The Bishop O'Connell baseball team experienced a season of "ups and downs" in 2002. The Knights, coached by Gary Rucker, finished the campaign with an overall record of 14-12. However, in the competitive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, the Knights finished with a respectable record of 10-6.

"We lost some very close one-run and two-run games to non-league opponents such as Landon, Georgetown Prep and St. Alban’s," said Rucker.

In the conference quarterfinals, O'Connell thumped Ireton 10-1 as junior lefthander Billy Tinsley pitched six complete innings to notch the victory.

O’Connell lost to DeMatha in the semi-finals 5-0. Junior lefthander Matt Fitzgerald took the loss, despite yielding only four hits in seven complete innings.

For the season, Tinsley finished with a 5-3 record and 2.74 ERA. Fitzgerald finished the year 3-4 (2.72 ERA). Junior Ben Mulloy finished the season 2-1 and led the team with an ERA of 2.42. He threw two complete games.

At the plate, senior rightfielder Andy Puglisi led the Knights with a .449 average. The son of former Knights standout pitcher Jim Puglisi also hit nine doubles, had 19 RBIs and stole eight bases. Senior Ryan Fay (outfield/designated hitter) batted .400.

"Unfortunately Ryan suffered a wrist injury midway through the season," said Rucker. "He came back, however, and finished the season strong."

Puglisi and Fay were the Knights captains.

Junior Steve Fay (catcher) batted .363, with 10 doubles, 14 RBIs and seven stolen bases. Sophomore Bush Hamdan (second base) batted .326 with two home runs, seven doubles, 10 RBIs and eight stolen bases. Junior Corey McCahill (outfielder) batted .325 and had a solid season offensively.

The Panthers finished 11-17 overall (7-9 W.C.A.C.), which included league wins versus against Good Counsel, Carroll, O'Connell, Ireton and McNamara.

Coach Keith Newcomb departed in mid-April. Tom Hall (Newcomb's assistant) completed the final month as skipper.

The leading pitchers included: Steve Jones, Pat Commins and Steve Grodek.

Leading the Panthers offensively was sophomore centerfielder T.J. Guinan who batted .357 with three triples, seven doubles, 11 stolen bases and 15 RBIs. Freshman Scott Eastment (third base) batted .327 with two doubles and two stolen bases. Junior Gabe Ralston (outfield) batted .298 with three doubles and seven stolen bases.