The 2020 iteration of the Emory University baseball team hits the diamond for the first time this season as the Eagles take part in the Piedmont College Early Spring Tournament this weekend in Demorest, GA.
The Eagles will be one of four teams competing over the three-day schedule, joining the host Lions, Virginia Wesleyan University and last year's national runner-up Birmingham-Southern College.
Coverage
-Virginia Wesleyan: Live Stats | Video
-BSC: Live Stats | Video
-Piedmont: Live Stats | Video
Coming off a 20-19 season, the Eagles look to be more seasoned heading into the 2020 season with a majority of last year's roster still intact.
The offense returns six starters of whom made 25 or more starts a year ago and will be headlined again by 2019 All-University Athletic Association First Teamers in senior Richard Brereton and sophomore Zeke Diamond as well as All-UAA Second Team selection senior Ryan Adelman.
Brereton, named one of Division III's top-20 prospects by Perfect Game USA, is coming off a junior season where he led the team in average (.392), hits (56), total bases (71), slugging percentage (.497) and stolen bases (18). His .392 batting average ranked 137th in all of DIII in 2019. Adelman tries to improve upon his career year in 2019 where he posted career-highs across the board in games played (39), runs scored (38), hits (49), doubles (12), RBI (15), walks (21), stolen bases (10) and a slash line of .371/.478/.485. Diamond was equally impressive in his rookie season, starting 37 of 38 games and batting .358 as he ranked second on the team with 49 hits. He totaled a team-high 38 runs scored with three doubles, a team-high three triples, 21 RBI and ranked second with 19 walks and 15 stolen bases.
Other notable offensive returners include junior Michael Edelman (.317, 19 R, 8 2B, 10 RBI, 9 SB), junior Jack Rubenstein (.270, 22 R, 5 2B, 15 RBI, 17 HBP, 14 SB), junior Jacob Singer (.225, 8 R, 4 RBI) and senior Jacob Greene (.209, 16 R, 5 2B, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 4 SB).
To go along with his offensive prowess, Brereton figures to slot into the top of the Eagles rotation for the second straight season. While battling a lower-body injury in 2019, Brereton made just seven starts (8 APP), pitching to a 3.66 ERA in 39.1 IP, striking out 30 and recording a 3-1 record. Joining the Connecticut Kid in the roation will be junior Jack Moore and senior James Robertson. The duo went a combined 4-7 with Moore leading the team with 43 strikeouts in a team-leading 58.2 IP while Robertson made 10 starts, striking out 37 in 50.1 innings. Sophomores Bryant Wise, Jack Brodsky and Joey Bock look to be counted on to take another step forward in their second seasons. Wise led all hurlers with a 2.76 ERA, going 1-1 in 11 appearances (5 GS). Brodsky and Bock led the team in relief outings in 2019 with Brodsky totaling a team-best six wins and Bock earning four victories.
In addition to the returners, the Eagles will welcome a group of eight newcomers to the 2020 roster: Henry Pelinski (Fr., OF, Wiinetka, IL), Andrew Feld (Fr., OF, Marietta, GA), Jason Masonis (Fr., OF, Charlotte, NC), Justin Melton (Fr., RHP, Winter Park, FL), Mike Golob (Fr., RHP, Encino, CA), Jackson Pentz (Fr., RHP, Suffield, CT), Aaron Mishoulam (Fr., RHP, Oak Park, IL) and Dylan Kahn (So., RHP, Plantation, FL).
Head Coach Mike Twardoski returns for his 21st season as head coach of the Eagles, amassing a career ledger of 581-287-1. Joining him on staff will be long-time Associate Head Coach, Bobby Perez, who will be in his 12th season and third-year assistant coach Sean West.