UB Baseball Opens 2015 Campaign In North Carolina
2/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo, The State University of New York baseball squad opens up their 2015 season on Friday afternoon in Boiling Springs, NC as they will take on the James Madison on Friday at 1:00 pm. The Bulls will then take on the host Bulldogs on Saturday at none and Sunday at 1:00 pm.
"The guys are really excited to get outside and start playing," said head coach Ron Torgalski. "The commitment and work ethic of the whole group has been tremendous so far it's a young inexperienced group but I feel there is a lot of talent here."
Fifteen seasons as a Division I program is not much time to define a program tradition, but with all five 20-win seasons coming in the last six years, a tradition of winning is quickly being established by ninth-year head coach Ron Torgalski.
The Bulls are coming off of a MAC semifinal appearance, their second in three years, and a 26-26 overall record. The 26 wins are the second most in the modern era and fourth most in program history.
Pitching Staff
To say that the UB pitching staff has flourished under Torgalski and fifth-year pitching coach Steve Ziroli would be an understatement. The Bulls pitching staff has turned into a strength of the team over the past five seasons.
Leading the Bulls rotation this season will be senior left-hander Mike McGee who is looking for a bounce back season following his 2014 campaign that saw him go 1-3 with a 5.35 ERA in 35.1 innings of action. The Bulls weekend starters are projected to be senior Anthony Magovney and junior Ben Hartz. Magovney will aim to become the ace of the staff following a solid junior season that saw him go 6-4 with a 4.12 ERA in 78.2 innings of work. Hartz will look to regain his form on the mound from his freshman campaign when he was named to the Louisville Freshman All-American team after posting six wins, a save and a 2.01 ERA.
Redshirt sophomore Mike Kaelin will give the Bulls a legitimate threat at the end of their bullpen who can shut down not only righty batters, but also lefties. The Cheektowaga, NY native was great for the Bulls during his freshman season as he posted the second-best ERA in program history (0.82) while also earning a 4-1 record and one save.
Providing some much needed depth to the pitching staff will be Brent Cleland, Alec Tuohy and senior Brandon Bentley.
Infielders / Outfielders
Losing your whole starting infield and two thirds of their starting outfield is not ideal, but the Bulls have capable players ready to step up and make a difference this season. Taking over as the Bulls go to hitter in the lineup, Nick Sinay will be leaned on heavily to get on base and score runs for UB this season. Sinay started all 51 games while racking up 45 hits, 23 RBI's and a team-leading 45 runs scored. He also had one of the most successful seasons on the base paths in program history as he was 31-35 on his steal attempts and had a .442 on-base percentage. The Marcellus, NY native also set a program-record and led the MAC after being hit by 25 pitches on the season.
"Offensively the group will be led by Nick Sinay who is a dynamic player that brings a lot to the table offensively," stated Torgalski. "He will get on base any way possible and is always a threat to steal bases."
Taking over the first base duties will be Vinny Mallaro who will provide the Bulls with some pop in the middle of their lineup. Mallaro started 23 games, most at the designated hitter position, last season while posting a .289 batting average, two home runs and 22 RBI's, ranking fifth on the squad as a true freshman.
Chris Kwitzer will take over the starting third base duties as a sophomore after earning 14 starts last season as a true freshman. Kwitzer recorded 14 hits while racking up nine runs scored and nine RBI's in his limited at bats.
"Vinny Mallaro and Chris Kwitzer will both be middle of the order guys capable of hitting for both power and average for us this season as well," said Torgalski.
Rounding out the infield will be Brian Dudek at second base and Kyle Brennan at catcher. Dudek made 42 starts at second last season and finished with a .221 batting average as a true freshman. The Cheektowaga, NY native notched 17 runs and nine RBI's while ranking fifth on the squad with 21 walks on the year.
Brennan takes over the every day catching duties this year after posting career-highs in hits (18), RBI's (nine), doubles (five) and home runs (two) as a sophomore. Brennan has loads of talent behind the plate as he has a very strong arm, which will make teams think twice about stealing on him. He has continued to improve at the plate and will be leaned on heavily to produce for the young Bulls.
Cleland will also likely take over the starting right field duties from a departed Mike Richards. Cleland only had two at-bats last season but appeared in 27 innings on the mound, earning a 1-0 record and a 5.00 ERA.
Newcomers
The Bulls are replacing 11 seniors of a season ago and they will be looking for some help from some of their 11 new faces. Eight of the 11 newcomers to UB are freshman with three players coming from the junior college ranks a season ago. Junior Mike Abrunzo will likely take over the starting left field position from Matt Pollock who graduated following the 2014 season. Abrunzo has the experience and talent to make an impact right away, not just defensively but also at the plate for the Bulls.
After a successful career at Prairie State College, Bobby Sheppard comes to Buffalo with his sights set on a starting spot in the Bulls infield. The Bulls lost multiple starters from their stout infield a season ago, giving Sheppard the opportunity to be a special player for UB this season. Blair Lakso will also appear out of the UB bullpen after transferring in from Erie Community College. The local product has a strong arm and will add another righty to the bullpen.
"A Couple of new guys that could step in and help right away are a pair of junior college transfers, Mike Abrunzo and Bobby Shepperd," said Torgalski. "Both guys have put up big numbers at the JUCO level and are capable of doing the same for us. Shepperd had been slowed by an injury but we are optimistic that he will be ready soon and make an impact."
Also looking to make an impact for UB this season are freshman Eddie Edwards III, Tom Taplin, Ben Vey, Mitchell Machi, Tyler Utz, Charlie Sobieraski, Logan Harasta and Andrew Taft.
Following the season-opening three game weekend down in North Carolina, the Bulls will head to Virginia for a four game set at Virginia Military Institution.
