Starting Pitching

The Golden Griffin pitching staff will be led by fifth-year senior Shane Davis, the winningest pitcher in program history who has a shot at the MAAC victories record. Davis, who broke the program record for victories as a sophomore, is 30-6 his career. The Belmont, Ontario native has accumulated a number of awards - 2008 MAAC Pitcher of the Year, 2008 MAAC Rookie of the Year, an All-American after that season and two-time all-MAAC First-Team selection.

Davis needs nine wins to become the winningest pitcher in MAAC history. He ranks fourth in program history in ERA (4.52) among pitchers with at least 100 innings pitched and first in walks per nine innings (2.40).

"It's very nice to have a guy who can eat innings and give you a chance to win each start," Mike McRae said. "Our team is confident when Shane takes the mound."

Fifth-year senior Chris Cox solidified the No. 2 spot in the rotation last season. Cox, who pitched sparingly during his first three seasons, grabbed a hold of the No. 2 spot in the weekend rotation to go 4-1 in seven starts during MAAC play, striking out 67 batters in 69.2 innings pitched on the season. He has carried over the confidence gained from the 2010 season to give Canisius two fifth-year seniors at the top of the rotation.

"Chris was good from early on in non-conference last season, but now he is even better," McRae said. "He has some, if not the best stuff in the league when you put his velocity, arsenal and movement together. Last year was a tremendous boost for his confidence."

The third spot in the weekend rotation for conference play is up for grabs between four pitchers - junior Alex Tufts, redshirt sophomore Billy Martin, sophomore Scott Whitehead and freshman Garrett Cortright. In non-conference play, the Griffs have a number of four-game series, which will allow this quartet to compete for the No. 3 spot in the rotation during MAAC play. Whoever doesn't move into the weekend rotation will start for the Griffs during mid-week games as well as be available in the bullpen.

Bullpen

The Griffs lose their two-headed closer monster with the graduation of Shayne Willson and Andrew Van'tWout. The duo combined for 10 saves and seven victories in 33 appearances last season as a hard-throwing, late-inning, righty-lefty combination.

Entering the season, McRae said junior Ryan Fennell and sophomore Jordan Cave would be given the opportunity to seize the closer role. Fennell, who has a long frame at 6-foot-4, continues to improve, allowing zero or one earned run in 11 of 17 appearances last season. Cave also developed throughout his freshman season as he posted a 3.86 ERA in his final nine appearances, throwing 1.2 scoreless innings against Rider in the MAAC Championship. Freshman Jon Fitzsimmons also has a shot to be the closer as the season progresses.

McRae expects the role of senior Josh Marshall to change into more of a situational lefty. Marshall tied for fourth in the conference with six wins last season and tied the program record with 22 appearances. That number of appearances figures to increase with Marshall being on the mound for fewer batters but more often. McRae also sees roles for redshirt junior Tim Seil as well as redshirt sophomore Nathan Linseman and freshman John DiMura.