RICHMOND, Va. – Owen Tappy was ranked among the best relief pitchers in the nation in D1Baseball's preseason player rankings, coming in at No. 65. The recognition follows the Rams' 2024 Atlantic 10 Championship season.
 
D1Baseball cited its guiding principle in compiling preseason player rankings simply, "if we were building a team to win the 2025 national title, which players would we choose?"
 
The Charlotte, N.C., native was a standout addition to the Rams' bullpen in 2024, compiling a 7-2 record with a team-leading five saves and a 3.12 ERA. In 43.1 innings of work, Tappy gave up just six walks. He made 24 appearances in relief during his first season with VCU, 17 of which were scoreless and nine without surrendering a hit.
 
Tappy picked up a save against St. Joseph's in the Atlantic 10 Tournament en route to the title game and tossed a scoreless inning in the Rams' 16-1 rout of Richmond in the A-10 Championship Final. From March 24 through April 28, he made nine consecutive scoreless appearances, not giving up a hit in five straight.
 
The graduate student returns for his second season with VCU, poised to resume his role as a vital component of the Rams' staff.
 
Jacob Lee and Adrian Jimenez, a pair of freshmen in the Black and Gold, were also mentions for the Rams in D1Baseball's preseason coverage. Lee was tabbed the No. 2 projected impact freshman in the Atlantic 10. Jimenez was also recognized as an A-10 impact freshman, coming in at No. 6 on the publication's list.
 
VCU and first-year head coach Sean Thompson will open their season with an eight-game road trip, starting with a weekend series at Charleston on Feb. 14-16.