh, N.C.

Watch: Game One Game Two Game Three

Bucknell at a Glance/Series Notes

The Bison open the year against a ranked opponent for the second straight year after facing 4^th-ranked Arkansas to open the season in 2018.
The Wolfpack are ranked No. 21 in Perfect Game, No. 22 in the Collegiate Baseball, and No. 23 in the USA Today Preseason Polls, the 17^th consecutive season in which they have been ranked in the top 25 to either open or close the season.
The Bison had four players picked to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team: Senior catcher Evan Klugerman, senior pitcher Jeff Gottesman, junior outfielder JohnPaul Bell, and junior first baseman Tyler Wincig.
The Wolfpack are coming off of a season in which they went 42-18 and 27-11 at home. They also hosted a Regional last season.
NC State was picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic Division of the ACC this season in a conference that features nine of the 14 members ranked in at least one of four preseason polls.
The two teams have only met once, a 5-2 loss for the Bison to the then eighth-ranked Wolfpack on March 3, 2016.
Hunter Robichaux is the only current Bison to have appeared in that game, retiring the only batter he faced in the eighth inning in a relief appearance as a freshman.
Although Bucknell has never defeated NC State, the Bison have picked up wins against several current and former ACC members.
Bucknell has defeated Wake Forest, Pittsburgh, Virginia, Maryland, and Florida State in its history from the ACC, with the most recent win coming against the Demon Deacons in a 16-12 slugfest on Feb. 14, 2015.
The Wolfpack feature three preseason All-Americans in sophomore catcher Patrick Bailey, junior LHP Kent Klyman, and junior shortstop Will Wilson.

Below is an in-depth season preview:

The Bison will look to build off a solid 2018 campaign in which they qualified for the Patriot League Tournament with a 13-10-1 mark in conference play.

Bucknell took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series after a 4-1 win over Army in the semifinals, but the Black Knights took the final two games of the series to advance and eventually win the 2018 Patriot League Tournament Championship. The Bison have been knocked out by the eventual champions of the tournament in each of their last three postseason appearances with two of those three series going to a deciding game three.

The Bison return 24 letterwinners from last season's team, including seven players who started 20 or more games for the Orange and Blue in the 2018 season.

Head Coach Scott Heather, now in his seventh season at the helm of the baseball program, will rely on a mix of both veterans and underclassmen in the 2019 campaign to progress throughout the season and look to qualify for the Patriot League Tournament for the fourth consecutive year.

Eight seniors return for Bucknell in 2019: P Christian Tailor, C/1B Evan Klugerman, 1B Miles Moore, P Jeff Gottesman, P Hunter Robichaux, P PJ Strahm, OF Jared Drizin, and P Jack Grabek.

The seniors are joined by ten juniors: OF Josh Hunter, P Jack Simpson, P Charlie Rafferty, OF JohnPaul Bell, P/INF Tyler Wincig, C Marc Chernin, P Nate Grisius, OF/1B Luke Hartman, C/3B Alex Baumann, and INF Evan Madigan.

The eight-man sophomore class is comprised of INF Caleb Broughton, INF/OF Jack Schuler, 1B/3B Peter Marren, INF Dominic Toso, P Brenden Tuttle, P Nicholas Sadd, and P Matt Ottsen.

Eight freshmen round out the roster for the Bison this season: P Austin Odell, P Andrew Funovits, INF/OF Will Gannon, INF Brendan Lowery, OF Chris Cannizzaro, P Steven Walker, P Kendall Pierson, and P Luke Allain.

"We're excited for the year," said Heather. "The guys have been working really hard, and we're going to have a good nucleus back. We lost some good players, major contributors, but we're excited about the guys we have coming back, with a good mix of veterans and young players. We have a lot of guys who do have experience playing, and we're looking forward to being able to compete in Patriot League play."

The Bison will be tested early on, with yet another challenging slate after taking on eventual NCAA runner-up Arkansas for three games at this time last season.

This time, it's another NCAA Tournament qualifier in the way of the Bison at the beginning of the season in NC State. The Wolfpack finished 42-18 last season while hosting a Regional at last year's NCAA Baseball Championship.

However, Heather has always believed in challenging his team at the beginning of the season so that they can be playing their best baseball towards the latter stages of the year.

"That's been our philosophy from day one," said Heather. "We will always look to challenge ourselves in nonconference action to get ourselves ready for league play. We want to win the tournament, and we believe that if we get better each week, then we will be playing our best ball at the end of the year. We feel that the best way to accomplish that goal is to play the best teams that we can."

STARTING PITCHING:
Even with the loss of 2018 Patriot League Pitcher of the Year Connor Van Hoose, Heather is confident in his pitching staff this season, beginning with senior and Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year Jeff Gottesman. Gottesman tossed 72.2 innings while compiling a 2.85 ERA and a 5-4 record pitching second in the rotation behind Van Hoose.

Heather expects Gottesman to step into that No. 1 role, and believes he is ready for it.

"Jeff is a guy that really enjoyed a breakout year as a junior and really performed to his ability," said Heather. "Replacing Connor (Van Hoose) is going to be tough, but we believe Jeff can step into that role."

Behind Gottesman, Heather said there are a variety of options to choose from, and there is still a lot of competition for starting roles.

"Jack Grabek has always had great stuff, and has started a lot for us. He really had a nice fall and is throwing the ball right now as well. We figure for him to be a major guy in the rotation."

"Jack Simpson has started a lot in the past, and we believe he has improved quite a bit. He's a guy that has kind of gone back and forth from bullpen to starter, and we have seen him do well in both roles. We could easily see him working into the rotation."

"Nate Grisius did great for us throwing out of the bullpen last year, and could have the possibility of moving into the rotation as well."

Even with the options he has so far, Heather said he wants to make sure to keep a strong bullpen, and will further evaluate to see which pitcher is best for which role this season.

"Brenden Tuttle closed for us a lot last season, but we project him to be more of a starter in the long-term," said Heather. "We'll see if he gets to that point this year, and we'll look to increase his innings in some form or fashion."

"Freshman Austin Odell is a possible midweek guy for us, he's a strike-thrower, and is a player that we could see being a weekend guy in the future."

CATCHER:
At catcher, preseason All-Patriot League selection Evan Klugerman looks to build off of a solid junior season in which he batted .235 with 26 RBI and two home runs. Klugerman also hit .400 with runners in scoring position last season.

"We figure Evan Klugerman to be our primary guy going forward at catcher, he's been doing it for us the past two years," Said Heather. "He's swinging the bat well, and we're also looking to utilize him at first base and at DH. He's a guy that we will look to keep in the lineup in some way."

"Defensively, Ben Smith is probably our best catcher, said Heather. "He really throws the ball well and receives the ball well, and will definitely provide some quality innings for us defensively."

Heather also added that catcher is probably the deepest position on the team, with two more players also looking to be in the mix.

"Marc Chernin had a great fall with the bat," said Heather. "He will get some opportunities as a left-handed bat in a variety of roles."

"Alex Baumann will also look to compete for at-bats in a position that we feel comfortable with, but it will be very competitive to get innings behind Evan. However, with Evan's versatility, we hope we can get those guys some innings."

Another freshman, Kendall Pierson, will also look to see time at either catcher or first base.

FIRST BASE:
Heather also said he has several options at first base beginning with senior Miles Moore.

"Moore is one of our hardest workers and he's poised to break out this season," Said Heather. "He's shown glimpses of providing power for us in the past, and we hope he can continue to do that."

Tyler Wincig, a Preseason All-Patriot League Selection, also figures to spend some time over at first base, added Heather. Wincig started 41 of Bucknell's 45 games last season, and hit .277/.431/.346 while driving in 15 runs. Wincig also drew 32 walks last season, the third-highest total in team history for a single season.

"Wincig has been our utility guy," said Heather. "He's played a lot of different positions for us and pitched for us. I see him getting a good amount of time at first base as well. Klugerman will also be able to give us a left-handed bat in the lineup if he plays first base."

We feel as if we can put a lot of different guys there and not lose a step, and our depth is definitely a strength. We feel as if we can operate a sort of platoon system, and get 13-14 different guys a lot of at-bats."

SECOND BASE/SHORTSTOP:
Evan Madigan returns in the middle infield for the Bison, and has played both positions for the Bison on multiple occasions. However, Heather said that he looks to be more of a shortstop as his role gets more defined.

"Caleb Broughton is probably our best defender in the middle," said Heather. "He makes some exceptional plays and has good range and good energy about him. He's definitely going to have a role, and a lot depends on how he does with the bat. He can play either spot along with Evan (Madigan)."

"We also have two freshmen in Brendan Lowery and Will Gannon who we believe will be major contributors when it's all said and done. They are both playing in the middle so far, and can add some versatility in other positions as well to help provide depth."

"Jack Schuler is another guy in the mix, he provides a lot offensively, and I could see him finding a way in the lineup in either the outfield or at second."

"Dominic Toso could also see some time at second although he has primarily played at third for us."

THIRD BASE:
At third, Dominic Toso figures to be the primary option, after earning Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American honors last season as a DH, as well as earning Second Team All-Patriot League honors after hitting .284 with a team-best .459 slugging percentage. Toso also scored 32 runs and was fourth in the Patriot League in doubles with 15.

"Dom will be a major part of our lineup," said Heather. "He's a middle of the order type guy, and he has to be a run producer in order for our offense to go. He's really worked hard, and is swinging the bat confidently right now. We feel good about his upside with the bat."

"Peter Marren is a guy who, coming off of an injury in the fall, has really worked hard over the break to be ready to go and has also had a good start here in the spring. He's a guy that's pushing to find a way into the lineup, and here early on we'll see what happens with that."

Heather also said Wincig could spend some time at third, but will more likely focus on pitching and other positions.

"Tyler's a major part of our offense, he gets on base, he swings the bat with authority, and he has done a great job even though we ask a lot of him. He's always up to the challenge."

OUTFIELD:
JohnPaul Bell, a two-year starter, returns after earning Preseason All-Patriot League Honors.

"Bell has played primarily in center, and also some left early on," said Heather. "Luke Hartman also returns, he's a guy that can get on base a lot, swings the bat well. He will look to play in right field much like he did last year for us, although he also has a possibility of getting in some games as a DH."

Heather also added that Jack Schuler could push for a spot in the outfield, as well as PJ Strahm, a converted outfielder who Heather said is already probably his best defensive outfielder.

"Strahm had a good fall with the bat," said Heather. "We'll see how that holds up in the spring, he will certainly challenge for time with everything he brings to the table with his speed and athleticism."

"Jared Drizin is a senior that provides good competitive at-bats for us, he's our best baserunner and definitely has a role there. He makes great reads and runs the bases very well."

Josh Hunter will provide depth for the Bison as a developing player who Heather says has potential. Freshman Chris Cannizzaro can play any position in the outfield, according to Heather, and will also compete for a role.

RELIEVERS:
"Hunter Robichaux is probably throwing the best out of the bullpen right now," said Heather. "He came back motivated and ready to go, and has been up to 94 so far this spring. We're looking to expand his role again. A lot still remains to be decided depending on how we go with the rotation, but I believe it's important to have two of your top five guys in the bullpen."

Heather mentioned that Wincig could also be one of their best guys on the mound, adding that he's seen a lot of growth in the last year and a half.

"Tyler's a very competitive kid, and he responds well to coming out of the bullpen and attacking the zone."

Heather also has a few left-handed options, including Matt Shobe, who is coming off of an injury but Heather believes he is a tough matchup situationally.

"Matt's a big guy, he comes from a low slot and hides the ball well. He competes well and throws strikes. He had a good freshman year and continued to get better and expanded his role."

"Matt Ottsen has some of the best stuff on the team," said Heather. "It's a matter of competing in the zone. If Matt's in the zone, he is really tough to hit, he's throwing the ball really well right now, and we see his role expanding."

Odell can also come out of the bullpen, and Nicholas Sadd is another guy who made a lot of spot starts for Bucknell last season. This year, Heather projects Sadd as more of a bullpen guy.

"Sadd has potential to emerge into a late-inning guy for us," said Heather. "Christian Tailor is another guy who provides valuable experience and competitiveness. He's a senior, he's been through a lot and we know when he goes out there we're going to get a guy that goes out there and competes and gives us the best chance to win."

Heather also praised two freshmen. Andrew Funovits is coming off of an injury but brings what Heather described as one of the best arms on the team after topping consistently in the 90s at full strength.

Heather also said that freshman Steven Walker has "electric stuff" and has been starting to hone in on that over the last three months.

"We're excited to see Steven become more competitive in the strike zone and emerge into a role out of the bullpen."

Also in the mix for the Bison pitching staff will be freshman Luke Allain.

"We have 14-15 guys that we will look to get a good amount of at-bats," said Heather. "I'm looking to get a good amount of guys a chance to expand their roles and settle it out there on the field. It's going to be a challenge to get these guys a good amount of at-bats, but these guys have earned an opportunity to compete. They have proven that they deserve a shot. In order to reach our potential, we need a few of those guys to step up and become mainstays. It will come down to how they perform when the lights come on."