Post by Alum on Feb 21, 2018 14:59:26 GMT
• Pennsylvania made a big push last season, making it to the Ivy League finals before losing to Yale. John Yurkow and his staff will hope to parlay that to a bigger step this year, but it could be a tough row to hoe. There will be a lot of turnover on the bump as 246 of last year’s 376 innings pitched have moved on, including three of the four weekend starters. But RHP Jake Nelson is a big returnee after throwing just 16 innings a year ago he was drafted in the 33rd round by the Tigers last June. He’ll project to be the No. 2 starter behind LHP Gabe Kleiman (3-0, 4.30), who made eight starts a year ago. Despite all the losses on the hill, the fielding/batting order returns nearly intact. Top hitter and Ivy League player of the year Tim Graul is gone but 1B Sean Phelan (.323/.383/.473), 2B Chris Adams (.292/.354/.363) and CF Andrew Murnane (.292/.373/.370) will lead the Quakers again. Also keep an eye on catcher Matt O’Neill, who does a good job handling the staff and also hit .281 while tying Graul for the team-high with six home runs.
