Meet the Bulldogs… Champions of the America East
Who’s the Pack playing?
Opponent: Bryant
Mascot: Such a Good Boy | School Location: Smithfield, RI | Conference: America East
2024 Record: 36-19 (17-7, 1st) | 2024 RPI Rank: 115
2023 Record: 26-24 (12-12, T-3rd) | 2023 RPI Rank: 156
2022 Record: 30-27 (17-10, T-2nd) | 2022 RPI Rank: 107
When? Where? How do I watch?
Location: Doak Field at Dail Park (Raleigh, NC)
Game Time: Fri, May 31 @ 7:00pm
TV: ESPN+
Live Stats: NCAA.com
Tell me about this team
Bryant University’s baseball program started play at the NCAA level in 1969, competing at the D-II level through the 2008 season. The Bulldogs made the 2004 NCAA D-II College World Series and also made NCAA D-II postseason appearances in 2007 and 2008 prior to moving up to the D-I level.
That transition to D-I has gone as well as could be expected. After operating as an independent school in 2009, the Bulldogs joined the Northeast Conference and proceed to win 10 NEC regular season titles and 3 NEC tournament titles in their 12 full seasons as a member before heading to the America East Conference last year.
Current head coach Ryan Klosterman took over the program ahead of the 2020 season (what a year to cut your teeth as a head coach) and won the 2021 NEC Coach-of-the-Year award after winning the conference title in his first full year at the helm. Among the more noteworthy accomplishments for Bryant under Klosterman was the Bulldogs sweeping a season-opening series in Greenville, NC, over an East Carolina squad that would go on to host a Super Regional that year. Klosterman won the America East Coach-of-the-Year award this year.
This Bryant team played the majority of their games against Quad 4 opponents, but really dominated in those affairs, posting a 30-5 record. In Quad 1, 2, and 3 games, though, the Bulldogs were just 6-14, including an 0-6 mark in Quad 1 games. There will be nothing but Quad 1 games from here on out for Bryant.
After a 1-7 start this year, the Bulldogs really hit their stride, going 29-5 over their next 34 games. The mojo appeared to fade with a 6-7 finish to the regular season, although they still captured the America East title by three games. Bryant rebounded to go undefeated through the America East tournament, using a 5-run 8th inning to top UMBC for the crown and NCAA Regional berth.
The team is built on the backs of experienced players, strong starting pitching, and a contact-oriented lineup. The bullpen is the weakness of the team due to control issues, but that has been minimized by a starting rotation that averages a hair under 5.1 IP per outing.
The lineup is hitting a collective .282/.394/.490, 11.1 BB%, 20.4 K%, 56-72 SB on the year. That strikeout rate is a bit inflated thanks to the non-starters, all of whom sport K rates north of 22.0%. Not everyone in the lineup is going to challenge you on the bases, but there are four players with 8 or more stolen bases on the year, so there are multiple options to swipe a bag at a given time. They’ve been really hot of late, averaging 8.2 runs/game over the last 18 games.
Starting pitching was a strength with a strong three-man weekend rotation. Sunday man Tyler Horvat went down with an injury and hasn’t pitched since April 21st, which has been a major blow, but still didn’t stop the team from capturing the conference title. Considering Bryant lost their top two pitchers from last year’s team to the MLB Draft, the staff has overall been strong. The bullpen has been an issue, but has had its moments.
All in all, this has been a great season from a team that was picked to finish towards the bottom of the America East standings. With the experienced roster and strong starting pitching, this is a team capable of springing an upset or two.
(Probable) Pitching Matchup
Friday: RHP Sam Highfill (SR) — RHP Austin Wainer (SR)
Key Players:
Offense
LF Gavin Noriega (SR) – .338/.479/.692, 16.5 BB%, 13.0 K%, 9-10 SB. The America East Player-of-the-Year and 1st Team All-Conference this year. The stocky lefty is a former transfer from Marist who took a big step up this year after hitting just .190/.288/.291 in 2023 for the Bulldogs. The power has been a real surprise as he’s cranked 18 HR this year after hitting just 7 total over his first two collegiate seasons.2B Zac Zyons (SO) – .377/.477/.611, 7.6 BB%, 14.7 K%, 3-6 SB. 1st Team All-Conference this year and an America East All-Rookie team selection in 2023. The lefty leadoff hitter missed the first 11 games of the year, but has been on fire since. Has hits in 30 of his last 32 games. Solid in the field with defensive flexibility.
SS Chris Einemann (SR) – .293/.360/.407, 4.1 BB%, 9.4 K%, 8-10 SB. 1st Team All-Conference this year after transferring from D-II Molloy College. A bit of a surprise contributor this year considering he struggled last year at the D-II level, but the 6’5, 200 pounder has 11 multi-hit games on the season.
C Jackson Phinney (SR) – .281/.373/.510, 7.8 BB%, 28.5 K%, 1-1 SB. 2nd Team All-Conference this year. Started his college career at Pittsburgh before transferring ahead of the 2022 season and has been Bryant’s primary catcher ever since. Has thrown out 8-of-26 (30.8%) attempted base stealers this year, right in line with his career number (29.8%). Passed balls can be an issue. Currently riding a 9-game hitting streak.
1B Carmine Petosa (SR) – .321/.476/.642, 17.1 BB%, 14.3 K%, 0-0 SB. 2nd Team All-Conference this year and also a 2nd Team All-Conference selection in 2022. Started his career at Wake Forest (HBP in his only PA with the Deacs). The stout lefty went on a tear in the America East tournament, going 8-for-14 with 3 2B, 3 HR, 5 R, and 7 RBI. Has 28 career home runs.
RF Matt Smith (rSR) – .333/.384/.500, 5.8 BB%, 13.0 K%, 0-3 SB. 2nd Team All-Conference this year. The slender lefty hitter from Philly has mostly been a back-up in his career, but came on strong this year, especially in the America East tournament (went 6-for-13 with a HR, 2 R, and 3 RBI).
Pitching
RHP Austin Wainer (SR) – 7-2, 4.03 ERA, 80.1 IP, 6.4 BB%, 18.6 K%. 1st Team All-Conference this year. An undersized guy at 5’8, 165 lbs, he’s taken to his first year as a starter incredibly well. Not an overpowering guy, but pounds the zone and can work deep into games (has gone 6.0+ IP in 8 of his last 10 starts).
RHP Luke Delongchamp (JR) – 5-2, 2.48 ERA, 65.1 IP, 6.5 BB%, 21.1 K%. 1st Team All-Conference this year after transferring in from Boston College. Has allowed 1 ER or fewer in 10 of 14 outings this year.
RHP Tyler Horvat (rSR) – 4-2, 3.27 ERA, 55.0 IP, 4.4 BB%, 18.5 K%. 2nd Team All-Conference this year. Grad transfer from D-III Washington & Jefferson College where he went 29-4 over 36 starts and was a 2023 1st Team D3 All-American. As mentioned, was the Sunday starter and pitching incredibly strong until an injury during his April 21st start. Prior to that, he had put together five straight outings of 7.0+ IP and 2 R or fewer.
LHP Zachary Nichols (rSR) – 2-0, 8 SV, 5.79 ERA, 23.1 IP, 14.7 BB%, 22.0 K%. Grad transfer from D-III Wheaton College where he was an outstanding closer in 2023. Has tossed scoreless outings in 14 of his 21 appearances this year.
RHP Liam LeVangie (SR) – 2-1, 8.37 ERA, 33.1 IP, 7.2 BB%, 19.8 K%. Has tossed 120.0 IP in his career over 65 appearances, including 12 starts. A multi-inning guy who stepped up into the Sunday role after the injury to Horvat.
RHP Jack Pletter (rSR) – 1-1, 1 SV, 5.28 ERA, 30.2 IP, 9.4 BB%, 18.8 K%. Grad transfer from D-III Colby College where he split time as a starter and reliever. Has the ability to go multiple innings, including tossing 3.0 IP of 1 R ball against Pitt in the Bulldogs 11-8 win over the Panthers on April 26th.
Quick! Fun Facts!
This is Bryant’s fourth NCAA Regional appearance at the D-I level, but their first as a 4-seed, having previously playing in the 2013 Manhattan (KS), 2014 Baton Rouge (LA), and 2016 Charlottesville (VA) Regionals.
In 2013, 3-seed Bryant knocked off 2-seed Arkansas in their opener, 4-1, before dropping their next two games against 1-seed Kansas State (1-7) and the rematch against Arkansas (3-12).
The 2014 Regional was especially heartbreaking for Bryant as the 3-seed Bulldogs lost both games in extra innings, 2-3 to 2-seed Houston and 1-2 to 4-seed Southeastern Louisiana.
The 2016 Regional saw Bryant earn their highest seeding as a 2-seed but lost to 3-seed East Carolina (1-9) and 4-seed William & Mary (3-4).
The Key To A Win For State
Get to the Bryant bullpen and then work the counts. Force the relievers to throw enough innings and they’ll give up some freebies. That’s when State can capitalize.
Prediction
Bryant is not going to be a pushover here. This is a good team that should stick with State for a good chunk of the game, but ultimately it’s the lack of quality bullpen depth that gives the Wolfpack the advantage.
Outcome: Pack prevail, 8-5.