Three Bulldogs earn mention in New England Baseball Journal

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Several members of the Bryant University baseball team were recognized in the February issue of the New England Baseball Journal that was released on Monday afternoon.

The NEBJ announced its preseason top 10, its preseason All-NEBJ Division I team and its top 20 MLB prospects. NEBJ ranked the Bulldogs second behind Boston College in its preseason top 10. Bryant finished 2016 with a 47-12 record and was the top-ranked team in the NEIBA poll all nine weeks.

Junior RHP James Karinchak (Walden, N.Y.), junior catcher Mickey Gasper (Merrimack, N.H.) and sophomore outfielder Nick Angelini (Bedford, N.H.) were all named to the preseason All-NEBJ Division I team. Karinchak went 12-3 with a program-record 112 strikeouts last season, Gasper hit .392 in just 79 at-bats and Angelini was the Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year after hitting .353 with 47 runs scored.

Gasper also found himself listed at No. 11 among New England's top 20 MLB prospects (only New England natives were considered). After hitting nearly .400 with the Black and Gold last spring, Gasper went on to earn Futures Collegiate Baseball League MVP honors thanks to a .421 average, 21 doubles, nine home runs, 42 RBI and 39 runs scored for the Nashua Silver Knights.

The Bulldogs open their 2017 season on Friday, Feb. 17 at New Mexico State. First pitch is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EST.