Villanova, Pa. – Villanova baseball is set to kick of its 2020 campaign with a series out west at Arizona State this weekend. After laying the foundation last season, this year's roster features veterans across the diamond that should be poised to build on experience gained last year.
 
Eight position players that made at least 30 starts last season are back, and they are joined by the two pitchers that led the team in innings, ERA, and wins a year ago.
 
Villanova, picked to finish sixth in the BIG EAST, is headlined by pre-season All-BIG EAST Selections Nick Lorusso and Gordon Graceffo. The pair of sophomores each had standout freshman seasons and enter 2020 ready to make an even bigger impact.
 
Take a look at the players that will piece together the 2020 Villanova baseball team:
 
PITCHERS
Villanova should have a deep pitching staff featuring a solid mix of veterans and newcomers. The starting rotation is headlined by Gordon Graceffo and Jimmy Kingsbury, the top two starters from a year ago. At least one of the two in the pair pitched in 11 of 13 wins last season. Kingsbury, now a junior, led the team in wins (5) and ERA (4.13) a season ago. As a freshman, Graceffo quickly found his place amid the starting rotation and worked the second most innings (72.0). He finished with a 4.88 ERA and is expected by many to take a step forward this season, being tabbed to the preseason All-BIG EAST team.  
 
Mike Schwartz figures to be a top arm out of the bullpen. The senior left-hander has added some velocity to an already good fastball and will look to be a strikeout pitcher again this year. Last year, Schwartz finished fourth on the team strikeouts (34) while pitching only 29.1 innings.
 
Cameron Mathes will be another returner looking to build on his production from a season ago. The junior led the team with 27 appearances last year and posted a 5.98 ERA while striking out 32.
 
There are plenty of new arms in the program this season, with a graduate transfer and fivefreshmen pitchers.
 
Graduate transfer Cam Kovachik joined the team this winter following three years at Duke (one redshirt year) and is eligible right away. The 6'6" righty underwent multiple arm surgeries during his time at Duke but should be back to full-strength by opening day and provide another power arm for the rotation.
 
Among the freshman are Cole Vanderslice and Brandon Siegenthaler, two rightys that will likely be in the mix for a starting job. Another pair of rightys, Jack Povey and Chic DeGaetano, were each impressive in the fall and will help add depth to the rotation. Danny Wilkinson adds a third left-handed arm to the bullpen, which is always an asset.
 
 
INFIELDERS
The infield for the 2020 Villanova squad is laden with veterans. Former All-BIG EAST first baseman Ryan Toohers is now a senior and looking to get back to posting all-conference numbers after a dip last season. Toohers has been tabbed a captain of this year's team and put in the work in the offseason to increase his production this year.
 
Pat O'Neill started 49 games a season ago, primarily at second base, and will return to his post for his junior year. O'Neill hit .268 last year and was a threat on the base paths, leading the team with seven stolen bases.
 
His middle-infield partner, Dylan McNary, is also back. McNary won the starting shortstop job as a freshman and started 48 games. McNary hit just .230, but worked 22 walks and was hit by 12 pitches, making him a tough out at the plate.
 
Third base will likely see time split between two more vets. Reigning BIG EAST Rookie of the Year Nick Lorusso will see some time there as he works to make the All-BIG EAST team for a second straight season. The sophomore was tabbed to the Preseason All-BIG EAST team ahead of this year. Lorusso led the team in average (.302), OBP (.408), slugging (.425) last season.
 
Tim Lilly is another favorite to see time at third. The senior led the team with five home runs last season. Bringing a big power threat, his bat will likely find the lineup whether it's at the hot corner or DH.
 
Dom Sarro will provide the middle infield depth after making 16 appearances last season. Freshman AJ Hansen impressed during the fall and will get chances early on to prove himself in the middle infield as well.
 
Corner infield depth will be provided by Jeff Manto at third base, and Matt Pinone, coming off a redshirt freshman season, at first base.

 
OUTFIELD
Chris Rotondo was as much of a staple in the lineup as there could be last season being the only Wildcat to start all 51 games. The junior finished second on the team in average (.264) and OBP (.746) among the everyday starters. He was also a threat to run once he got on, posting a team-best seven stolen bases. In addition to his offense, he posted a .983 fielding percentage on the year, the third best among players with 50+ chances.
 
Tyler Bruno made 42 appearances and 31 starts last season, leaving him in a position to return to one of the corner outfield spots this year. Bruno hit just .190, but had a steady glove in the outfield, making only one error on the season and posting a fielding percentage of .985. If the senior gets the bat going again as he did his sophomore season, he will be poised for a huge final year.
 
With another corner outfield spot up for grabs, junior Sam Margulis will look to fill the role. Margulis hit .255 a season ago across 31 starts. With a knack for drawing walks or getting hit, he pushed his OBP to .350.
 
CATCHERS
Villanova should have plenty of depth behind the plate this season. Will Reiner made 11 starts last season and showed some power at the plate. In a limited sample size, four of Reiner's nine hits went for extra bases, including a pair of triples and a home run.
 
Freshman John Whooley was impressive during the fall and will likely see action right away. The Wycoff, NJ native handled most of the catching duties and hit .238 during the fall in his first collegiate action.
 
Senior Colin Bergh and freshman Lucas Latrenta are also candidates to provide innings behind the plate throughout the season.