Purdue Calumet Opens 2015 Campaign With Eight Games In Florida

PUC-PeregrinsThe Purdue University Calumet baseball team will begin its second season in program history Sunday, as the Peregrines play seven games in five days in Kissimmee, Fla., surrounding area for the RussMat Invitational.

Purdue Calumet will face St. Ambrose (Iowa) for a doubleheader on Sunday, William Penn (Iowa) for a doubleheader on Monday, Aquinas College (Mich.) on Tuesday, and Trinity International (Ill.) in single games on Wednesday and Thursday.

2014 RECAP
Purdue Calumet finished its inaugural season 5-24, finishing the year on a high note with two wins over Illinois Tech. Sophomore CJ Gear (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) started in 26 games behind the plate for the Peregrines and led the team with a .380 batting average with 30 hits and eight RBIs. Senior Anthony Colosimo (Loyola Academy, Lake Forest, Ill.) notched a .341 batting average, tied for the team lead with 30 hits and lead the team with 15 RBIs. John Livingston (Highland, Ind./Highland) made five starts for the Peregrines going 2-3 with a 6.75 ERA in 28 innings pitched to go along with 23 punchouts.

Scouting the Peregrines' Florida Opponents
Sunday, 12 p.m (DH): St. Ambrose (Iowa) 2-3
Location: 1000 North Palm Ave., Frostproof, Fla.

The Fighting Bees finished 28-16, and 16-8 in the Midwest Collegiate Conference in 2014. Matt Rosenberger leads the way for St. Ambrose with eight hits, nine RBIs and a .471 batting average through the team's first five games. Tommy Argo is 2-0 on the mound with a 1.23 ERA for the Fighting Bees.

Monday, 1:30 p.m. (DH): William Penn (Iowa) 2-0
Location: 500 Cleatus Allen Drive, Winter Haven, Fla. (Field 5)

The Statesmen finished 25-19, and 11-12 in the MCC in 2014. Connor Sutton leads the way for the Statesmen so far this season, recording four hits with two home runs and four runs batted in. Josh Ruiz is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA after one start which Ruiz had a complete game shutout, recording 11 punch outs and just two walks.

Tuesday, 3:30 p.m. (Single Game): Aquinas (Mich.) 0-0
Location: 500 Cleatus Allen Drive, Winter Haven, Fla. (Field 3)

The Saints went 22-21, 12-14 in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference in 2014. Brad Slis led the team in hitting in 2014 with a .330 batting average with 32 hits to go along with 15 RBIs. Cody Ritsema had three starts last season for the Saints going 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA and 13 strikeouts.

Wednesday, 9 a.m., Thursday, 9:30 a.m.: Trinity International (Ill.)
Wed. Location: 905 Lake Myrtle Park Road, Auburndale, Fla.
Thurs. Location: 500 Cleatus Allen Drive, Winter Haven, Fla.

The Trojans are 0-6 so far this season after going 11-29, 7-20 in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference in 2014. Colt Foerch has started all six games in the outfield for the Trojans, notching a .400 batting average at the plate and two RBIs.