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| Arcadia enters the NCAA Tournament as the No. 20 team in the nation. | PHOTO: Arcadia Athletics |
The Knights will face Ramapo at Johns Hopkins, with the first pitch scheduled for 2:30 p.m. This matchup will follow the opener between the host No. 6 Blue Jays and St. Joseph's (L.I.) at 11:00 a.m.
Arcadia is making its third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Regionals and its fifth overall since 2017, having earned its first-ever at-large bid.The Knights are led by First Team All-MAC Freedom selection Anthony Bruno, who topped the nation in RBIs with 74 and set new program records for home runs in a season and career, as well as for RBIs in a season.
Justin Massielo, Matthew Sot, and Kevin Wheeler also earned first-team honors, contributing to Arcadia's impressive tally of 12 players on the All-Conference list.
First-year Head Coach Chuck Thielmann was named Co-Coach of the Year.
On the mound, Arcadia features Second Team All-MAC Freedom honorees Will Conroy and Nadell Booker. Conroy delivered a standout performance earlier this year, pitching 6 2/3 innings and allowing three runs with nine strikeouts in a 15-6 victory over then-No. 1 Johns Hopkins on February 25th at Babb Field.
The Knights aim to advance to their first-ever Super Regional in 2024.
Ramapo is making its 14th appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament and its first under current head coach Ryan Rinsky. The Roadrunners seek to reach their second Super Regional, their last appearance being in 2015. Zack Bailey leads Ramapo offensively, having earned First Team All-NJAC honors with a .403 batting average, 62 hits, 14 doubles, two triples, and five home runs.
On the mound, James Pazdera leads with a 3-0 record, a 2.66 ERA, and 56 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings.
Due to inclement weather forecasted for Baltimore on Saturday and Sunday, the losers of each first-round game will face off on Friday at 6:00 p.m., deviating from the usual format.
The winners of the first-round matchups will play on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
