HOFSTRA/FGCU PREVIEW

Fort Myers, FL- FGCU begins the 2023 season at home, for a four game series vs Hofstra University, from Swanson Stadium.

Schedule:

Friday 6:30 PM

Saturday (DH): 11 AM, 2:30 PM

Sunday 12:00 PM

’22 Hitting Stats (HU):

.274/.759 OPS/1851 AB/300 R/507 H/101 2B/12 3B/43 HR/271 RBI/.411 SLG%/325 SO/175 BB/.348 OB%

’22 Hitting Stats (FGCU):

.295/.902 OPS/2068 AB/482 R/611 H/120 2B/6 3B/94 HR/450 RBI/.496 SLG%/508 SO/286 BB/.406 OB%

’22 Pitching Stats (HU):

30-23/5.64 ERA/1.55 WHIP/2 CG/2 SHO/11 SV/471.0 IP/458 H/333 R (295 ER)/387 K/270 BB/84 2B/12 3B/56 HR/1784 AB/.257 BAA

’22 Pitching Stats (FGCU):

35-23/4.91 ERA/1.51 WHIP/CG/4 SHO/9 SV/511.2 IP/551 H/342 R (279 ER)/478 K/221 BB/85 2B/6 3B/66 HR/2045 AB/.269 BAA

3 Players To Watch For (HU):

5’9 SR C R/R Kevin Bruggeman

’22 season: .293/.827 OPS/184 AB/32 R/54 H/7 2B/2 3B/7 HR/33 RBI/.467 SLG%/31 SO/15 BB/.360 OB%

5’10 GR INF R/R Jake Liberatore

’22 season: .292/.830 OPS/161 AB/38 R/47 H/9 2B/4 HR/22 RBI/.422 SLG%/24cSO/20 BB/.408 OB%

5’10 GR INF R/R Ryan Morash

’22 season: .289/.721 OPS/204 AB/31 R/59 H/11 2B/3B/3 HR/29 RBI/.397 SLG%/11 SO/6 BB/.324 OB%

3 Players To Watch For (FGCU):

6’3 SR INF R/R Alejandro Figueredo

’22 season: .392/1.135 OPS/232 AB/49 R/91 H/21 2B/3B/13 HR/62 RBI/.659 SLG%/36 SO/36 BB/.476 OB%

6’2 R-SR OF L/R Brian Ellis

’22 season: .379/1.067 OPS/235 AB/74 R/89 H/25 2B/6 HR/44 RBI/.562 SLG%/43 SO/40 BB/.505 OB%

5’11 SR C/INF R/R Alejandro Rodriguez

22 season: .323/.872 OPS/223 AB/42 R/72 H/6 2B/9 HR/54 RBI/.471 SLG%/25 SO/26 BB/.401 OB%

Overview:

FGCU begins their 2023 season vs Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) member, Hofstra University. The Pride finished last season at 30-23, with a 15-9 record in CAA play. Head Coach Frank Catalanotto has led the team since 2021. Kevin Bruggeman leads the team offensively, and bat .293 last season with 7 HR, and 33 RBI’s. RHP Brad Carmada (8-2, 3.87 ERA), and Mark Faello (7-4, 5.15 ERA) return to lead the rotation for Hofstra. RHP Michael O’Hanlon returns as closer for Hofstra, after earning 6 saves last season, and finishing with a 3-2 record. Last year the Pride won their conference championship, and faced #10 North Carolina, and Georgia in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, where they lost both games.

FGCU returns five of their top six hitters from last season, as the Eagles look for a huge season out of this veteran group. Alejandro Figueredo, was named the ASUN Conference Preseason Player of the Year, and deserves every bit of that award. Figueredo hit .392 last season with an OPS of 1.135, and hit 13 HR, and finished with 62 RBI’s. Brian Ellis (.379, 6 HR, and 44 RBI’s), Alejandro Rodriguez (.323, 9 HR, and 54 RBI’s), Harrison Povey (.288, 15 HR, and 62 RBI’s), and Joe Kinker (.273, 20 HR, and 51 RBI’s), provide the Eagles with massive production throughout their lineup. Ian Farrow transferred to the University of Miami, so his production will be missed, but this team has the necessary players to make up for his loss. Another huge addition for FGCU is FR OF Armani Newton, who was ranked the 11th best OF in the state of Florida, and 81st best OF in the nation. Newton played for John Carroll HS, and earned these honors: 2022 First-Team All-American OF, 2022 2A-13 Player of the Year, 2022 2A-13 Hitter of the Year, and 2022 2A-13 All-District Team.

On the pitching side, the Eagles return Jason Woodward (6-4, 4.11 ERA, 82 K’s) at the top of their rotation. Tyler Tipton (4-3, 6.54 ERA, 31 K’s) will also be counted on, as well as transfer William Haberstock (2-7, 7.20 ERA, 72 K’s last season at UNA). The bullpen is loaded, and Nick Love (2-1, 4.82 ERA, 26 K’s) who led the Eagles with 3 saves last season, has some great pitchers around him to help relieve the starters. LJ McDonough (transfer from Wichita State), and Max Rippl (transfer from Kent State) will provide innings, along with a few new faces. The offseason is over, see you at Swanson!