The home run king’s final season. A top ten preseason ranking. An All-American pitcher. These are just some of the most exciting aspects of the Cortland baseball team’s 2024 season.
Mat Bruno Steps to the Plate for the Final Time
Over the past five plus years, graduate student and captain Mat Bruno has now racked up a total of 27 home runs, a Cortland career record with a lead of three over the next closest slugger. He’s already homered twice in the first eight games of the season, and he’s only going to build upon that record as the season progresses.
“Mat has dedicated many years to Cortland Baseball and is all in all the time no matter what it is,” fellow outfielder Chris Bonacci said.
Tied for the longest tenured member of the team, Bruno’s final season is one you won’t want to miss.
Dylan Beers Continues to Dominate
Posting a 1.80 ERA in 2 appearances so far this season, All-American Dylan Beers is looking as good as ever. The first Cortland player to receive the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) honor since 2018, Beers is only in his junior year at Cortland, and is ready to continue racking up strikeouts.
Last year, Beers threw a no-hitter against SUNY Oswego in a 10-0 Cortland victory. Cortland sees Oswego this season in a three-game series in late April, and number 18 will be looking for a repeat of last year’s outing.
Cortland Ranks Among the Best of DIII
While all Cortland sports are some of the best in the nation, the baseball team in particular is right at the top. With 389 baseball teams in Division III of the NCAA, Cortland secured the number ten ranking this preseason, within five spots of last year’s national champs, Lynchburg, who they’ve already defeated this year.
As Veterans Graduate, Positions Shake Up
After five years on the team each, the baseball team lost Gold Glover first baseman Matthew Krafft and second baseman Andrew Michalski to graduation. With openings at first and second base for the first time in years for Cortland, there are some new faces to pay attention to at those positions.
Junior Nick Chemotti is taking over the second base position after being last season’s DH, and junior Mitchell Kelly and freshman Nolan Smith are making their cases for the starting first base role.
The Pitching Staff Gets Some Help
There are also some fresh faces to look for in the starting rotation. Luis Misla and Devin Georgetti, both transfers, hope to improve upon what has been a weak spot for Cortland in the pitching staff. Junior Will McCarthy is also in the mix, winning seven games last year, including an NCAA regional game vs. Eastern Connecticut State.
“I think as a team, in totality, it’s the depth of our pitching staff [that we’re most excited about this season] for sure,” said Head Coach Joe Brown earlier this season. “I think that was an area that we wanted to improve upon.”