Baseball announces captains for 2019

SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Bryant University baseball head coach Steve Owens has named seniors Tyler Panno (Rivervale, N.J.) and Nathan Wrighter (Windsor, N.Y.) and junior James Ciliento (Mahwah, N.J.) captains for the upcoming 2019 season.

I am very pleased to announce these three young men as captains of this year's club," Owens said.  "They are all quality players, but more importantly, they are totally and unconditionally committed to the success of the team first. I trust their character and believe they will naturally help lead our guys through the tough journey of the upcoming college baseball season." 

Panno started 50 games as Bryant's primary third baseman in 2018. He hit .269 with 12 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs and 33 RBI. Panno homered hit three of his six home runs in the first two series of the season at Arizona and Auburn. He homered twice against the Tigers and enters his final season with 35 extra-base hits and 70 RBIs in his career.

Wrighter served as Bryant's closer in 2018, posting eight saves in a team-high 21 appearances. He allowed 26 hits and struck out 25 in 32.2 innings. Wrighter has appeared in a team-high 47 games over the last two seasons. 

Ciliento had a breakout season in 2018, finishing with 72 hits, 14 doubles, two triples, three home runs, 31 RBI and 46 runs scored. He posted career-highs in average (.377), OBP (.448) and slugging (.518) and was also a perfect 5-for-5 in stolen bases. Defensively, Ciliento made just one error and tied for the team-high with three outfield assists. 

The Bulldogs open the 2019 season with a three-game series at Abilene Christian from Feb. 15-17.