CU Baseball Preview - at Vassar (3/29-30)

By: March 28, 2019

Connor Koehler

Men's Baseball | 3/28/2019 3:35:00 PM

After 10 games of non-league play, the Clarkson University Baseball team opens up the conference slate this weekend as it begins with a four-game Liberty League set at Vassar College on Friday and Saturday.

Live Stats/Live Video

The Series: Clarkson has handled Vassar in recent years, including a 3-1 record against the Brewers in 2018 (3-1, 9-2, 4-0, 1-6). The Golden Knights are 11-2 in the last four years versus Vassar, which also includes an 11-1 during the 2017 Liberty League Tournament where the Knights sent the Brewers home in an elimination game.

Key Stats for Clarkson (4-6): The pitching staff of Clarkson has a collective 5.58 earned run average, but the Knights are striking out more than a hitter per inning with 83 whiffs in 80.2 frames. Mark Connor (17 strikeouts/14.2 innings), Ryan Riley (16 strikeouts/14 innings) and Mike Bubniak (13 strikeouts, 13.2 innings) have maintained their stuff into the latter frames for solid strikeout totals. At the plate, Mike Tito leads the team with a .407/.553/.481 slash line, owning his high on-base percentage to a team-best nine walks. Vincent Granuzzo also is reaching base at better than a .500 clip (.514) with a .333 batting average and eight walks. Tommy Bianchi ranks second in the conference in triples with four and is hitting .343/.439/.600 with a team-high 10 runs scored. Clarkson is fielding .965 as a team.

Key Stats for Vassar (8-7): With 38 doubles in 15 games, the Brewers have a surprisingly low slugging percentage at .386, but Vassar makes up for it by adding extra bases via the steal, with 24 swipes in 29 chances so far. Matt Martino leads the team on offense with a .393/.477/.554 slash line, which includes nine doubles, 12 runs scored and 12 runs batted in. Taylor Smith also is hitting .333/.385/.556 and he is joined by five other players on the Vassar roster who are hitting .300 or better among players with at least 25 plate appearances. On the mound, Max Spencer owns a 1.56 earned run average with 13 strikeouts in 17.1 innings, having worked out of plenty of jams due to 12 walks. Matt McGannon also has struck out 17 hitters in 16.1 innings of work.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#18 Mike Bubniak: LHP; 5' 11"; Senior; L/L

#20 Mark Connor: RHP; 6' 1"; Junior; R/R

#29 Vincent Granuzzo: LHP/IF; 6' 1"; Senior; R/L

#34 Ryan Riley: RHP; 6' 1"; Senior; R/R

#23 Tommy Bianchi: OF; 5' 10"; Sophomore; L/L

Players Mentioned

#18 Mike Bubniak
: 5' 11"; Senior; L/L
: LHP

#20 Mark Connor
: 6' 1"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

#29 Vincent Granuzzo
: 6' 1"; Senior; R/L
: LHP/IF

#34 Ryan Riley
: 6' 1"; Senior; R/R
: RHP

#23 Tommy Bianchi
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; L/L
: OF