Bulls Continue to Build Solid Foundation

Look to pick up where team left off in record-setting 2009 season

As the 2010 season begins, the University at Buffalo baseball team will look to continue where they left off in 2009, setting the record for most wins (20) since the program's reinstatement in 2000. The return of 17 players from last season's squad and the arrival of 13 transfers and freshmen will give the Bulls a chance to improve on their record-setting 2009 campaign.

PITCHING STAFF

Ron Torgalski

Through the addition of five transfers and six returnees, pitching coach Devin McIntosh will have plenty of experience to rely upon this season. Head coach Ron Torgalski, is looking for this experience to help propel the team into the conference tournament. “On the mound we set out to improve the overall depth and talent of the staff. We feel we have accomplished that goal and look forward to what these guys can do,” said Torgalski.

Seniors Pierre Miville-Deschenes, Chaz Mye and Jesse Reinstein will enter the season as the probable weekend starters for the Bulls. Miville-Deschenes is coming off a junior campaign, earning Mid-American Conference East Division Pitcher of the Week honors twice. The senior started in 13 of his 14 appearances, tied for first in all-time UB career starts. Miville-Deschenes displayed flashes of dominance last season and with improved consistency can become one of the top starters in the MAC.

Pierre Miville-Deschenes

Mye looks to regain the form he showed late in his sophomore season and fulfill the high expectations that come from having the staff’s best arm. So far this fall, Torgalski believes he has found his groove and confidence, making a push for a weekend spot.

Throwing over 50 innings for the Bulls last season, Reinstein will compete for the Bulls’ third spot in the weekend rotation. In both relief and starting roles, Reinstein has been one of UB’s better pitchers the past two seasons, which will help him solidify a weekend spot.

Chaz Mye

After the departure of 2009 MLB draftee Zach Anderson, the Bulls turn to Kevin Crumb to fill the role of closer. Having the lowest ERA among last season’s staff, Crumb had a very solid summer as he gained size and strength. At 6-2, transfer Jeff Thompson has the ability to compete as a closer. Out of Navarro Community College, Thompson will also be counted on to fill the role of short relief. Having experience in both the setup and closer role, Thompson will be a key factor late in any game.

The Bulls have two options to fill the role of midweek starter in transfers Josh Edwards and Brian Pullyblank. Transferring from Colby Community College, Edwards is a crafty lefty. The transfer has competed at a high level and has the numbers to back up his experience with a 3.57 ERA in over 100-plus innings. Pullyblank joins the UB staff from Southern Illinois University, where he spent two seasons. Through limited innings he is now healthy, bringing experience as a fifth-year senior. Pullyblank is a veteran pitcher, who can step in where needed and has taken on a leadership role in what will be his final year of college baseball.

Jesse Reinstein

Competing for innings out of the bullpen are transfers Eric Bryce and Gavin Black and returners Mike Klaus and Jeffrey Hains. Coming to UB from Monterey Peninsula Community College, Bryce gives the Bulls an aspect they have not had as of recently. The transfer has the ability to drop down as a sidearm pitcher, giving the Bulls specialized relief work. Bryce stands out as a leader in the bullpen with his experience at a solid community college program.

Over the past couple seasons, Hains has shown the ability to be an effective starter, but Torgalski views him helping the team as an experienced bullpen arm. Black begins the season as UB’s lone freshman pitcher. The freshman has the potential but needs to gain experience through some work in early innings to gain confidence. As he continues to improve on his ability to be a long reliever, Black has huge upside.

Kevin Crumb

Klaus and senior Shivam Bhan will fill the role of short relievers. Bhan and Klaus each have the ability to get Buffalo out of an inning as well as throw on consecutive days, adding valuable depth.

The Bulls look forward to the return of top incoming recruit Darren Travers. Travers is currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, which took place in the spring of 2009. The 2008 Southern California first team pre-season All-American pitched a pair of shutouts for Cerro Coso Community College in two seasons earning first-team All-Foothills Conference in 2008. At 6-4, Travers has the potential to be a strong option in the Bulls’ staff, once healthy.

Brad Cochrane

CATCHERS

Behind the plate, Buffalo lost two of its four catchers with starter Brad Cochrane and senior Chris Castro remaining. Joining Cochrane and Castro is freshman Tom Murphy.

After transferring from Lon Morris College last season, Cochrane established himself as the starter. His ability as a solid catch and throw guy, displayed his accuracy and defensive leadership. Cochrane ended the season, putting solid numbers up at the plate and the coaching staff expects him to have a solid senior season.

Tom Murphy

Pushing Cochrane for playing time will be Murphy, who runs well, shows power and has arm strength to go along with his big and strong physical frame. The freshman has the potential to shut down an opposing team’s running game. There will be a time of adjustment for Murphy but the coaching staff believes that he will be splitting time with Cochrane. The presence of Cochrane and Murphy provides the Bulls with solid options behind the plate.

As the third catcher, Castro will be pushing for time. The senior is continuing to rehab from an injury and has continued to make progress in his attempt to return to full health.

INFIELDERS

This year’s infield lineup will look identical to last year’s with the exception of former second baseman Brian Randazzo, who has joined the Bulls’ coaching staff as a student assistant coach. Among the four positions, seniors will fill three of the open slots with the last filled by a newcomer.

Rob Lawler

Returning to first base is senior Rob Lawler. In his first year with the Bulls last season, the Santa Fe Community College transfer earned MAC East Division Player of the Week honors, batting .310 with 40 RBIs, 16 doubles and five home runs. The senior made defensive strides around the bag, playing first base for the first time in his career. His performance at first will help solidify the infield for the Bulls.

Backing up Lawler is freshman Nick Jasinski. Arriving from St. Francis High School, the local product has continued to work on his defensive abilities at first but does have a chance to swing the bat for the Bulls. Combined with his knowledge at the plate, Jasinski’s lengthy frame of 6-4, makes him a viable option for Buffalo as a designated hitter.

Jacob Rosenbeck

At the opposite corner will be fifth-year senior Jacob Rosenbeck, who missed over the last month of season due to injury. He enters the season, coming off a great summer with the Holyoke Blue Sox of the New England Collegiate Baseball League where he was selected as the Most Valuable Player in the 2009 NECBL All-Star Game. The key is Rosenbeck’s health, which has been an issue he has battled throughout his career.

In the same mold as Rosenbeck, freshman Ryan Tulloch will serve as the backup third baseman. Like Rosenbeck, Tulloch is also a lefty, which will bring diversity to the batting order. Although currently situated as a backup, the freshman has potential to step in and contribute. Since he has arrived on campus, Tulloch has taken great steps in preparing for his freshman campaign.

Brad Agustin

Joining Lawler in the infield is shortstop and fellow senior Brad Agustin. Last season, Agustin played both shortstop and second base from time to time. In the summer, the senior had a solid outing with the Martinsville Mustangs of the Coastal Plains League. Agustin will look to build off last season’s totals, hitting .332 to finish third on the team. Working hard in the weight room to add power and strength to his compact frame, the senior has the potential to reach .350. The combination of Agustin and Rosenbeck on the left side will bring a challenge to an opposing team's hitting strategies.

With three of the four infield positions solidified by seniors, the final position will be filled by freshman Alex Baldock. After playing four years at shortstop, Baldock will slide over to second base. The freshman has the physical attributes to be a dominant second baseman in the field and at the plate. At 6-3, he has the wing span to cover the right-field gap, which will bring an defensive aspect to the Bulls’ lineup. Since his arrival on campus, Baldock has added size to his frame and has spent extra time with hitting coach Jim Koerner. The coaching staff believes the addition of Baldock to the lineup will add some pop to the lineup and a blue-collar attitude.

Alex Baldock

The Bulls will miss the services of sophomore and two-way player River McWilliams. Unfortunately he will miss the entire 2010 season due to ACL surgery in the off-season. As a freshman, McWilliams hit .368 in 13 appearances and also threw over 20 innings on the mound. The coaching staff looks forward to a healthy return in the fall of 2010.

OUTFIELDERS

In the outfield, the Bulls return two of their three starters in seniors Adam Skonieczki and Charlie Karstedt. Returning to center field will be Skonieczki. Last season, Skonieczki had a solid year for the Bulls in many aspects. The senior batted .338 on his way to breaking the UB single-season runs scored record. In each year, his numbers have increased as he showed continual progress in his development.

Adam Skonieczki

Returning to right field is fifth-year senior Karstedt. In his first season as a starter, the Eden-native set career highs in each batting category, ranking first on the team in triples (6) and RBIs (46). Karstedt brings a hard work ethic and veteran leadership in every aspect of his game whether on or off the field. His ability to deliver at the plate and in the outfield is what sets him a part as a veteran leader.

At left field, there is a battle at stake for the final outfield position between senior Bobby Pizzuto and freshman David Neff. In Pizzuto, the Bulls have an outfielder with tremendous potential, however he has been hampered by acute injuries and has now returned to full health. The senior provides the Bulls with a left-handed hitter in the batting order and a dynamic presence on the bases giving the Bulls a situational player.

Charlie Karstedt

Competing very closely with Pizzuto is Neff. Transferring from Cerritos Community College, Neff has a strong arm and offensive ability. The competition has been tremendous between the junior college transfer and Pizzuto, which will demand the best from each player. As a situational player, Pizzuto has the ability to play designated hitter if Neff captures the left field opening.

Behind the three starters are freshman Matt Pollock and redshirt-freshmen Zach Papesh and Jason Kanzler. Pollock joins the Bulls after three years at Walsh Jesuit in Ohio, one of the top-10 high school programs in the nation. His raw strength and frame, provides Buffalo a great option. The freshman will wait his turn but the coaching staff believes he can contribute in the time he receives this season.

David Neff

Showing continual offensive and defensive improvements, Papesh will have the chance to see more playing time as he develops. It is likely that he could be an option as a designated hitter as the season progresses. Possibly the best all around athlete on the team, Kanzler has the chance to contribute in a utility role. The redshirt-freshman transfer comes to UB from Northeastern. The pop in his bat combined with his speed gives the Bulls an additional situational player, specifically as a pinch runner due to his quickness off the bag. Despite the youthfulness of these three players, the presence of the veteran starters will give the players time to learn and develop.

SCHEDULE

Bobby Pizzuto

Each season, the Bulls assemble a strong, challenging non-conference schedule to prepare for its MAC schedule. This season is no different.

Buffalo opens the 2010 season with 18 road contests. The Bulls begin the season in North Carolina on February 26 in a three-game set against the Charlotte 49ers, who captured Atlantic-10 Championships in 2007 and 2008.

Following the Bulls’ trip to North Carolina, Buffalo travels to Kentucky for a six-game set. On March 5, Buffalo faces Morehead State in a four-game set including a doubleheader on March 6. Remaining in the Bluegrass State, UB slides over to NAIA member Georgetown College for a pair of games on March 9 and 10, marking the first meeting between the two teams. Moving south, UB faces the 2009 Ohio Valley Conference champion Tennessee Tech for the first time in program history in a four-game set on February 12-14 with a twinbill on March 13.

Zach Papesh

Remaining on the road for a four-game set, UB faces Horizon League member Butler for the first time on March 19-21, including a doubleheader on March 20. Buffalo returns close to home on March 23 for a midweek contest versus Big Four rival Canisius. Last season, UB went 0-3 against Canisius including a runner-up finish to the Golden Griffins in the Bulls’ first ever appearance in the Big Four Classic Final.

On March 26-28, UB opens conference play by hosting Eastern Michigan for a weekend series. The matchup will mark the first conference series between the two teams since the 2007 season.

To close out the month of March, UB travels to Olean, NY for a midweek contest against St. Bonaventure on March 30. The Bulls held a 3-2 advantage over the Bonnies in their five contests during the 2009 season.

Brian Pullyblank

In April, the Bulls travel to Northern Illinois on April 2-4 before returning home versus Toledo on April 9-11 and a doubleheader versus St. Bonaventure for a five-game homestand.

The Bulls hit the road against Big Four rival Niagara on April 14, who the Bulls posted a perfect record of 2-0 against in the 2009 season. On April 16-18, UB travels to Ball State for their second road conference series of the season.

During the week of April 19, Buffalo returns home for a five-game homestand. The Bulls begin the week hosting familiar Big Four rivals Canisius and Niagara on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. On April 23-25, UB hosts Kent State at the Audubon. During the Golden Flashes visit last season, the Bulls upset the 23rd nationally-ranked team twice in the three-game series.

The next eight games for the Bulls will be on the road with a doubleheader at Le Moyne on April 28. The Bulls play back-to-back road conference series versus Akron on April 30, May 1-2 and versus Ohio on May 7-9.

In the Bulls’ final month of baseball, only three of their final 11 games of the 2010 season will be played at the Audubon. On May 14-16, Buffalo will host Miami (OH) in its lone conference home series.

Buffalo will finish the 2010 season how they started it, on the road. The Bulls will travel to Bowling Green to face the reigning East Division champions in their last conference matchup on May 20-22, leading up to the MAC Championships on May 26-29 in Chilicothe, OH.