February 5, 2009

BULLDOGS READY TO TAKE ON DIVISION I COMPETITION IN 2009; RELY ON SENIOR LEADERSHIP AND MIX OF YOUNG AND OLD TALENT TO CONTINUE SUCCESS AT NEXT LEVEL

The Bryant University baseball team, fresh off a school-record 43 wins, a Northeast-10 Championship and an NCAA Northeast Regional final in 2008, will make the transition this spring to Division I baseball. Bryant will kick off its inaugural DI campaign with a four-game series at Mercer College in Macon, Ga. on February 27. The first chance to see the Bulldogs at the Bryant Baseball Complex will come on March 18 when they host Boston College at 3:30 p.m.

Here is a look into the 2009 Bulldogs as spring practice begins and Bryant prepares itself for a new era in Bulldog baseball.

Pitching
Seniors Kevin Cobb (Acton, Mass.) and Dan Lozeau (Pelham, N.H.) will return to pace the starting rotation in 2009 after playing key starting roles last season for the Bulldogs. Both Cobb and Lozeau provide a veteran presence for the staff and have been keys to the Bulldogs' success on the mound over the past three seasons.

Cobb (6-2, 4.90 ERA in 2008) showcases a strong three-pitch mix and has the ability to take the Bulldogs deep into his starts. The senior fanned a team-best 56 hitters last season and looks to remain the team's strikeout leader in his senior campaign.

Lozeau (5-3, 3.70) finished second in nation in walks per nine innings in 2008 and has been a consistent and durable starter throughout his Bryant career.

For the 2009 season, the Bulldogs will bring junior Eric Polvani (Wallingford, Conn.) out of the bullpen and into the starting rotation. Polvani, the Bulldogs' star closer who recorded a Bryant record 13 saves in 2008, appears poised for another big season in his new role in 2009.

To fill the void left by Polvani at the back end of the bullpen, head coach Jamie Pinzino will turn to junior Brent Almieda (4-4, 3.18), who spent time as a starter last season, and the team's only lefty in sophomore Mark Andrews (2-0, 1.89 in 28 appearances). Both hurlers excelled in key spots for the Bulldogs last season and will provide Bryant with multiple late-inning options.

Sophomore John Michael Ryan (3-0, 5.00) will once again be a key setup option for the Bulldogs.

The depth of the Bulldogs' staff will once again be a key in 2009, as several pitchers could be used in a variety of roles. Hard-throwing senior Chris Foundas (Needham, Mass.) and juniors Tom Baker (West Brookfield, Mass.) and Nick Laude (Wells, Maine) all had strong fall seasons and will compete for time on the mound.

Sophomores Matt Griswold (Berlin, Conn.), Dan Walsh (Burlington, Mass.) , Scott Merritt (Norwalk, Conn.), Chris Costa (Lynnfield, Mass.) and Sean McNiff (Andover, Mass.) have all benefited from their freshman campaigns and look to compete for increased roles on the staff in 2009. Classmate and standout pitcher David O'Brien (7-1, 2.27) will miss the 2009 season due to injury and return to the mound in 2010.

Talented freshmen Rocco Cundari (Norwalk, Conn.), Ross Fino (Ashland, Mass.) and Brian O'Neil (North Reading, Mass.) will all look to contribute in their first seasons at Bryant.

Catcher
Junior Jeff Vigurs (South Windor, Conn.) returns for his third season as a starter for the Bulldogs in 2009. Vigurs (.279 BA, 40 RBI) provides strong defense and works well with the pitching staff, assets that compliment his offensive production. Vigurs has excelled in clutch situations both at and behind the plate during his first two seasons and will be a key in leading the Bulldogs' lineup as they see more competitive pitching at the Division I level.

After a strong fall season defensively, freshman Todd Stewart (Longmeadow, Mass.) will settle into the backup role behind the dish with senior Jon Beauregard (New Bedford, Mass.) providing additional veteran presence and support at catcher. Freshman Mike DelPonte (Tewksbury, Mass.), showed some offensive promise at the plate in the fall and could fill a variety of roles in 2009.

Infield
Senior Pat McKenna (Orange, Conn.) returns for his fourth season as Bryant's shortstop. McKenna (.305, 5 HR, 41 RBI) provides leadership, outstanding defense and a productive middle-of-the-lineup bat for the Bulldogs. A three-time returning captain, he will once again be a key to the team's success in 2009.

Junior Dylan Stone (.293, 37 RBI) slides from first base back to his natural second base spot for the 2009 season after the graduation of last year's second baseman Dave Muscatello. Sophomore Tim Norton (Barnstable, Mass.) will get the nod at third base while freshman Jamie Skagerlind (Holden, Mass.) will take over at first. Both Norton and Skagerlind had productive fall seasons and must be important contributors this spring.

Infield depth is provided by sophomores Colin Dougherty (Lowell, Mass.), a player who is capable of providing solid defense all over the infield, and Greg Najarian (Rumford, R.I.), who worked mostly at first during the fall. Freshmen John Burke (Oxford, Mass.), Mike Mattei (Spencer, Mass.) and Dan Mello (Peabody, Mass.) give the Bulldogs additional support and infield depth and will compete for playing time in 2009.

Outfield
Senior Pat O'Connor (Mattapoisett, Mass.) and junior Nick Campbell (Raynham, Mass.) both return to solidify the Bulldogs' outfield in 2009. O'Connor (.296, 11 HR, 50 RBI) will return to his left field spot and provide Bryant with veteran leadership and a strong all-around game. Campbell (.358, 45 RBI), a speedy player with a consistently big bat, will start in center for the third-consecutive season. Bryant's leading hitter in 2008, Campbell was a First-Team All-Region selection in 2008 and was honored with a Rawlings Gold Glove Award for his play in centerfield.

Sophomore Jordan English (Windsor Locks, Conn.) and freshman Connor Carignan (Norwich, Conn.) will each see playing time in right field this spring. Both provide solid speed and defense and continue to improve their offensive game.

The 2009 Bulldogs open their inaugural Division I season at Mercer College in Georgia, where they will take on their hosts on Feb. 27-March 1 before returning North to take on the University of Hartford on March 3 and 4. Bryant won't return to Smithfield, R.I. until its hosts Boston College on Wednesday, March 18 at 3:30 p.m.