The Patriot League announced Wednesday that its reigning champions Army West Point baseball were projected to defend their title heading into the 2019 campaign. The Black Knights had a league-best six 2019 Preseason All-Patriot League selections and received 44 points and eight first-place votes in the poll. Navy and its three preseason selections picked up 36 points and two first-place votes, while Bucknell had four preseason all-league honorees and finished third in the poll with 34 points. Holy Cross had two preseason all-league selections and finished fourth with 27 points with Lehigh (25 points) and Lafayette (14 points) rounding out the poll. The defending Patriot League Champions (37-24 overall, 18-7 Patriot League) return a pair of second-team all-league starting pitchers with firstie right-hander Daniel Burggraaf (7-3, 2.90 ERA) and firstie left-hander Tyler Giovinco (9-5, 3.26 ERA). Firstie lefty reliever Cam Opp (5-2, 2.66 ERA, 4 saves) gives the Cadets an effective arm out of the bullpen. Yearling third baseman Anthony Giachin (.288, 2 HR, 33 RBI) returns after earning rookie of the year and tournament MVP honors, while all-league cow centerfielder Jacob Hurtubise (.278, 56 R, 42 SB) will also be back to help lead the offense. Read more.
