BULLDOGS STAY ON THEIR GAME, COMPETE IN SUMMER LEAGUES ACROSS COUNTRY

June 17, 2009

BULLDOGS STAY ON THEIR GAME, COMPETE IN SUMMER LEAGUES ACROSS COUNTRY

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Just weeks after completing another successful season in 2009 -- the program's inaugural Division I campaign - with a 32-22 record, many Bryant University baseball players are back on the diamond as they continue to compete in summer leagues around the country.

"Summer baseball is a great experience for our players," said head coach Jamie Pinzino. "It gives them a chance to experience different and great parts of the country, compete against quality competition and continue to develop their skills."

Check out all the Bulldogs competing in summer leagues and follow their teams by clicking on the links below.

Jeff Vigurs (South Windor, Conn) / Harwich Mariners, Cape Cod Baseball League
Vigurs finished the 2009 season with one of the finest offensive campaigns in the history of the Bryant baseball program. An All-Independent First Team selection, the junior catcher was also named to the All-New England Second Team and the ABCA Northeast Region Second Team. Vigurs finished tops on the team in 2009 with a .389 batting average, driving in a team-best 70 RBI while also finishing the season leading the Bulldogs in doubles (23), slugging percentage (.645) and on-base percentage (.447).

His 70-RBI year ranks second-most by a Bulldog in a single season and ties him for No. 23 in the country. Vigurs is ranked fourth all-time in career RBI with 135, just three ahead of teammate Nick Campbell.

A truly clutch performer, the junior hit .512 with runners in scoring position and two-outs (21-for-41), driving in 32 runs with 11 extra-base hits. He put together a 17-game hitting streak during the 2009 season and reached base safely in 52 of the team's 54 games, including posting a streak of 37 games consecutive contests. Vigurs had at-least one hit in 50-of-54 games while playing great defense for Bryant, committing just two errors all year.

Nick Campbell (Raynham, Mass.) / Battle Creek Bombers, Northwoods League
Nick Campbell became the all-time hit leader in the history of the Bryant University baseball program in just his junior season in 2009, recording his 248th career hit on May 2. Campbell, who was named to the All-New England and All-Independent Second Teams, led the Bulldogs in hits for the second-straight year, finishing the season with 84, good for No. 13 nationally.

Campbell finished the year second on the team in batting average, hitting .375, and was also among the toughest to strike out in the country. The junior centerfielder went down on strikes just 15 times all season, a number that equals one punch out every 14.3 at-bats -- tops among Division I Independent teams.

Eric Polvani (Wallingford, Conn.) / Holyoke Blue Sox, New England Collegiate League
The Bulldogs' most decorated player this postseason, Polvani posted an 8-2 record in 12 appearances (11 starts) this season after making the transition from closer to starter. An ABCA Northeast Region First Teamer, Polvani's 2.04 ERA ranks sixth in the nation, also earning him selections to the All-New England and All-Independent First Teams.

Nothing short of impressive in his 2009 campaign, the junior hurler also earned All-Independent Pitcher of the Year accolades, going six-plus innings in 10 of his 11 starts while holding opponents to two earned runs or less in 11 of his 12 appearances. Polvani threw 79.1 innings on the year, allowing just 18 earned runs and walking just 15 with 58 strikeouts. Polvani added a save to his two complete games, allowing opponents to hit just .265 against him.

Dylan Stone (Portsmouth, R.I.) / Newport Gulls, New England Collegiate League
Stone, who made the move from first base back to his natural position at second in 2009, was a consistent presence for the Bulldogs both defensively and offensively. With a .277 batting average, Stone started in all 54 games this season, knocking in 25 runs and scoring 43 of his own. Stone drew 27 walks, second on the team, and struck out just 24 times.  

Mark Andrews (Hillsborough, N.J.) / Haymarket Senators, Valley League
Just the third Bulldog to record double-digit saves in a season, Andrews stepped into the role of closer in 2009 and led all Division I Independent pitchers with 10 saves, tying him for No. 19 nationally. After struggling in his first outing, Andrews became a dominant closer, giving up just one run in his next 16.2 innings, a number that spanned 14 appearances. In that stretch, the sophomore recorded nine saves and 15 strikeouts while allowing just 10 hits.

A First Team All-Independent selection, Andrews finished the season with a 4.38 ERA in 24.2 innings and 21 appearances, striking out 20 batters in the process.

Matt Griswold (Berlin, Conn.) / Riverhead Tomcats, Atlantic Collegiate League
With a 3.48 ERA and a 1-1 record in 2009, Griswold made 16 relief appearances for the Bulldogs in his second season with the team. Allowing eight earned runs with 15 strikeouts, the sophomore posted a .273 batting average against in 20.2 innings pitched.

Nick Laude (Wells, Maine) / Sag Harbor Whalers, Atlantic Collegiate League
Laude, junior righty, came on in relief on 14 occasions with the Bulldogs in 2009, posting a 3.68 ERA in 14.2 innings. Allowing six earned runs with 10 strikeouts, Laude held opponents to just a .254 batting average.