POUGHKEEPSIE, New York - The 2020 baseball season arrives this Friday, and the team is hoping to start it off with a bang. The Red Fox pitching staff is looking forward to taking the mound at South Florida, and they've been working all offseason for the moment to come. Alex Pansini and Erubiel Candelario will earn starts against the Bulls, and are aiming to come out strong.
 

PITCHERS AT A GLANCE

• Marist also returns MAAC All-Rookie honoree Ryan Cardona and senior Skyler Pichardo who will both be big parts of this season's rotation.
• Cardona appeared in 21 games as a freshman, with an ERA of 5.05 over 34.0 innings. He recorded a team-high five saves, and struck out 51 in his time on the mound.
• Pichardo appeared in 15 games with 14 starts as a junior, tallying 61 strikeouts over 73.2 innings and an ERA of 5.74. Against Niagara on April 28, he threw for a career-high 8.1 innings with six punchouts.
• All told, the team will have nearly 20 options in the bullpen for the 2020 campaign.

Candelario Steps Up

Erubiel Candelario appeared in 15 games as a freshman with three starts. In 33.2 innings, he had an ERA of 4.28. Now a sophomore, the Bronx-native is set to start in the first series of the season.

"Earning a spot in the starting rotation has been one of my goals since I stepped foot on campus," noted Candelario. "I'm hoping to help he team in any way possible, and give 100% effort every time my name is called to step on the rubber."

Since the conclusion of the 2019 season, Candelario has set himself apart to become a member of the rotation. His longest stay on the mound as a freshman was 5.0 innings, but Candelario has worked on his efficiency and accuracy, and hopes to put his efforts on display against South Florida.

"I believe that I began to pitch with more confidence and be able to hit my spots more consistently," replied the sophomore when asked about how he improved over the offseason. "The ability to throw 3-4 pitches for strike is something that I have been working hard on throughout summer ball and the offseason."

Pansini, Pt. II

One year ago, Alex Pansini was in a similar position to Candelario. He was named a starter for the season-opening series after throwing for 18.1 total innings as a freshman. However, in his sophomore debut at William & Mary, Pansini allowed just two hits and one earned run while striking out five over 6.0 innings, and showed he was ready for his new role.

"In my first year as a starter, I was an underclassman and wasn't sure what to expect," recalled the junior. "Being able to start again has given me more experience and allowed me to feel more comfortable on the mound, and I know exactly what I have to do."

The Westfield, NJ-native went on to have an exceptional sophomore season on the mound, tallying 70 strikeouts over 83.1 innings and an ERA of 4.10. He tossed a complete game with eight strikeouts at North Carolina A&T on March 17, and pitched for at least eight innings in three more games. Pansini is excited to begin the season, and believes his teammates are ready as well.
 
"Our pitching staff is better this year than any year so far," praised Pansini. "We have guys with experience, and younger guys who have proven they can step up. It should be an exciting year for the Red Foxes, especially as a pitching staff."

SCOUTING THE BULLS

• In 2019 South Florida went 26-27 overall and 8-16 in the American Athletic Conference.
• They return sophomore catcher Julio Cortez, who led the Bulls as a freshman with a .354 batting average.
• 11 pitchers and nine position starters are returning to the team, while 12 newcomers are entering the mix.

UP NEXT

The Red Foxes travel to face George Washington on February 21-23 in their second weekend of the season.