Bucknell’s senior co-captain, pitcher/DH Jason Buursma finished first in the Patriot League with a 1.65 ERA last season, the second lowest mark in league history. He also ranked in the top ten in league in opponents' batting average, finishing third at .217, as well as sixth in the PL in slugging percentage at .455. Overall the mighty righty from the birthplace of grunge, Starbucks and booty aficionado Sir-Mix-a-Lot, ended the year at 4-1, with five saves and 35 strikeouts over 43.2 innings; however that’s the half the story. When not on the hill, Buursma was in the batter’s box. He hit .299 with 22 runs scored, 23 RBI and 14 extra base hits while playing the field. Along the way he established a new school record for saves, earning a spot amongst the greatest to play hardball in Bucknell’s 120 year history, putting himself in the same company as former Bison and MLB and College Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson.

However Buursma would gladly trade his personal accolades to end his career in Bucknell a winner. Last season the Orange and Blue finished with a record of 16-24, 8-12 in the Patriot League. A respectable record, but room to improve. The hungry Bison and Buursma will be looking to bring the Patriot League title to Lewisburg.

While sitting out a rain delay last Friday in Richmond, Kentucky at Eastern Kentucky's Early Bird Tournament, the senior leader took some time to answer some questions from Ping!:

PING!: Was there any hesitation to returning back to campus after being selected by your hometown Seattle Mariners in last year?s MLB amateur draft?

Buursma: It was very tempting to be able to concentrate solely on playing ball without school, but I knew I wanted to finish school no matter what. It helped my decision to go late in the draft, making the incentives almost nonexistent. I also wanted another year to get stronger and really try and focus on pitching. Besides, no one wants to leave college without a championship ring on their finger, right?

PING!: What brought you across the country from Seattle, Washington to Bucknell in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania?

Buursma: I went to a prep school in Seattle and a lot of kids went back east to go to school so it was kind of the thing to do. I didn't really want to go to school in California, and to be honest, there aren't that many other schools out west that could offer me what Bucknell does. I also have visited lots of places on the west coast and playing ball on the east coast would give me a great opportunity to see a lot of new places.

PING!: Are there as many coffee shops in Seattle as people joke that there are?

Buursma: There definitely are. I could find a Starbucks, or any other coffee shop, in about three minutes from almost any place in the city. We need caffeine to keep us upbeat and happy with all the clouds and rain.

PING!: Is there anywhere in Lewisburg where you can order a, ?Decaf grande half- soy, half-low fat, iced vanilla, double-shot, gingerbread cappuccino, extra dry, light ice, with one Sweet-n?-Low and one NutraSweet? like back at home?

Buursma: We have a 24-hour coffee shop on campus that serves Starbucks and you can get any drink they normally serve besides frappuccinos so I feel pretty comfortable. I'd probably get some funny looks, but I could probably get one of those drinks.

PING!: In addition to putting up some brilliant pitching numbers, earning four wins and five saves with a 1.65 ERA in 43.2 innings and a nearly three-to-one strikeout radio, you put up some nice batting numbers at the plate as well (hit .299 with 14 extra base hits, .455 slugging percentage). If you were to concentrate exclusively on pitching (or batting for that matter), do you think your numbers would improve much or does being a two-way player help you in developing your game?

Buursma: It would be nice to be able to focus on doing one thing since we have limited practice time, and I do think that I could improve in one area. However, being a two way player helps me to forget the lows that I have from either pitching or hitting and I can move past these moments easier. If Ii had a rough day at the plate but came in to get a save to help our team get a win, an otherwise personally frustrating day would be much easier to deal with and move on. Playing both positions also help me mentally with each one, since understanding how hitters think can help me as a pitcher and vice versa.

PING!: Have you always pitched with a submarine type delivery? What are the origins of your unique delivery and how has it helped you become the effective pitcher you are?

Buursma: I started throwing submarine in high school. I was messing around with it one day and my pitching coach turned out to be a submarine pitcher in his career so he taught me the ropes. I used to alternate pitches submarine and over the top until I got to college where my over the top pitchers were very ordinary. I definitely would not be the pitcher I am without my delivery. It always helps to add a bunch of movement to your fastball from an arm slot that many collegiate players rarely see.

PING!: You spent the last two seasons as a closer, however with the graduation of a couple of last years starters, you'll be moving into the starting rotation this year. Will the change in role and effect the way you pitch either physically or mentally?

Buursma: I spent the summer playing for the Seattle Studs where I was a starter so I have some practice. It doesn't really change the way I pitch physically, I still go all out and try and challenge hitters. However, it will change my mentality as a pitcher. As a closer I would get frustrated if I gave up a few hits or a run. As a starter I'm going to have to force myself to realize that I am going to give up hits and that I am going to give up runs and try hard not to let that get to me.

PING!: How do feel about this year's edition of the Bison being able to compete for the Patriot League crown?

Buursma: Bucknell seems to get bashed every year with preseason rankings but I really like the mix of guys this year. We have had some really good players come through our program since I have been there but I think this years team has the most overall talent. There is going to be a lot of competition for starting spots since we have some younger guys that can hit. Most importantly, our guys are tired of not getting respect. We are hungry and often times that can lift a team over a superior opponent. We want to make our mark in the Patriot League and we have been working hard all off season in preparation for a run at the crown.

PING!: Does it chap you hide knowing that if you had got just one more hit or had one less at bats you would have finished last season with a batting average over .300?

Buursma: Not really. Would we have made playoffs if I hit .315 instead of .299? probably not. I want to win and I would gladly exchange a .150 batting average for a Patriot :eague championship. Personal statistics only matter to me if we accomplish something as a team, otherwise, playing well personally is much less satisfying.

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