Baseball to Start 2025 Campaign on Friday in Myrtle Beach
Purple Knights will play 14 games down south to start new season.
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – As frigid temperatures continue to linger in Connecticut, the University of Bridgeport's baseball team will head to Myrtle Beach, S.C. this weekend (Feb. 21-23) to begin their 2025 campaign. It will mark the fourth straight season in which UB has played its opener in the Palmetto State.
MYRTLE BEACH
The Purple Knights will take a pair of trips to the South Carolina coast, beginning with a doubleheader against 29th-ranked Molloy on Friday. UB will then play more familiar foes of Bentley on Saturday and Queens on Sunday.
Following the first four-game stretch in Myrtle Beach, the Purple Knights will return for 10 more contests from Feb. 28 – March 5. UB's final two matchups at Francis Marion and at UNC Pembroke will serve as the only true road games of the trip.
THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE
Upon arrival back to CT, the Purple Knights will immediately begin CACC action with a doubleheader at Caldwell on March 16. In fact, those two games will start a stretch of 18 straight conference doubleheaders to end the season.
Nine of those dates will take place at Seaside Park, beginning against Caldwell on March 17. UB's regular season will end with home doubleheaders against Bloomfield and Holy Family on April 27 and April 29.
THE RETURNERS
Bridgeport's roster features 31 student-athletes who were on the team a year ago. The experience goes even deeper for the Purple Knights as they will have 24 upperclassmen on the squad this spring.
The Purple Knights' top two hitters from 2024 are back in the form of Jeremy Rodrigues and Patrick Krempasky. Rodrigues led the Purple Knights in batting average (.333), slugging percentage (.695), RBIs (28) and home runs (10) while Krempasky led UB in hits (43), on-base percentage (.436) and runs scored (26).
On the pitching side of things, Tim Dolan is back after leading UB in appearances while Joaquin Brasher also returns after leading the team in ERA and saves.
Bridgeport's captains for the 2025 campaign will be the aforementioned Rodrigues and Dolan, along with classmate Jaden Echevarria. This trio has combined to appear in 189 games during their Purple and White careers.
THE NEWCOMERS
A total of 12 new players, composed of 10 freshmen and two transfers, join the UB baseball team to begin 2025. The newest Purple Knights come from Connecticut, New York, California, New Jersey and Puerto Rico.
CACC PRESEASON POLL
The Purple Knights were picked to finish fifth in the CACC's North Division according to the preseason coaches poll released in late January. UB was fourth in the year-end standings last year with a record of 9-15.
COACH TONELLI
Head Coach Joe Tonelli returns for his 13th season at the helm of UB's baseball program. Last year, he notched win No. 200 at Bridgeport as he continues his reign as the winningest coach in school history.
Coach Tonelli's career at UB includes being named the 2015 ECC Coach of the Year and leading the Purple Knights to the 2016 NCAA East Regional.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING (Quotes)
Joe Tonelli – Head Coach, 13th Year
"The guys have been working extremely hard and have bought in to what we are expecting. We have a lot of good pieces, now we just have to put them together. The energy that Coach Torres, Coach Ruiz, Coach Foglio and Coach Rich have brought this preseason to the guys has been contagious. Hopefully the winning will be just as contagious!"
Tim Dolan, Senior Pitcher
"I'm super excited to get going this season. We got a great group of guys that have gelled well together. We have worked super hard all offseason, and I can't wait to get down south and see all the hard work we've put in payoff."
Jaden Echevarria, Senior Catcher
"I believe this team has the making to do something special. From day one, the boys have been grinding, putting their best foot forward and now we get the opportunity to show what we're capable of. It's time to put it all together and let everyone know what UB Baseball is about."
Jeremy Rodrigues, Senior Infielder
"I think we have an amazing group of guys to go and achieve our goals and be successful this year. We have been working so hard and excelling in practice. I am extremely excited to get started this year and show what we can do. We look better than ever."
FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can keep up to date with all things Bridgeport Baseball courtesy of UBKnights.com or on Instagram at @ubridgeport_baseball.