Army West Point Athletics
Army Projected First in Patriot League Preseason Poll
January 30, 2019 | Baseball
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – The Patriot League announced Wednesday that its reigning champions Army West Point baseball were projected to defend their title heading into the 2019 campaign.
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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.
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The defending Patriot League Champions (37-24 overall, 18-7 Patriot League) return a pair of second-team all-league starting pitchers with senior right-hander Daniel Burggraaf (7-3, 2.90 ERA) and senior left-hander Tyler Giovinco (9-5, 3.26 ERA). Senior lefty reliever Cam Opp (5-2, 2.66 ERA, 4 saves) gives the Cadets an effective arm out of the bullpen. Sophomore third baseman Anthony Giachin (.288, 2 HR, 33 RBI) returns after earning rookie of the year and tournament MVP honors, while all-league junior centerfielder Jacob Hurtubise (.278, 56 R, 42 SB) will also be back to help lead the offense.
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Overall, 11 of the 15 preseason honorees earned 2018 All-Patriot League Team praise. Seven preseason all-League selections were named to the 2018 first-team, while four made the second-team.
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Army will open its 2019 campaign Friday, Feb. 15, when it takes on Air Force down in Baton Rouge, La. That game is slated for noon at LSU's Alex Box Stadium.
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Voting for the Patriot League baseball preseason major awards, all-League squad and poll were conducted by League head coaches and sports information directors. Neither group was permitted to vote for their own team or student-athletes.
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2019 Patriot League Baseball Preseason Poll
1. Army West Point, 44 points (8 first-place votes)
2. Navy,      36 points (2 first-place votes)
3. Bucknell,    34 points (2 first-place votes)
4. Holy Cross,   27 points
5. Lehigh,     25 points
6. Lafayette,    14 points
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2019 Patriot League Baseball Major Awards
Preseason Player of the Year:Â Â Zach Biggers, Navy, Jr., 2B
Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Noah Song, Navy, Sr., RHP
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2019 Patriot League Baseball Preseason All-League Team*
SP: Tyler Giovinco,  Army West Point, Sr., LHP
SP: Daniel Burggraaf, Army West Point, Sr., RHP
SP: Jeff Gottesman,  Bucknell,    Sr., RHP
SP: Noah Song,    Navy,      Sr., RHP
RP: Cam Opp,     Army West Point, Sr., RHP
C: Evan Klugerman,  Bucknell,    Sr.
1B: John McKenna,   Army West Point, Jr.
1B: Tyler Wincig,   Bucknell,    Jr.
2B: Zach Biggers,   Navy,      Jr.
SS: Chris Rinaldi,  Holy Cross,   Jr.
3B: Anthony Giachin, Army West Point, So.
OF: Jacob Hurtubise, Army West Point, Jr.
OF: JohnPaul Bell,  Bucknell,    Jr.
OF: Austin Masel,   Holy Cross,   Jr.
DH: Liam Lowery,   Navy,      Sr.
*Four starting pitchers and two first basemen are included due to ties in the voting. Â
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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.
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The defending Patriot League Champions (37-24 overall, 18-7 Patriot League) return a pair of second-team all-league starting pitchers with senior right-hander Daniel Burggraaf (7-3, 2.90 ERA) and senior left-hander Tyler Giovinco (9-5, 3.26 ERA). Senior lefty reliever Cam Opp (5-2, 2.66 ERA, 4 saves) gives the Cadets an effective arm out of the bullpen. Sophomore third baseman Anthony Giachin (.288, 2 HR, 33 RBI) returns after earning rookie of the year and tournament MVP honors, while all-league junior centerfielder Jacob Hurtubise (.278, 56 R, 42 SB) will also be back to help lead the offense.
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Overall, 11 of the 15 preseason honorees earned 2018 All-Patriot League Team praise. Seven preseason all-League selections were named to the 2018 first-team, while four made the second-team.
Â
Army will open its 2019 campaign Friday, Feb. 15, when it takes on Air Force down in Baton Rouge, La. That game is slated for noon at LSU's Alex Box Stadium.
Â
Voting for the Patriot League baseball preseason major awards, all-League squad and poll were conducted by League head coaches and sports information directors. Neither group was permitted to vote for their own team or student-athletes.
Â
2019 Patriot League Baseball Preseason Poll
1. Army West Point, 44 points (8 first-place votes)
2. Navy,      36 points (2 first-place votes)
3. Bucknell,    34 points (2 first-place votes)
4. Holy Cross,   27 points
5. Lehigh,     25 points
6. Lafayette,    14 points
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2019 Patriot League Baseball Major Awards
Preseason Player of the Year:Â Â Zach Biggers, Navy, Jr., 2B
Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Noah Song, Navy, Sr., RHP
Â
2019 Patriot League Baseball Preseason All-League Team*
SP: Tyler Giovinco,  Army West Point, Sr., LHP
SP: Daniel Burggraaf, Army West Point, Sr., RHP
SP: Jeff Gottesman,  Bucknell,    Sr., RHP
SP: Noah Song,    Navy,      Sr., RHP
RP: Cam Opp,     Army West Point, Sr., RHP
C: Evan Klugerman,  Bucknell,    Sr.
1B: John McKenna,   Army West Point, Jr.
1B: Tyler Wincig,   Bucknell,    Jr.
2B: Zach Biggers,   Navy,      Jr.
SS: Chris Rinaldi,  Holy Cross,   Jr.
3B: Anthony Giachin, Army West Point, So.
OF: Jacob Hurtubise, Army West Point, Jr.
OF: JohnPaul Bell,  Bucknell,    Jr.
OF: Austin Masel,   Holy Cross,   Jr.
DH: Liam Lowery,   Navy,      Sr.
*Four starting pitchers and two first basemen are included due to ties in the voting. Â
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Players Mentioned
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INF
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LHP
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OF
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1B
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LHP
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