Baseball Is Back! Purple Knights Set To Open The 2021 Season At Home On Thursday Against Queens (N.Y.) College

Bridgeport, Conn.-It's been over a year since the University of Bridgeport baseball program played a game, but that drought of 376 days is scheduled to come to an end, this Thursday, March 25, when the Purple Knights are slated to open their 2021 campaign at 3:00 p.m. in Seaside Park by hosting the Queens (N.Y.) College Knights.

Head coach Joe Tonelli, who is entering his ninth season in the Bridgeport dugout, will pilot a 2021 squad that will play a 21-game East Coast Conference-only schedule starting with a three-game series versus Queens (N.Y.). 

Last season, the Purple Knights posted a 5-6-1 record before seeing the remainder of their season cancelled.

Look for seniors, infielder Conall Roberts (Mount Laurel, N.J.) and Anthony Martino (West Sayville, N.Y.), who have been selected as this year's team captains to lead the club.  Roberts scored 10 runs in the abbreviated 2020 season, along with generating a .333 on-base percentage, and Martino fanned nearly one batter per inning last year.

Also back on this year's roster are senior Matt Rodriguez (New Milford, Conn.) who batted .364 with five RBI in 2020, and junior Ryan Donnelly (Fairfield, Conn.), who last season, posted a .354 batting average with 12 runs scored and four stolen bases.

Versatile graduate student Andre Marchesseault (Cheshire, Conn.) is back to make a positive impact on both offense and defense for the Purple Knights after seeing his initial campaign at UB cut short.

Senior Stephen Giambra (Milford, Conn.), junior Craig Leonard (Holtsville, N.Y.), plus sophomores Shane McCone (Milford, Conn.) and Jacob Rich (Northwood, N.H.) return as position players for add to the success of the 2021 Purple Knights.

On the mound, senior Andrew Francella (New Rochelle, N.Y.), juniors William Ciccone (Shelton, Conn.), Justin Hafele (Shelton, Conn.) and Matthew Wirz (Stamford, Conn.) plus sophomores Justin Nyarady (Trumbull, Conn.) and Tyler Solomon (Blue Point, N.Y.) are back looking to stymie the opposition's offensive attack.

A solid group of six newcomers join the Bridgeport baseball program this season to add quality to the Purple Knights' team on the mound and around the diamond.

Fans can follow all the action of 2021 at www.ubknights.com where links for live stats and video of games will be posted.

2021 Spring Sports Attendance Policy

Attendance at 2021 University of Bridgeport Spring athletic events will be limited to members of the UB community (students, faculty and staff) only, who can show active compliance with the University's CoVID-19 protocols.

Access to the venues for women's lacrosse, softball and baseball will not open for spectators until 30 minutes before the scheduled event start time, and everyone will be required to wear approved face coverings and maintain social distancing rules.

Also, bleacher seating at baseball and softball contests will be limited to team members only to increase social distancing, so spectators are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets, as standing will not be permitted near the backstops or the dugouts.