Baseball Projected First in Patriot League Preseason Poll

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.