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Rockhurst University Athletics

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Baseball

Hawks open 2019 season today in Joplin

Opening Day has finally arrived for the Rockhurst baseball team. The Hawks open the 2019 season against Washburn at 10 a.m. today in the MIAA/GLVC Challenge in Joplin, Missouri.

Coach Gary Burns says the team strength is their overall team speed. The Hawks will be strong offensively, returning five of their top seven hitters. Rockhurst averaged 5.9 runs per game last year and finished with a .300 team batting average.

Senior first baseman Alex Van Pelt batted. 356 and led the team with four home runs and 40 RBIs last year. Junior catcher Nic Mertes (.355-1-14), sophomore outfielder Tommy Kraus (.328-0-12) and junior third baseman Garrett McNally (.301-1-12) will be counted on as returning starters.

"We will use our team speed and defense to our advantage," said Burns, who is beginning his 26th season at Rockhurst.

Junior second baseman Michael Ruffolo, sophomore shortstop Jack Burns, junior infielder Colby Smith, sophomore infielder Nathan Mark and senior outfielder Wylson Lamb return after seeing a lot of action in 2018. The Hawks are also counting on outfield newcomers Tyler Stamer and Luke Sosaya.

The pitching staff will be led by junior left-hander Jack Eisenbarger and junior right-hander Jacob Thigpen. The duo combined for 20 starts and 116.3 innings while winning six games and striking out 95 hitters last year.

Jonathan Fink, Grant Ruediger, Griffin Fletcher and Daniel Kohl give the Hawks additional experienced arms. Junior college transfer Nathan Miller and senior Cameron Dean (who played outfield last year) add depth to the pitching staff.

Rockhurst will begin conference play on March 9 at Quincy. The Hawks hope to finish higher in the GLVC standings this year and return to the conference tournament for the first time since 2016.
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Players Mentioned

Jack Burns

#7 Jack Burns

SS
6' 0"
Sophomore
R/R
Cameron Dean

#24 Cameron Dean

P
6' 2"
Senior
R/R
Jack Eisenbarger

#43 Jack Eisenbarger

P
5' 10"
Junior
L/L
Jonathan Fink

#17 Jonathan Fink

P
6' 1"
Senior
R/R
Griffin Fletcher

#18 Griffin Fletcher

P
6' 1"
Junior
R/R
Daniel Kohl

#40 Daniel Kohl

P
6' 1"
Senior
R/R
Tommy Kraus

#9 Tommy Kraus

P
5' 8"
Sophomore
L/L
Wylson Lamb

#29 Wylson Lamb

OF
6' 3"
Senior
R/R
Nathan Mark

#14 Nathan Mark

IF
6' 1"
Sophomore
R/R
Garrett McNally

#8 Garrett McNally

IF
5' 9"
Junior
R/R
Nic Mertes

#31 Nic Mertes

C
5' 10"
Senior
L/R
Michael Ruffolo

#1 Michael Ruffolo

2B
5' 7"
Junior
R/R

Players Mentioned

Jack Burns

#7 Jack Burns

6' 0"
Sophomore
R/R
SS
Cameron Dean

#24 Cameron Dean

6' 2"
Senior
R/R
P
Jack Eisenbarger

#43 Jack Eisenbarger

5' 10"
Junior
L/L
P
Jonathan Fink

#17 Jonathan Fink

6' 1"
Senior
R/R
P
Griffin Fletcher

#18 Griffin Fletcher

6' 1"
Junior
R/R
P
Daniel Kohl

#40 Daniel Kohl

6' 1"
Senior
R/R
P
Tommy Kraus

#9 Tommy Kraus

5' 8"
Sophomore
L/L
P
Wylson Lamb

#29 Wylson Lamb

6' 3"
Senior
R/R
OF
Nathan Mark

#14 Nathan Mark

6' 1"
Sophomore
R/R
IF
Garrett McNally

#8 Garrett McNally

5' 9"
Junior
R/R
IF
Nic Mertes

#31 Nic Mertes

5' 10"
Senior
L/R
C
Michael Ruffolo

#1 Michael Ruffolo

5' 7"
Junior
R/R
2B