Baseball Begins 2024 on Friday in Myrtle Beach

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – As we get set for spring break on campus, the University of Bridgeport's baseball team will travel south to begin their new campaign in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The Purple Knights are slated to play a total of 50 games this spring, including 20 home contests.

THE SCHEDULE
Bridgeport will start its new campaign with a 10-game road trip to the Carolinas on Feb. 23–March 3, featuring eight contests in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The Purple Knights will make their home debut on March 12 while their CACC opener is set for March 20 against Caldwell.

THE ROSTER
A total of 26 players will return for UB from a season ago, including 15 upperclassmen. The Purple Knights' roster also features seven freshmen and seven transfer students.

Amongst the experience is UB's leading hitter from a year ago, Justin Leigh. Leigh batted .307 in 33 games with 11 doubles and a home run.

Senior catcher Anthony Pascale is also back for the Purple and White. The Long Island native was named to the ECC's All-Conference Second Team as a sophomore in 2022.

Sophomore Brendan Palmer is UB's top pitcher coming back after tossing 47.2 innings in eight appearances last season. Remarkably, he only walked three batters while totaling 37 strikeouts.

Bridgeport's team captains this season are Pascale, Leigh, Jeremy Rodrigues, Justin Nyarady, and Jacob Rich. 

CACC PRESEASON POLL
The Purple Knights were voted to finish fourth in the North Division of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) according to the 2024 preseason coaches poll released on Jan. 29.

COACH TONELLI
Head coach Joe Tonelli is also back for his 12th season in the Purple Knights' dugout. Tonelli currently stands as the winningest coach in program history. He has led the Purple Knights to 191 wins during his tenure while holding 380 total victories in his head coaching career.

FOLLOW ALONG
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