Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Mady Salvani
Tyler O’Neill Named Bison of Week After Complete-Game Win in Patriot League Tournament
5/14/2024 3:58:00 PM | Baseball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell junior Tyler O'Neill gutted out a 140-pitch, nine-inning complete game in Bucknell's 4-3 win over Army West Point in the opener of the Patriot League Tournament semifinal series on Saturday, and he has earned Bison of the Week honors for his efforts.
The Bison grabbed the early advantage in the series with the tightly contested win, which was not decided until catcher Nic Adamo and shortstop Brady Karp perfectly executed some first-and-third double-steal defense to end the game.
O'Neill blanked the five-time defending Patriot League champs on two hits through six innings, and ultimately he allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits with eight strikeouts and two walks. The 140 pitches marked a career high, and it was his first nine-inning complete game since March 2022, when he also accomplished the feat in a win over Army in his first collegiate start.
In Saturday's affair, O'Neill made big pitches on the heels of Army triples to preserve the shutout through six. He caught a bad break in the seventh inning when a missed call at first base allowed a two-out unearned run to score that trimmed Bucknell's lead to 4-2. He bounced back with a quick three-up, three-down inning against Army's 2-3-4 hitters in the eighth, and then he battled through the ninth to preserve the win.
Bucknell's season came to a frustrating end on Monday, however, when Army overcame late deficits in both Game 2 and Game 3 to win the series.
O'Neill finished the season with a 5-5 record and a 4.89 earned-run average. He struck out 71 batters in 70.0 innings, and after a bit of a slow start to the season, he allowed three or fewer earned runs in seven of his last eight starts.
With Army and Navy set to meet in the Patriot League championship series, O'Neill currently leads the league in innings pitched and ranks second in strikeouts, fourth in wins, and sixth in ERA.
The Bison grabbed the early advantage in the series with the tightly contested win, which was not decided until catcher Nic Adamo and shortstop Brady Karp perfectly executed some first-and-third double-steal defense to end the game.
O'Neill blanked the five-time defending Patriot League champs on two hits through six innings, and ultimately he allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits with eight strikeouts and two walks. The 140 pitches marked a career high, and it was his first nine-inning complete game since March 2022, when he also accomplished the feat in a win over Army in his first collegiate start.
In Saturday's affair, O'Neill made big pitches on the heels of Army triples to preserve the shutout through six. He caught a bad break in the seventh inning when a missed call at first base allowed a two-out unearned run to score that trimmed Bucknell's lead to 4-2. He bounced back with a quick three-up, three-down inning against Army's 2-3-4 hitters in the eighth, and then he battled through the ninth to preserve the win.
Bucknell's season came to a frustrating end on Monday, however, when Army overcame late deficits in both Game 2 and Game 3 to win the series.
O'Neill finished the season with a 5-5 record and a 4.89 earned-run average. He struck out 71 batters in 70.0 innings, and after a bit of a slow start to the season, he allowed three or fewer earned runs in seven of his last eight starts.
With Army and Navy set to meet in the Patriot League championship series, O'Neill currently leads the league in innings pitched and ranks second in strikeouts, fourth in wins, and sixth in ERA.
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