Army (2018 Record: 37-24, 18-7)
It was a great 2018 season for Army with wins over Michigan, Maryland, Boston College, Stetson and NC State. They dominated conference play all year and won the Patriot League Championship.
Returning Players
“We have a veteran pitching staff returning, along with most of our lineup. We return 74 percent of our innings from last season, and 87 percent of our at-bats. Tyler Giovinco, Cam Opp, Daniel Burggraaf and Sam Messina all were major contributors on the mound who will have a key role again this season. Our starting shortstop Trey Martin and center fielder Jacob Hurtubise also return to anchor the defense up the middle.” – Head Coach Jim Foster
Josh White should be back at second base after hitting .290 last year with 40 runs scored, 6 triples, and 38 RBI. Third baseman Anthony Giachin hit .286 as a freshman last year. Outfielder Drake Titus hit .280 with 41 runs scored. Hurtubise hit .278, while Martin hit .268.
Giovinco had a 3.26 ERA in 94 innings pitched last year with 77 strikeouts. Opp posted a 2.66 ERA in 61 innings pitched with 72 strikeouts and 4 saves in 2018. Burggraaf had a 2.90 ERA in 62 innings pitched last season with 83 strikeouts and 3 saves. Messina struck out 44 batters in 39.1 innings last year.
Newcomers
“Jeremiah Adams (3B/1B – University of Oklahoma / Broward JC) will add some thump to the lineup along with freshman catcher Cam Cerruto on the mound. Anthony Loricco will be a major contributor as a freshman as well.” – Head Coach Jim Foster
Outlook for 2019
“We hope to be more offensive this year, particularly in the extra base-hit area (only hit 10 HR last season). We also need to solidify the catcher position defensively after losing Jon Rosoff (signed by Tigers).” – Head Coach Jim Foster
Bucknell (2018 Record: 17-27-1, 13-10-1)
It was a solid 2018 season for Bucknell as they finished third in the Patriot League and made the four-team tournament, but were eliminated in the semifinals.
Returning Players
Shortstop Evan Madigan hit .290 a season ago with 10 doubles. Outfielder Dominic Toso hit .284 in 2018 with 32 runs scored with 15 doubles, and 4 triples. JohnPaul Bell will join Toso in the outfield and likely hit in the middle of the lineup after hitting .250 last season with 5 home runs.
Jeff Gottesman will likely lead the weekend rotation after posting a 2.85 ERA in 72.2 innings pitched last year with 61 strikeouts. Nate Grisius was solid out of the bullpen last year with a 2.28 ERA in 23.2 innings pitched with 16 strikeouts.
Outlook for 2019
The lineup loses it’s leadoff and number three hitter from 2018, so that will be hard to replace. They also lose their best starting pitcher but return a lot of experience in the pitching staff.
Holy Cross (2018 Record: 18-27, 11-14)
Holy Cross started off the 2018 season with a big win over Houston. They finished fourth in the Patriot League and faced Navy in the Semifinals. After winning the first game, they lost the next two of the series.
Returning Players
Shortstop Chris Rinaldi is back after hitting .320 last year with 29 runs scored, 10 doubles, 2 home runs, and 13 stolen bases. Outfielder Austin Masel led the team with a .322 average last year to go along with 25 runs scored, 4 home runs, and 25 RBI.
Pat McGowan should return to the weekend rotation after posting a 3.22 ERA in 72.2 innings pitched with 57 strikeouts. Declan Cronin was a solid starter last year as well with a 4.16 ERA in 67 innings pitched with 67 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Freshman outfielder Ben Malgeri has a chance to come in and make an immediate impact on the lineup.
Outlook for 2019
Holy Cross hopes to improve in every area of the game in 2019 (offense, defense, and pitching).
Lafayette (2018 Record: 16-34-1, 4-20-1)
It was not a great 2018 season for Lafayette as they won just four conference games and finished last in the Patriot League.
Returning Players
Outfielder Trey Durrah will be back at the top of the lineup after hitting .306 last season with 23 runs scored, 4 home runs, and 27 RBI. First baseman Richard Villa will need to step up in the lineup after being limited to just 19 games in 2018.
Brett Kreyer will likely be back in the weekend rotation after posting a 5.04 ERA in 2018 over 64.1 innings pitched with 53 strikeouts. JP Woodward could return as the team’s closer after picking up 3 saves last year in 26.1 innings with 26 strikeouts and a 4.78 ERA.
Outlook for 2019
Unfortunately, Lafayette is losing a lot of key players from a lineup that wasn’t great last year. Unless some newcomers have unexpected seasons, it’s hard to see them making up much ground in the Patriot League.
Lehigh (2018 Record: 22-27, 10-15)
Lehigh came up just short of making the Patriot League Championship tournament by one game in 2018. They’ll look to improve on that in 2019.
Returning Players
Tony Gallo hit .314 in just 34 games last year, but he is expected to be a big part of the lineup in 2019 as an infielder. Jeff Shanfeldt will be back behind the plate after hitting .280 a season ago with pair of home runs.
Levi Stoudt will look to lead the weekend rotation after posting a 3.03 ERA last year in 65.1 innings pitched with 67 strikeouts. Jason Reynolds posted a 3.60 ERA in 65 innings pitched with 51 strikeouts. Ethan Frohman was great out of the bullpen in 2018 with a 3.56 ERA in 30.1 innings pitched with 30 strikeouts and 5 saves.
Newcomers
Gerard Sweeney (3B) and Casey Rother (C) are both freshman who could have an immediate impact on the lineup. Mason Black (RHP) and Luke Rettig (LHP) are also freshman who hope to earn some valuable innings on the mound.
Outlook for 2019
“We will be focused on improving on the offensive side. We want to be more consistent in our run production.” – Head Coach Sean Leary
Navy (2018 Record: 38-16, 18-7)
Navy had a great 2018 season nearly winning 40 games and picking up a win over Wake Forest early in the season. However, they fell short of their goal by getting swept in the Patriot League Championship series to Army.
Returning Players
Second baseman Zach Biggers led the team with a .343 average last year to go along with 43 runs scored, 20 doubles, and 32 RBI. Outfielder/DH Liam Lowery hit .312 a season ago with 3 home runs in limited playing time. First baseman/catcher Christian Hodge hit .251 in 2018 with 5 home runs and 34 RBI.
Noah Song will lead the weekend rotation after posting a 1.92 ERA last year in 89 innings pitched with 121 strikeouts. He also have five complete games and four shutouts. Jared Leins was solid out of the bullpen last year with a 3.21 ERA in 42 innings pitched with 52 strikeouts and 5 saves.
Newcomers
Christian Policelli is a freshman who could see time behind the plate, while Matt Wolff is another freshman who will look to be a utility player for Navy in 2019.
Wilson Ayers (LHP) and Dalton Baker (RHP) are both freshman who will look to add some depth to the pitching staff.
Outlook for 2019
The team is hoping to fill in the middle of the lineup after losing Logan Knowles and Stephen Born to graduation.
2019 All-Patriot League Preseason Team
C: Jeff Shanfeldt (Lehigh)
1B: Christian Hodge (Navy)
2B: Zach Biggers (Navy): .343/1/32
SS: Chris Rinaldi (Holy Cross): .320/2/13
3B: Anthony Giachin (Army)
OF: Jacob Hurtubise (Army)
OF: Austin Masel (Holy Cross): .322/4/25
OF: Drake Titus (Army)
DH: Liam Lowery (Navy)
SP: Noah Song (Navy): 1.92/89/121
SP: Tyler Giovinco (Army): 3.26/94/77
SP: Levi Stoudt (Lehigh): 3.03/65.1/67
SP: Daniel Burggraaf (Army): 2.90/62/83
SP: Jeff Gottesman (Bucknell): 2.85/72.2/61
RP: Cam Opp (Army)
RP: Jared Leins (Navy): 3.21/42/52/5
RP: Ethan Frohman (Lehigh): 3.56/30.1/30/5
Honorable Mention:
1B – Tony Gallo (Lehigh)
2B – Josh White (Army): .290/0/38
DH – Dominic Toso (Bucknell)
SP – Declan Cronin (Holy Cross): 4.16/67/67
SP – Pat McGowan (Holy Cross): 3.22/72.2/57
Predicted Order to Finish:
1. Army
2. Navy
3. Holy Cross
4. Bucknell
5. Lehigh
6. Lafayette
