2019 VCU Rams baseball team

The 2019 VCU Rams baseball team was the program's 49th baseball season. It was their 7th season the Atlantic 10 Conference. The regular season began on February 15, 2019 and concluded on May 18, 2019. The Rams finished as regular season champions.

2019 VCU Rams baseball
Atlantic 10 Regular Season Champions
Spartanburg Classic Champions
Conference	Atlantic 10 Conference
2019 record	39–19 (19–5 A-10)
Head coach	Shawn Stiffler (7th season)
Assistant coaches	Mike McRae (2nd season) Rich Witten (2nd season) Josh Tutwiler (4th season)
Home stadium	The Diamond

2019 Atlantic 10 Conference baseball standings
	Conf									Overall
Team	W		L		T		PCT			W		L		T		PCT
VCU  ‍†‍‍	19	–	5	–	0		.792			39	–	19	–	0		.672
Davidson  ‍‍‍	14	–	6	–	0		.700			29	–	22	–	0		.569
Dayton  ‍‍‍	16	–	8	–	0		.667			32	–	26	–	1		.551
Fordham  ‍‍‡‍^y	15	–	9	–	0		.625			38	–	24	–	0		.613
Richmond  ‍‍‍	13	–	8	–	0		.619			28	–	25	–	1		.528
Rhode Island  ‍‍‍	14	–	9	–	0		.609			24	–	29	–	0		.453
Saint Louis  ‍‍‍	13	–	11	–	0		.542			25	–	30	–	0		.455
Saint Joseph's  ‍‍‍	13	–	11	–	0		.542			21	–	28	–	0		.429
George Washington  ‍‍‍	11	–	13	–	0		.458			30	–	24	–	0		.556
UMass  ‍‍‍	8	–	14	–	0		.364			18	–	27	–	0		.400
St. Bonaventure  ‍‍‍	6	–	18	–	0		.250			13	–	32	–	0		.289
George Mason  ‍‍‍	5	–	19	–	0		.208			19	–	35	–	0		.352
La Salle  ‍‍‍	4	–	20	–	0		.167			25	–	31	–	0		.446
† – Conference champion ‡ – Tournament champion y – Invited to the NCAA Tournament As of June 4, 2019[1]; Rankings from D1Baseball

Preseason

A10 media poll

The A10 media poll was released on February 7, 2019 with the Rams predicted to finish in second place in the Atlantic 10.

Media poll (East)
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Saint Louis	(9)
2	VCU	(2)
3	Davidson	(1)
4	Fordham	(1)
5	George Mason
6	Richmond
7	Rhode Island
8	George Washington
9	Dayton
10	Saint Joseph's
11	St. Bonaventure
12	La Salle
13	UMass

Roster

2019 VCU Rams Roster[2]
	Pitchers 9 – Hayden Moore – Junior 10 – Connor Gillispie – Junior 18 – Justin Sorokowski – RS Sophomore 20 – Jaden Griffin – Freshman 23 – David Dunn – Sophomore 24 – Maddison Furman – Freshman 25 – Benjamin Dum – Senior 30 – Michael Dailey – Senior 32 – Curtis Bafus – Senior 33 – Sam Ryan – Junior 34 – Brady Underwood – Sophomore 38 – Danny Watson – Freshman 39 – Evan Chenier – Freshman 40 – Jack Alkire – Senior 42 – Carter Knapek – RS Sophomore 43 – Brooks Knapek – Sophomore		Infielders 1 – Steven Carpenter – Junior 2 – Paul Witt – Junior 3 – Brett Willett – Junior 4 – Noah Heisler – Freshman 13 – Zach Ching – RS Senior 14 – Brett Norwood – Junior 16 – Liam Hibbits – Sophomore 22 – Andrew Puglielli – Junior 27 – Brett Young – Freshman Utility 8 – Hogan Brown – Sophomore 19 – Jack Schroeder – Sophomore 28 – Mac McCarty – Senior		Catchers 15 – Hunter Vay – Sopohomore 17 – Josh Simon – Junior 21 – Logan Amiss – Freshman 31 – Connor Hicks – Freshman 36 – Matt Stallings – Sophomore 37 – Andrew Schatz – Senior Outfielders 6 – Tomas Sanchez – Freshman 12 – Brandon Henson – Junior 26 – Cooper Benzin – Freshman 41 – Alex Taylor – Freshman

Regular season

Results

2019 Atlantic 10 Baseball Records Source: A10 Baseball
Team	DAV	DAY	DUQ	FOR	GMU	GWU	LAS	UMA	URI	SBU	STJ	SLU	VCU
Davidson	—	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	1–2
Dayton	0–0	—	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0
Duquesne	0–0	0–0	—	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0
Fordham	0–0	0–0	0–0	—	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	1–2
George Mason	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	—	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–3
George Washington	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	—	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	1–2
La Salle	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	—	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–3
UMass	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	—	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–3
Rhode Island	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	—	0–0	0–0	0–0	2-1
St. Bonaventure	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	—	0–0	0–0	0–3
Saint Joseph's	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	—	0–0	0–0
Saint Louis	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	0–0	—	0–0
VCU	2–1	0–0	0–0	2–1	3–0	2–1	3–0	3–0	1–2	3–0	0–0	0–0	—

Updated with the results of all games through March 27, 2019.

Game log

Legend
	VCU win
	VCU loss
	Postponement/cancellation
(10)	Extra innings
*	Non-conference game
Bold	VCU team member
†	Make-Up Game

2019 VCU Rams Baseball Game Log
Regular Season (39–17)
February (5–3) Date Opponent Rank Site/Stadium Score Win Loss Save Attendance Overall Record A10 Record Feb. 15 at No. 21 Coastal Carolina* Chanticleer Classic Springs Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC L 8–10 M. Eardensohn (1–0) B. Dum (0–1) A. Abney (1) 2,507 0–1 — Feb. 16 vs. Campbell* Chanticleer Classic Springs Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC W 8–7 E. Chenier (1–0) W. Tyson (0–1) M. McCarty (1) 252 1–1 — Feb. 17 vs. Maryland* Chanticleer Classic Springs Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC L 3–5 N. Turnball (1–0) S. Ryan (0–1) J. Murphy (1) 271 1–2 — Feb. 21 at Wofford* Spartanburg Classic Russell C. King Field • Spartanburg, SC W 13–3 C. Gillispie (1–0) A. Higginbotham (1–1) none 139 2–2 — Feb. 22 vs. Radford* Spartanburg Classic Russell C. King Field • Spartanburg, SC Cancelled 2–2 — Feb. 23 at USC Upstate* Cleveland Harley Park • Spartanburg, SC W 7–4 J. Sorokowski (1–0) T. van der Weide (0–1) M. McCarty (2) 269 3–2 — Feb. 24 at USC Upstate* Cleveland Harley Park • Spartanburg, SC W 14–2 J. Alkire (1–0) J. Thiessen (0–1) none 257 4–2 — Feb. 26 Maryland* The Diamond • Richmond, VA L 3–4 N. Turnball (2–0) B. Dum (0–2) J. Murphy (3) 274 4–3 — Feb. 27 at No. 6 North Carolina* Boshamer Stadium • Chapel Hill, NC W 11–8 E. Chenier (2–0) C. O'Brien (1–1) none 1,469 5–3 —
March (16–4) Date Opponent Rank Site/Stadium Score Win Loss Save Attendance Overall Record A10 Record Mar. 1 Cornell* The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 6–1 S. Ryan (1–0) S. Urbon (0–2) none 240 6–3 — Mar. 2 Cornell* The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 2–0 B. Dum (1–2) C. Wyatt (0–1) M. McCarty (3) 282 7–3 — Mar. 2 Cornell* The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 9–3 J. Alkire (2–0) L. Yacinich (0–1) D. Watson (1) 391 8–3 — Mar. 8 Lafayette* The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 6–3 B. Dum (2–2) F. Craska (0–1) M. McCarty (4) 258 9–3 — Mar. 9 Lafayette* The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 7–6 S. Ryan (2–1) K. Subers (0–1) none 354 10–3 — Mar. 10 Lafayette* The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 7–3 C. Bafus (1–0) B. Kreyer (0–3) none 338 11–3 — Mar. 12 Marist* The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 8–1 D. Watson (1–0) Z. Kmietek (0–2) none 242 12–3 — Mar. 13 Marist* The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 9–3 E. Chenier (3–0) N. Cantone (0–1) S. Ryan (1) 236 13–3 — Mar. 15 at UCF* John Euliano Park • Orlando, FL L 9–10 C. Williams (2–1) C. Bafus (1–1) J. Hakanson (5) 1,242 13–4 — Mar. 16 at UCF* John Euliano Park • Orlando, FL W 4–3 B. Dum (3–2) J. Sinclar (2–2) none 1,371 14–4 — Mar. 17 at UCF* John Euliano Park • Orlando, FL L 2–8 T. Holloway (2–0) J. Sorokowski (1–1) Z. Hunsicker (1) 1,189 14–5 — Mar. 19 William & Mary* The Diamond • Richmond, VA L 3–7 R. Prosperi (3–0) J. Alkire (2–1) none 373 14–6 — Mar. 20 Towson* The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 6–0 D. Watson (2–0) D. Repine (0–3) B. Dum (1) 189 15–6 — Mar. 22 UMass The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 5–2 E. Chenier (4–0) J. Lasko (1–2) S. Ryan (2) 249 16–6 1–0 Mar. 23 UMass The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 7–2 B. Dum (4–2) Z. Clevenger (0–1) none 317 17–6 2–0 Mar. 24 UMass The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 3–1 J. Alkire (3–1) J. Pawloski (0–1) none 338 18–6 3–0 Mar. 26 VMI* The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 15–2 E. Chenier (5–0) Z. Sanders (0–2) none 877 19–6 — Mar. 29 Davidson The Diamond • Richmond, VA L 2–3 C. Sutherland (4–0) B. Dum (4–3) G. Levy (5) 471 19–7 3–1 Mar. 30 Davidson The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 7–3 J. Alkire (4–1) D. Spear (0–1) S. Ryan (3) 549 20–7 4–1 Mar. 31 Davidson The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 13–1 C. Gillispie (2–0) G. Levy (1–1) none 337 21–7 5–1
April (9–8) Date Opponent Rank Site/Stadium Score Win Loss Save Attendance Overall Record A10 Record Apr. 2 at Longwood* Buddy Bolding Stadium • Farmville, VA Postponed — — — — — — Apr. 3 at Longwood* Buddy Bolding Stadium • Farmville, VA W 12–6 D. Watson (3–0) A. Abdalah (0–2) none 115 22–7 — Apr. 5 at La Salle Hank DeVincent Field • Philadelphia, PA W 11–2 J. Alkire (5–1) C. Kennedy (1–1) none 80 23–7 6–1 Apr. 6 at La Salle Hank DeVincent Field • Philadelphia, PA W 9–6 B. Dum (5–3) C. Scanlon (2–2) S. Ryan (4) 145 24–7 7–1 Apr. 7 at La Salle Hank DeVincent Field • Philadelphia, PA W 28–4 D. Dunn (1–0) J. Ray (1–4) none 134 25–7 8–1 Apr. 9 at Old Dominion* Rivalry Metheny Ballpark • Norfolk, VA L 5–6 M. Blanchard (1–0) S. Ryan (2–2) none 367 25–8 — Apr. 12 Fordham The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 3–0 J. Sorokowski (2–1) M. Mikulski (4–4) B. Dum (2) 286 26–8 9–1 Apr. 13 Fordham The Diamond • Richmond, VA L 1–11 J. Stankiewicz (6–1) C. Bafus (1–2) none 318 26–9 9–2 Apr. 14 Fordham The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 8–3 C. Gillispie (3–0) A. DiMeglio (2–3) S. Ryan (5) 588 27–9 10–2 Apr. 16 Old Dominion* Rivalry The Diamond • Richmond, VA L 5–7 A. Holiday (3–1) B. Dum (5–4) T. Fisher (4) 603 27–10 — Apr. 19 at Richmond Capital City Classic Malcolm U. Pitt Field • Tuckahoe, VA L 5–8 A. Balducci (2–2) S. Ryan (2–3) none 578 27–11 10–3 Apr. 20 at Richmond Capital City Classic Malcolm U. Pitt Field • Tuckahoe, VA W 16–3 J. Alkire (6–1) K. Morrison (1–1) none 642 28–11 11–3 Apr. 21 at Richmond Capital City Classic Malcolm U. Pitt Field • Tuckahoe, VA L 4–5 (11) L. Looney (2–0) B. Dum (5–5) none 682 28–12 11–4 Apr. 23 at Maryland* Shipley Field • College Park, MD L 5–10 S. Fisher (1–1) D. Watson (1–3) none 431 28–13 — Apr. 26 George Washington The Diamond • Richmond, VA L 1–2 T. Kuncl (1–1) B. Dum (5–6) none 308 28–14 11–5 Apr. 27 George Washington The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 4–3 (10) S. Ryan (3–3) J. Edwards (6–3) none 611 29–14 12–5 Apr. 28 George Washington The Diamond • Richmond, VA W 9–7 D. Watson (4–1) N. Woods (2–2) C. Bafus (1) 537 30–14 13–5 Apr. 30 Virginia* Duel at the Diamond The Diamond • Richmond, VA L 2–3 D. Ortiz (4–0) C. Gillispie (3–1) K. Whitten (9) 3,890 30–15 —
May (9–2) Date Opponent Rank Site/Stadium Score Win Loss Save Attendance Overall Record A10 Record May 1 at VMI* Gray–Minor Stadium • Lexington, VA W 11–2 E. Chenier (6–0) C. Johnston (0–3) none 348 31–15 — May 5 at Duke* Jack Coombs Field • Durham, NC L 1–2 B. Gross (6–3) C. Gillispie (3–2) T. Girard (8) 737 31–16 — May 5 at Duke* Jack Coombs Field • Durham, NC W 5–3 S. Ryan (4–3) J. Carey (3–1) none 737 32–16 — May 8 at Norfolk State* Marty L. Miller Field • Norfolk, VA W 12–4 D. Watson (5–1) K. Alicea (2–4) none 189 33–16 — May 10 at Saint Joseph's Smithson Field • Merion, PA W 9–3 J. Sorokowski (3–1) J. Divalerio (4–5) B. Dum (3) 229 34–16 14–5 May 11 at Saint Joseph's Smithson Field • Merion, PA W 13–3 C. Gillispie (4–2) L. Zimmerman (1–2) D. Watson (2) 255 35–16 15–5 May 12 at Saint Joseph's Smithson Field • Merion, PA W 4–0 C. Bafus (2–2) R. Devine (2–2) S. Ryan (6) 311 36–16 16–5 May 14 at Virginia* Davenport Field • Charlottesville, VA L 7–8 K. Whitten (2–1) B. Dum (5–7) R. Wilson (1) 3,147 36–17 — May 16 at George Mason Rivalry Spuhler Field • Fairfax, VA W 9–4 C. Gillispie (5–2) P. Halligan (4–5) S. Ryan (7) 119 37–17 17–5 May 17 at George Mason Rivalry Spuhler Field • Fairfax, VA W 3–2 C. Bafus (3–2) B. Marconi (3–8) B. Dum (4) 142 38–17 18–5 May 18 at George Mason Rivalry Spuhler Field • Fairfax, VA W 15–2 J. Sorokowski (4–1) J. Dicesare (4–7) none 324 39–17 19–5
Post-Season (0–2)
Atlantic 10 Tournament (0–2) Date Opponent Rank Site/Stadium Score Win Loss Save Attendance Overall Record Postseason Record May 22 at (4) Fordham First round (1) Houlihan Park • The Bronx, NY L 1–2 J. Stankiewicz (8–3) C. Gillispie (5–3) K. Martin (10) 0 39–18 0–1 May 23 vs. (5) Richmond Second round – Consolation bracket (1) Houlihan Park • The Bronx, NY L 2–6 B. McGuigan (3–4) J. Sorokowski (4–2) J. Delarso (8) 668 39–19 0–2

Rankings

Main article: 2019 NCAA Division I baseball rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	Final
Coaches'[3]	NR	NR*	NR*	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR
Baseball America[4]	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR
Collegiate Baseball^[5]	RV	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	RV	RV	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR
NCBWA†[6]	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR
D1Baseball[7]	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR

^ Collegiate Baseball ranks 40 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 30 teams weekly during the season.
† NCBWA ranks 35 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 30 teams weekly during the season.
* New poll was not released for this week so for comparison purposes the previous week's ranking is inserted in this week's slot.

References

1. "Atlantic 10 Conference baseball standings, teams, and schedules". D1Baseball. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
2. "2018 VCU Baseball Roster". VCU Athletics.
3. "NCAA Baseball - Coaches Poll". USA Today. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
4. "College Top 25". Baseball America. March 11, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
5. "2019 Collegiate Baseball Polls". baseballnews.com.
6. "NCBWA Top 30 Polls". sportswriters.net. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
7. "D1 Baseball: Rankings". d1baseball.com. Retrieved March 17, 2019.