US Baseball Pro

Jason Buursma pitches, hits, plays all over the field and even runs the game music for Bucknell’s baseball team. Name the task and he’s handled it as the Bison’s do-it-all star.

“I just like to play,” the senior pitcher and outfielder said. “I like to be out there. Put me anyplace and I’m happy.”

And it shows. Buursma is one of the country’s top two-way players, serving as the Bison’s ace pitcher and top hitter.

Entering this weekend’s Patriot League tournament semifinal series against Army, the right-hander was 5-3 with a 3.16 ERA, 65 strikeouts, 10 walks and six complete games using an incredibly deceptive submarine-style delivery that induces lots of groundball outs. Buursma has been just as good at the plate, hitting .400 with 11 homers, 34 RBIs and 29 runs scored.

“We’ve had a couple of guys who have done both things, but maybe they were stronger in one area than another,” coach Gene Depew said. “Jason is basically at the top in both sides of it. I’ve never had anyone quite at this level.”