Baseball Ready to Open Season

November 2, 2004

SMITHFIELD, RI -The Bryant baseball team is gearing up for its season opener in a few weeks. The Bulldogs are coming off a record-setting 40 win season and will return two all-Americans from last year's squad that captured its first NCAA Regional title and advanced to the College World Series. The Bulldogs finished the year ranked No. 6 nationally.

The Bulldogs, under direction of 15th-year coach Jon Sjogren, will return all-Ameircans Mickey Ryan and Stephen Sloan this season. Ryan had an outstanding postseason last year and led the conference with 27 stolen bases. Sloan, a senior righty, overpowered third-ranked Rollins last year at the World Series to pick up his 11th win of the year.

Bryant finished the 2004 season ranked No. 1 nationally in field percentage and sixth in the nation with a 3.18 team ERA. The Bulldogs will welcome back seven starters this year, including Northeast-10 Conference Freshman of the Year Mike Rocco as well as first team all-conference pick Daryle Crowley and second team selection Nick Tucarrella.