Friday, February 14
Thibodaux, LA
7 p.m.
George Washington University
at
Nicholls State
Baseball Opens Season at Baseball on the Bayou Classic
2/13/2020 10:32:00 AM | Baseball
Colonials battle host Nicholls State, SIUE
WASHINGTON - GW baseball opens up the eighth season under head coach Gregg Ritchie this weekend at the Baseball on the Bayou Classic in Thibodaux, La. The Colonials will battle the host Nicholls State on Friday before a pair of contests against SIUE on Saturday and Sunday.
ABOUT LAST YEAR: Bolstered by one of the top offenses in the nation, GW reached 30 wins for the third straight season, its longest such streak since the mid-2000s. The Colonials led the A-10 in batting average at .292 as a team and averaged 7.0 runs per game, second-best in the circuit. The Buff & Blue missed the A-10 Tournament by two games and were picked to finish eighth in this year's preseason poll.
BACK IN BUFF & BLUE: Reigning A-10 Rookie of the Year Noah Levin headlines six returning position player starters for the Colonials. Also returning are third baseman Steve Barmakian, first baseman Derek Ripp, catcher Anthony Frechette, center fielder Cade Fergus and right fielder Tyler Hix. Even with six returning starters, only two (Barmakian and Hix) are upperclassmen.
YOUTH IN NUMBERS: GW boasts 20 underclassmen on this year's roster, including a group of 10 first-years who made up a majority of the No. 99 recruiting class in the nation, and second in the A-10, according to Perfect Game. Those expected to contribute immediately include Ervin Bogan, Joe Biancone and Stephen DiTomaso on the infield.
NEW FACES IN NEW PLACES: Two of GW's three projected starters this weekend did not pitch for the Colonials a year ago. Redshirt sophomore Harrison Cohen sat out last year before a phenomenal summer that included a pair of league championships. Junior Justin Solt joins GW from the junior college ranks and is slated for a start Saturday. Senior Elliott Raimo is the lone holdover from last year after making 10 starts while battling injuries throughout the campaign.
ABOUT THE COLONELS: Nicholls State was projected to finish eighth in the Southland poll after a 27-28 (13-17 Southland) year in 2019. Senior Chris Sandberg earned Preseason All-Conference Second Team honors after hitting .267 in 49 games (39 starts) last year. Nicholls hit .255 as a team a year ago and is looking to replace three of the top four hitters based on average. On the hill, the Colonels were second in the Southland with a 3.53 ERA.
ABOUT THE COUGARS: SIUE finished 19-32 (11-19 Ohio Valley) in 2019 and was projected to finish 11th in the OVC in this year's preseason poll. Senior starter Kenny Serwa, who is listed as the probable pitcher on Saturday, earned a spot on the Preseason All-OVC team after earning second team honors following last season. SIUE hit .255 as a team last year, 10th in the OVC, and held a 6.39 team ERA, also 10th in the circuit.
| Date/Time (ET) | GW Starting Pitcher | Opponent Starting Pitcher |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, Feb. 14 7 p.m. @ Nicholls State |
RHP Harrison Cohen, R-So. (0-1, 5.40) in 2018 |
LHP Shane Mejia, So. (4-2, 3.51) in 2019 |
| Saturday, Feb. 15 3 p.m. vs. SIUE |
RHP Justin Solt, Jr. (9-3, 2.42) w/ Lower Columbia CC |
RHP Kenny Serwa, R-Sr. (3-2, 3.19) in 2019 |
| Sunday, Feb. 16 11:30 a.m. vs. SIUE |
RHP Elliott Raimo, Sr. (1-3, 4.00) in 2019 |
RHP Preston Salazar, Fr. Collegiate debut |
ABOUT LAST YEAR: Bolstered by one of the top offenses in the nation, GW reached 30 wins for the third straight season, its longest such streak since the mid-2000s. The Colonials led the A-10 in batting average at .292 as a team and averaged 7.0 runs per game, second-best in the circuit. The Buff & Blue missed the A-10 Tournament by two games and were picked to finish eighth in this year's preseason poll.
BACK IN BUFF & BLUE: Reigning A-10 Rookie of the Year Noah Levin headlines six returning position player starters for the Colonials. Also returning are third baseman Steve Barmakian, first baseman Derek Ripp, catcher Anthony Frechette, center fielder Cade Fergus and right fielder Tyler Hix. Even with six returning starters, only two (Barmakian and Hix) are upperclassmen.
YOUTH IN NUMBERS: GW boasts 20 underclassmen on this year's roster, including a group of 10 first-years who made up a majority of the No. 99 recruiting class in the nation, and second in the A-10, according to Perfect Game. Those expected to contribute immediately include Ervin Bogan, Joe Biancone and Stephen DiTomaso on the infield.
NEW FACES IN NEW PLACES: Two of GW's three projected starters this weekend did not pitch for the Colonials a year ago. Redshirt sophomore Harrison Cohen sat out last year before a phenomenal summer that included a pair of league championships. Junior Justin Solt joins GW from the junior college ranks and is slated for a start Saturday. Senior Elliott Raimo is the lone holdover from last year after making 10 starts while battling injuries throughout the campaign.
ABOUT THE COLONELS: Nicholls State was projected to finish eighth in the Southland poll after a 27-28 (13-17 Southland) year in 2019. Senior Chris Sandberg earned Preseason All-Conference Second Team honors after hitting .267 in 49 games (39 starts) last year. Nicholls hit .255 as a team a year ago and is looking to replace three of the top four hitters based on average. On the hill, the Colonels were second in the Southland with a 3.53 ERA.
ABOUT THE COUGARS: SIUE finished 19-32 (11-19 Ohio Valley) in 2019 and was projected to finish 11th in the OVC in this year's preseason poll. Senior starter Kenny Serwa, who is listed as the probable pitcher on Saturday, earned a spot on the Preseason All-OVC team after earning second team honors following last season. SIUE hit .255 as a team last year, 10th in the OVC, and held a 6.39 team ERA, also 10th in the circuit.
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