Atlantic Sun Baseball 2010 Preview

High Expectations For FGCU In First Year Of NCAA Eligibility

2009 Regular Season Champion: Florida Gulf Coast

2009 Tournament Champion: Jacksonville defeated Lipscomb 7-4 to win their 4^th A-Sun title.

End of the Rhodes: North Florida head coach Dusty Rhodes announced that 2010 will be his last season with the Ospreys.  Rhodes announced his retirement last August.  He will have spent 23 season at the helm, starting the program from scratch and guiding UNF to 16 postseason appearances, including 5 trips to the College World Series (2 in NAIA, 3 in NCAA Division II).  UNF announced that their home field will be named after Rhodes and will be dedicated March 6^th before their home game against Alcorn State.

Florida Gulf Coast is the unanimous choice to win the A-Sun title according to the coaches.  FGCU won the title last season winning 23 conference games becoming the first Atlantic Sun team to win back-to-back conference titles in its first 2 years in the league since the conference went to a one-division formant in 1999.

Belmont

2009 Season: (29-29, 15-15)

Nickname: Bruins

Head Coach: David Jarvis

Location: Nashville, TN

Vitals: .295 BA, 63 HR, .382 OBP, .959 Fld. %…6.47 ERA, 6 CG, 10 SVs, 294 K, 237 BB, .316 Opp. BA

Hole in the Middle: Belmont loses three top players from last year, including their 3-4 hitters Derek Wiley (.308, 17 HR, 51 RBI), the A-Sun’s career homerun hitter, and Brandon McCall (.344, 8 HR, 48 RBI) who combined to score or drive in 46.7 percent of Belmont’s runs in 2009.   The Bruins must also replace 2B Daniel Wagner (.323, 10 HR, 57 RBI).

Who’s Back: While Belmont loses a lot of offense they do bring back a couple key parts.  So. OF Dylan Craig (.397, 92 H, 9 triples) was the Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year and a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American.  Jr. C Matt Zeblo (.335, 5 HR, 35 RBI) returns behind the plate.

Campbell

2009 Season: (27-24, 7-19)

Nickname: Fighting Camels

Head Coach: Greg Goff

Location: Buies Creek, NC

Vitals: .346 BA, 42 HR, .444 OBP, .966 Fld. %…6.95 ERA, 2 CG, 7 SVs, 337 K, 186 BB, .353 Opp. BA

Great Offense: Campbell’s offensive numbers in 2009 stack up with some of the best in the nation.  They were ranked in the top 10 nationally in team BA (.346), scoring (10.1), doubles per game (2.78), stolen bases per game (2.29), and hit by pitch (123).  They also had three players hit over .400 for the season.

Key Returners: Campbell loses top hitter Ryan Hamme (.438, 26 doubles, 51 RBI), but do bring back two key offensive players from a season ago.  Leading the offense this season will be Sr. OF Zach Johnson (.380, 29 doubles, 12 HR), who led the nation in doubles last year, and Jr. 2B Ellis Lowe (.404, 5 HR, 62 RBI).  On the mound, Sr. LHP Jeff Rydman (5-1, 5.43 ERA, 45 K) will lead the staff.

East Tennessee State

2009 Season: (25-28, 10-20)

Nickname: Buccaneers

Head Coach: Tony Skole

Location: Johnson City, TN

Vitals: .313 BA, 72 HR, .398 OBP, .948 Fld. %…8.27 ERA, 2 CG, 8 SVs, 293 K, 218 BB, .349 Opp. BA

Big Bucs: ETSU returns its top two sluggers from last year in Jr. 1B Paul Hoilman (.380, 17 HR, 66 RBI) and So. 3B Bo Reeder (.339, 15 HR, 53 RBI).  Both Hoilmand and Reeder earned 3^rd team preseason All-American honors from Louisville Slugger.

On the mound, the Bucs return Jr. RHP Chas Byrne (6-4, 5.53 ERA, 67 K), and Bo Reeder, who in addition to putting up big power number at the plate, went 4-4, with 1 CG and 1 SV on the rubber.

Traveling’ Men: ETSU makes its first ever trip to the West Coast this season when they travel to take on Oregon in Eugene May 14-16^th.

Florida Gulf Coast

2009 Season: (36-18, 23-7)

Nickname: Eagles

Head Coach: Dave Tollett

Location: Fort Myers, FL

Vitals: .320 BA, 74 HR, .409 OBP, .962 Fld. %…5.02 ERA, 3 CG, 14 SVs, 460 K, 169 BB, .290 Opp. BA

Conference Power: Florida Gulf Coast swept the preseason honors from the A-Sun.  They were picked to win the conference for the third year in a row by the coaches.  1B Zach Maxfield (.383, 20 HR, 66 RBI) was named the preseason A-Sun Player of the Year, while Jr. LHP Chris Sale (7-4, 2.72 ERA, 104 K) is the preseason Pitcher of the Year.  Sale also was named a 1^st team All-American by Baseball America, a 2^nd team All-American from Ping!, and was the Cape Cod Pitcher of the Year last summer.

Playing the Best: FGCU faces a tough slate this year.  The Eagles will face 12^th-ranked Miami, 16^th ranked Clemson, 9^th-ranked Florida, and 27^th-ranked Wichita State all on the road in 2010.

Jacksonville

2009 Season: (37-22, 19-11)

Nickname: Dolphins

Head Coach: Terry Alexander

Location: Jacksonville, FL

Vitals: .301 BA, 62 HR, .400 OBP, .952 Fld. %…5.18 ERA, 2 CG, 13 SVs, 451 K, 184 BB, .288 Opp. BA

Pitching Strength: Jacksonville won its 5^th A-Sun conference championship last year and should contend again behind a strong pitching staff this season.  Two JU pitchers are on the preseason All-A-Sun team led by Jr. RHP Matt Loosen (4-1, 4.16 ERA, 91 K) and Jr. RHP Chris Kaminski (5-1, 2.70 ERA, 8 SVs).

Offensive Leaders: The Dolphins lose top hitter Jeremy Gillan (.400, 11 HR, 62 RBI), but bring back plenty of speed and power with 1^st team preseason All-A-Sun player Sr. Chuck Opachich (.377, 42 RBI, 19 SB) and Sr. OF Alex Martinez (.306, 12 HR, 53 RBI).

Kennesaw State

2009 Season: (30-22, 20-9)

Nickname: Owls

Head Coach: Mike Sansing

Location: Kennesaw, GA

Vitals: .307 BA, 65 HR, .391 OBP, .963 Fld. %…5.08 ERA, 7 CG, 8 SVs, 475 K, 199 BB, .281 Opp. BA

Stepping Up: KSU loses 13 players overall, including 6 regular starters off their 2^nd place team last year.  The top five hitters are all gone, but two preseason All-Atlantic Sun performers do return in Sr. SS Tyler Stubblefield (.300, 7 HR, 27 RBI) and Jr. OF Josh Whitaker (.379, 4 HR, 25 RBI in 22 GP)

Owl Arms: The biggest concern for KSU has to be the pitching staff where 6 pitchers are gone from the 2009 team including A-Sun Pitcher of the Year Chad Jenkins (8-1, 2.54 ERA, 98 K, 5 CG).  The top returning pitcher is Jr. RHP Ryan Rodebaugh (1-1, 4.10 ERA, 2 SVs).

Lipscomb

2009 Season: (24-32, 17-13)

Nickname: Bison

Head Coach: Jeff Forehand

Location: Nashville, TN

Vitals: .280 BA, 42 HR, .356 OBP, .949 Fld. %…6.19 ERA, 6 CG, 9 SVs, 442 K, 258 BB, .279 Opp. BA

Strong Down the Stretch: Lipscomb finished 8 games below .500 overall, but still finished with a winning conference record, reaching the tournament championship game before falling to Jacksonville 7-4.

Ace in the Hole: While the Bison lose staff ace and first round MLB draft pick Rex Brothers (5-5, 3.26 ERA, 4 CG, 132 K), they do bring back Sr. RHP Josh Smith (7-4, 3.86 ERA, 101 K).

Offensive Production: Lipscomb will look to improve the offense this year behind CF Tyler Wilson (.320, 65 H, 25 SB), 1B Ryan Wilkins (.290, 5 doubles, 21 RBI).  Several newcomers expect to fill out the lineup as well with Jr. Cory Hale (.304, 14 HR, 41 RBI), a transfer from Columbia State CC, and Jr. Zach Messer (.378, 14 HR, 56 RBI) from Walters State CC who both figure to start.

Mercer

2009 Season: (23-23, 12-15)

Nickname: Bears

Head Coach: Craig Gibson

Location: Macon, GA

Vitals: .302 BA, 60 HR, .370 OBP, .965 Fld. %…6.39 ERA, 2 CG, 7 SVs, 346 K, 183 BB, .302 Opp. BA

Big Offense: Mercer loses top hitter Steven Karwatt (.374, 10 HR, 43 RBI), but do return the five other guys who hit over .300, including Sr. INF Michael Langley (.358, 7 HR, 27 RBI) and So. INF Jacob Tanis (.340, 11 HR, 35 RBI), who was named a Freshman All-American by Louisville Slugger.  Pitching wise Jr. RHP closer J.T. Odom (5-5, 3.88 ERA, 3 SVs) returns as does Sr. RHP Lath Guyer (2-4, 5.55 ERA, 76 K).

Home in Dixie: Mercer hosts 18 of their first 21 games with only trips to Tallahassee to play Florida A&M and Atlanta to face Georgia State the only road trips.  Mercer will not play north of Nashville, TN all season long while playing games in only four states (Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and South Carolina).

North Florida

2009 Season: (23-31, 15-15)

Nickname: Ospreys

Head Coach: Dusty Rhodes

Location: Jacksonville, FL

Vitals: .295 BA, 59 HR, .377 OBP, .948 Fld. %…5.78 ERA, 6 CG, 9 SVs, 381 K, 183 BB, .296 Opp. BA

The American Dream: Dusty Rhodes announced that this will be his final season at the helom of North Florida.  Rhodes started the program in 1988 and has built the team from scratch.  He should win his 900^th game at UNF this season, playing on the newly named Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium.

Foundation: North Florida’s lineup will center around Sr. OF Preston Hale (.371, 10 HR, 43 RBI) who led the Ospreys in batting average, slugging percentage, runs, hits, HR, and RBI.  Hale was a 2^nd-team All-conference performer in 2009 and enters 2010 a unanimous selection to the preseason All-Atlantic Sun team.

Stetson

2009 Season: (27-30, 16-14)

Nickname: Hatters

Head Coach: Pete Dunn

Location: DeLand, FL

Vitals: .314 BA, 60 HR, .395 OBP, .951 Fld. %…5.85 ERA, 1 CG, 9 SVs, 383 K, 223 BB, .305 Opp. BA

Poised for a Run: Stetson returns 19 letterwinners and 7 starters from last season’s 5^th place team.  Leading the offense will be Sr. DH Aaron Crittenden (.339, 13 HR, 66 RB) and So. 3B Mark Jones (.363, 82 H, .518 Slg. %).   Crittenden is a preseason All-conference pick this season, while Jones earned Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American honors last season.

Pitching Rotation: The Hatters will have a much different weekend rotation this season with So. RHP Lindsey Caughel (4-3, 6.30 ERA, 41 K) the only returner.  The other spots will be filled with two pitchers that missed last season with injuries.  R-Jr. RHP Justin Dechert (5.51 ERA, SV) and R-So. RHP Will Dorsey (2-1, 3.72 ERA, SV) will fill out the rotation.

USC Upstate

2009 Season: (17-37, 7-23)

Nickname: Spartans

Head Coach: Matt Fincher

Location: Spartanburg, SC

Vitals: .283 BA, 18 HR, .358 OBP, .964 Fld. %…7.81 ERA, 1 CG, 7 SVs, 345 K, 296 BB, .322 Opp. BA

Marching On: USC-Upstate enters its third season in Division I, still making the transition to the higher level.  After winning 17 conference games in 2008, they fell off to just 7 wins in 2009 finishing in last place.  This season they look for improvement behind 17 returning lettermen including 7 pitchers.

Key Returners: Jr. RHP Matt Branham (2-5, 4.39 ERA, 82 K) is back to lead the pitching staff, while Sr. 1B/C Jimmy Tanner (.354, 15 doubles, 34 RBI) the top hitter for the Spartans last year will once again power the lineup.

Silver Spartans: This year marks the 25^th season for baseball at the school.

2010 Atlantic Sun Predicitons

2010 Champion: Florida Gulf Coast

2010 Player of the Year: Preston Hale—North Florida

2010 Pitcher of the Year: Chris Sale—Florida Gulf Coast

Southland Conference Baseball 2010 Preview

Competitive Southland Looks For Another Mult-Bid Season

2009 Regular Season Champion: Texas State

2009 Tournament Champion: Sam Houston State defeated Texas State 7-1 to win its 3^rd straight Southland Conference Tournament Championship.

Two Southland Conference teams qualified for the NCAA tournament last season as both tournament champ Sam Houston State and regular season champ Texas State made the field.  It marked the sixth time in conference history that multiple teams earned bids to the NCAA tournament, and the first since 2005.

With 21 conference players selected in last June’s MLB draft, the Southland Conference may be a “mid-major”, but can boast of a rich baseball heritage.

This season, Texas State and Sam Houston State are favored to finish 1-2 in the standings, but several other teams are looking for banner seasons themselves.  Will it be a repeat of 2009, or will another team breakthrough?

Central Arkansas

2009 Season: (22-30, 10-21)

Nickname: Bears

Head Coach: Doug Clark

Location: Conway, AR

Vitals: .309 BA, 51 HR, .360 OBP, .962 Fld. %…5.58 ERA, 8 CG, 10 SVs, 337 K, 214 BB, .290 Opp. BA

Strong Hitters: Central Arkansas was a strong hitting team last year and return 3 of their top 4 hitters this season.  The offense will be led by Sr. OF Tye Throneberry (.374, 4 HR, 34 RBI), So. 2B/OF Jordan Getchell (.333, .467 OBP, 6 SB), and Sr. INF Bobby Pritchett (.327, 5 triples, 2 HR).

Pitching Staff: In addition to being one of the top hitters, RHP Bobby Pritchett (4-5, 4.85 ERA, 1 CG, 5 SVs) is the top relief pitcher returning.  While the starting rotation will be hurt with the loss of Jeremy Cloud (4-6, 5.92 ERA, 5 CG), the Bears return Jr. RHP Reece Cross (4-4, 4.48 ERA, 2 CG).

Lamar

2009 Season: (38-22, 20-13)

Nickname: Cardinals

Head Coach: Jim Gilligan

Location: Beaumont, TX

Vitals: .304 BA, 52 HR, .403 OBP, .969 Fld. %…4.44 ERA, 2 CG, 9 SVs, 466 K, 209 BB, .277 Opp. BA

Another Strong Season: Lamar’s 38 wins last year marked the ninth consecutive year the Cardinals won over 30 games, and were the most since they won 41 games in 2004.  Also, for the eighth time in school history s member of the team was named a Freshman All-American.  RHP Eric Harrington (8-1, 3.01 ERA, 63 K) earned honors from both Louisville Slugger and the NCBWA on his way to being named Southland Conference Freshman of the Year.

Newcomers: Lamar brings in 22 new players on this year’s roster, while only returning 18.  The first-year players include 8 freshman, and 14 junior college transfers.  The young team will be led by Sr. OF Quentin Luquette (.316, 4 HR, 33 RBI).

Fleet Feet: The Cardinals stole 92 bases as a team last season, but return players that stole only 33 of that total.  Gone are burners Tyler Link (.369, 15 SB), and Jeremiah Sammy (.310, 14 SB).

McNeese State

2009 Season: (21-30, 10-22)

Nickname: Cowboys

Head Coach: Terry Burrows

Location: Lake Charles, LA

Vitals: .316 BA, 60 HR, .410 OBP, .965 Fld. %…7.60 ERA, 1 CG, 8 SVs, 319 K, 212 BB, .318 Opp. BA

Looking Forward: McNeese State struggled at times last year, winning only 10 league games, but with 21 returning letterwinners, including 10 seniors, the Cowboys believe they could show a marked improvement this season.

Offensive Attack: The Cowboys were a good hitting team in 2009, and bring back several top hitters led by preseason 2^nd team All-Southland Conference selection So. OF Lee Orr (.301, 15 HR, 57 RBI).  Also back is two-sport star and leading hitter So. INF Jace Peterson (.366, 3 doubles, 13 SB), and Sr. INF Matt Fontenot (.343, 7 doubles, 3 HR).

Two-Sport Cowboy:  Peterson is also a safety on the McNeese State football team.   He had 39 tackles, three sacks and an interception during the 2009 football season.  He is one of more than 35 two-sport college baseball players who have been in our Two-Sport Reports throughout the fall.

Big Games: McNeese takes on CWS participant Arkansas and defending national champion LSU in the non-conference slate.  They also travel to Louisiana Tech, and play Dallas Baptist at the Lamar Tournament

Nicholls State

2009 Season: (19-32, 9-23)

Nickname: Colonels

Head Coach: Chip Durham

Location: Thibodaux, La.

Vitals: .271 BA, 11 HR, .350 OBP, .952 Fld. %…4.97 ERA, 1 CG, 8 SVs, 288 K, 171 BB, .292 Opp. BA

Uphill Battle: Nicholls State is picked to finish last in the Southland Conference by both the coaches and SIDs.  They finished just a half game ahead of A&M-Corpus Christi in the standings in 2009.  Their top returning player Sr. OF Scott Moseley (.346, 12 doubles, 37 RBI) is a preseason 2^nd team All-SLC pick, but is coming back from offseason hip labrum surgery.

More Two-Sport Guys:  Senior Kyle Hughes plays linebacker for the Colonels football team, while freshman OF Mike Barba is also a wide receiver at Nicholls State.  Hughes had 39 tackles with an interception in 2009.  This is Hughes’ first season on the baseball team.  He is listed on the roster as a right-hand pitcher.

Minimum Travel: The Colonels will keep the miles off their schedule this year playing in only four states all season.  36 of their 52 games will be played in Louisiana, 12 in Texas, 3 in Arkansas, and 1 game in Alabama.

Northwestern State

2009 Season: (26-26, 18-13)

Nickname: Demons

Head Coach: J.P. Davis

Location: Natchitoches, LA

Vitals: .308 BA, 53 HR, .383 OBP, .958 Fld. %…6.98 ERA, 2 CG, 14 SVs, 342 K, 220 BB, .316 Opp. BA

Preseason Hype: Northwestern State is only predicted to finish 7^th in the conference this season, however, they bring back several top players that could form a great foundation for success this year.  Leading the charge is preseason 1^st team All-conference Sr. SS Trent Grondin (.324, 60 H, 11 doubles), 2^nd team All-SLC Sr. 3B Chase Lyles (.362, 14 HR, 17 SB), and 2^nd teamer So. P Chad Sheppard (4-1, 2.34 ERA, 10 SVs).  Sheppard is also a preseason All-Ping! Preseason All-American, and needs just 7 saves to become the school’s all-time saves leader.

Tough Tests: The Demons will have several tough non-conference games this year, starting with a season-opening trip to 2009 CWS participant Southern Mississippi.  Other contests include home-and-home games with national champ LSU, and trips to Texas A&M and Mississippi State.

Sam Houston State

2009 Season: (36-24, 18-14)

Nickname: Bearkats

Head Coach: Mark Johnson

Location: Huntsville, TX

Vitals: .328 BA, 48 HR, .402 OBP, .971 Fld. %…5.10 ERA, 6 CG, 12 SVs, 470 K, 213 BB, .300 Opp. BA

Johnson’s Dominance: Mark Johnson wrapped up his third season at Sam Houston State with his 3^rd Southland Tournament Title as the Bearkats defeated Texas State 7-1.  It was the 8^th SLC tournament title in school history and it earned them their 6^th NCAA tournament trip.  Johnson enters the 2010 season 11 victories shy of 1000 career wins.

Mound Strength: The Kats return only 11 of 24 letterwinners from last season, but do return 3 starting pitchers and their top reliever.  The staff is led by Jr. RHP Matt Shelton (7-0, 1.99 ERA, 2 SVs), Jr. LHP Brent Powers (3-2, 4.77 ERA, 61 K), and Jr. RHP Justin Jackson (3-0, 5.75 ERA, 21 APP).

Fresh Faces: In addition to 11 freshman joining the roster in 2010, several talented transfers from top baseball programs will also be eligible this season.  Those coming to SHSU include C. John Hale (Rice), OF Jared Wondra (Louisville), P/OF Michael Heard (Texas A&M) and 1B Taylor Davis (LSU).

Southeastern Louisiana

2009 Season: (37-22, 21-12)

Nickname: Lions

Head Coach: Jay Artiques

Location: Hammond, LA

Vitals: .305 BA, 32 HR, .389 OBP, .964 Fld %…5.66 ERA, 2 CG, 18 SVs, 401 K, 244 BB, .282 Opp. BA

Looking for More: Southeastern Louisiana won a school record 21 conference games last year to finish in 2^nd place during the regular season.  This season, they look to capture the SLC crown and will do so behind three preseason 2^nd team All-SLC picks.  Heading the group is Jr. OF Cass Hargis, a 2008 Freshman All-American, who hit .317 with 4 HR and 32 RBI, Jr. INF/OF Josh Cryer (.309, 71 H, 4 HR), and Sr. RHP Chris Franklin (5-2, 2.60 ERA, 12 SVs).  Franklin is also a 2^nd team preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Association and is on the Stopper of the Year watch list.

Quick Start: The Lions play 12 of their first 16 games at home beginning on February 19^th with 3 games against Eastern Illinois and a single game with Mississippi Valley State.  They then head to Starkville for a 3-game set at Mississippi State before coming back home for 5 in a row.

Stephen F. Austin

2009 Season: (23-32, 14-18)

Nickname: Lumberjacks

Head Coach: Johnny Cardenas

Location: Nacogdoches, TX

Vitals: .302 BA, 41 HR, .368 OBP, .961 Fld. %…5.56 ERA, 1 CG, 13 SVs, 346 K, 246 BB, .286 Opp. BA

2010 Outlook: Stephen F. Austin finished 8^th in the conference last year and this season return just 12 letterwinners.  Among the guys returning are Sr. UTL Ryan Priest (.370, 4 HR, 26 RBI), Sr. SS Tanner Hines (.353, 78 H, 17 SB), and Jr. RHP Jared West (4-3, 5.11 ERA, 36 K).

Schedule Notes: The Jacks play more road games than home games this year, but do begin with a three game series in Nacogdoches against Grambling State.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

2009 Season: (18-38, 9-24)

Nickname: Islanders

Head Coach: Scott Malone

Location: Corpus Christi, TX

Vitals: .281 BA, 48 HR, .355 OBP, .959 Fld. %…7.71 ERA, 7 SVs, 282 K, 210 BB, .346 Opp. BA

Flipping it Around: The Islanders finished last in the conference last year and are picked to finish 11^th this season.  They will try to turn things around this year behind preseason 1^st team All-SLC selection Trey Hernandez.  Hernandez hit just .236 in 2009, but crushed a team best 12 HR.  He also performed on the mound going 2-3 with a team-high 4 saves.

Tough Schedule: A&M-CC will face 7 teams ranked in the NCBWA Top 35.  Among the ranked teams on the schedule is top-ranked Texas.  Other opponents are Rice, Houston, Oklahoma, UCLA, Elon, and Mississippi State.

Texas State

2009 Season: (41-17, 24-7)

Nickname: Bobcats

Head Coach: Ty Harrington

Location: San Marcos, TX

Vitals: .334 BA, 75 HR, .419 OBP, .970 Fld. %…4.85 ERA, 3 CG, 10 SVs, 358 K, 181 BB, .303 Opp. BA

Banner Year: Texas State captured their first ever regular season Southland Conference championship last season finishing 4 games up on Southeastern Louisiana.  Ty Harrington was named SLC Coach of the Year, and 7 players were selected to All-Conference teams.

Tyler Sibley

Bobcat Repeat: The Bobcats are predicted to win the conference once again as voted on by both the coaches and SIDs.  In addition 4 players were tabbed for preseason conference honors with So. INF Tyler Sibley (.359, 10 HR, 14 SB) and Jr. OF Bret Atwood (.368, 86 H, 14 SB) first team selection, while Sr. INF Kyle Livingstone (.314, 5 HR, 34 RBI) and Jr. INF Jason Martinson (.303, 7 HR, 39 RBI) were named to the second team.

Pitching Prowess: Texas State will have to replace SLC Pitcher of the Year Kane Holbrooks (10-1, 3.29 ERA, 57), but do bring back Jr. RHP Brian Borski (7-3, 3.71 ERA, 1 CG), and Sr. RHP Michael Russo (4-3, 4.35 ERA, 6 SVs).

UT-Arlington

2009 Season: (30-26, 19-13)

Nickname: Mavericks

Head Coach: Darin Thomas

Location: Arlington, TX

Vitals: .306 BA, 39 HR, .375 OBP, .971 Fld. %…4.38 ERA, 4 CG, 12 SVs, 410 K, 183 BB, .292 Opp. BA

Michael Choice

Star Player: Jr. CF Michael Choice enters 2010 as one of the most decorated players in the conference.  A member of the 2009 USA Baseball Team, Choice is a preseason 2^nd team All-American from PING! and Louisville Slugger, and a 3^rd team All-American from the NCBWA.  In addition, College Baseball Blog rates Choice as the 13^th overall player on their Projected Top 100 player list.  Choice is school’s all-time career batting leader with a .396 average.  Last season, he batted .413 with 11 HR, and 52 RBI is helping UTA win 30 games.

Pitching Depth Problems: The Mavericks staff led the league with a 4.38 ERA, but only four pitchers return that threw at least 10 innings last season.  The team will rely heavily on Jr. RHP Rett Varner (2-3, 3.95 ERA, 44 K), a 1^st team preseason All-SLC pick, and Sr. RHP Jason Mitchell (4-5, 4.63 ERA, 42 K) as starters, with Jr. LHP Adam Boydston (1-5, 3.29 ERA, 9 SVs) coming out of the bullpen.

UT-San Antonio

2009 Season: (32-25, 20-12)

Nickname: Roadrunners

Head Coach: Sherman Corbett

Location: San Antonio, TX

Vitals: .317 BA, 89 HR, .398 OBP, .956 Fld. %…5.97 ERA, 2 CG, 7 SVs, 393 K, 241 BB, .307 Opp. BA

Offensive Explosion: UTSA broke several offensive records last year on their way to a 3^rd place finish in the SLC.  Records that were broken were team BA (.317), hits (661), homeruns (86), slugging (.532), and total bases (1109).  Leading the way were Michael Rockett (.394, 15 HR, 58 RBI) and Lance Brown (.372, 84 H, 17 doubles).

Key Returners: The Roadrunners will deal with the loss of Rockett and slugger Jose Hernandez, who crushed 17 HR last year, but bring back plenty of offense with Brown and Jr. Ryan Hutson (.343, 17 HR, 43 RBI), and Jr. DH Brett Aguilar (.304, 11 doubles, 29 RBI) returning.  Brown and Aguilar were named to the SLC preseason 1^st-team, with Hutson tabbed for the second team.

2010 Predictions

2010 Champion: Texas State just beats out SE Louisiana

2010 Player of the Year: Michael Choice—UT-Arlington

2010 Pitcher of the Year: Eric Harrington—Lamar

SEC Baseball 2010 Preview – Western Division

National Champ LSU And Arkansas Look For CWS Returns

2009 Eastern Division Champion:  Florida

2009 Western Division Champion:  LSU & Ole Miss Tied with 20-10 records

2009 SEC Tournament Champion:  LSU

Banner Year:  Teams outside the SEC often complain the conference gets too much respect when it comes to NCAA Tournament bids, but the SEC lived-up to its lofty status last year.  Eight SEC teams received NCAA bids in 2009, with half of them, LSU, Ole Miss, Florida, and Arkansas, advancing to at least a Super Regional.  Arkansas and LSU both made it to Omaha, while the Tigers winning the 2009 National Championship.

Big Crowds:  The SEC drew a record of nearly 1.9 million fans to its on-campus ballparks in 2009, the fourth year in a row to draw over 1.6 million. Seven SEC teams drew in excess of 100,000 fans to their parks in 2009. The SEC averaged a record 4,689 fans per game in 2009, the third straight year to exceed the 4,000 mark.

2010 SEC Western Division Preview

Alabama

2009 Record:  (37-21, 18-11)

Mascot:  Crimson Tide

Head Coach: Mitch Gaspard

Location:  Tuscaloosa, AL

Vitals:  .330 BA, 107 HR, 60 SB, .415 OBP, .971 Fld%…5.13 ERA, 4 CG, 11 SV, 487 K, 182 BB, .277 opp. BA

New Head Coach:  Mitch Gaspard took the reigns of the Alabama program after long time skipper Jim Wells

retired last summer.  Gaspard served two stints as an assistant to Wells, including the last two seasons as Alabama’s recruiting coordinator.  He was the head coach at Northwestern State from 2002-2007.  Prior to that he helped Wells take Alabama to the College World Series three times as a Crimson Tide assistant.

Solid Returns:  Preseason All-American 2B Ross Wilson (.353, 9 HR, 57 RBIs) is one of four returning players who started at least 49 games last year.  Senior Jake Smith (.359, 18 HR, 54 RBIs), Freshman All-American Taylor Dugas (.352, 13 SB) and Josh Rutledge (.305) are back as well, as is Clay Jones (.331, 7 HR, 39 RBIs), who started just 35 games last year.  The biggest loss to the line-up is OF Kent Matthes (.358, 28 HR, 81 RBIs), who tied for the NCAA home run lead.

Pitching Questions:  Alabama loses starters Austin Hyatt (8-3, 3.76 ERA) and Del Howell (5-3, 6.33 ERA).  Those two combined to make 26 starts & tossed three of the staff’s four complete games.  With nine starts last year soph. LHP Adam Morgan (4-2, 4.17 ERA) is the team’s most experience returning starter.  Redshirt soph. reliever Tyler White (1-0, 2.28 ERA, 2 SV) and Jr. Nathan Kilcrease (4-4, 4.11 ERA, 2 SV) are among the top returning relievers.

Arkansas

2009 Record:  (41-24, 14-15)

Mascot:  Razorbacks

Head Coach:  Dave Van Horn

Location:  Fayetteville, AR

Vitals:  .273 BA, 80 HR, 67 SB, .368 OBP, .968 Fld%…4.67 ERA, 1 CG, 16 SV, 511 K, 245 BB, .267 opp. BA

All-American Trio:  Juniors Brett Eibner (.231, 12 HR, 54 RBIs) & Andy Wilkins (.319, 19 HR, 58 RBIs) and sophomore Zach Cox (.266, 13 HR, 39 RBIs) have all received preseason All-American recognition.  Arkansas, LSU and Texas are the only three schools in the country to have three players receive All-American recognition.  Cox was a Freshman All-American last year as well.

Two-Way Duo:  Eibner and Cox are pitchers as well.  Eibner (5-5, 5.00 ERA) tied a team-high with 17 starts last year with the staff’s only complete game.  Cox (5-1, 4.82 ERA, SV) mad all 14 of his appearances out of the bullpen.

Plenty More Pitching:  Senior Mike Bolsinger (6-4, 2.99 ERA, 2SV) is among the top returning pitchers to the Razorback staff.  He picked-up the only save at last year’s College World Series.  Drew Smyly (3-1, 4.66 ERA, 14 starts).  Dallas Keuchel (9-3, 3.92 ERA) and Stephen Richards (6-2, 2.19 ERA, 9 SV) are the biggest staff losses

Auburn

2009 Record:  (31-25, 11-19)

Mascot:  Tigers

Head Coach:  John Pawlowski

Location:  Auburn, AL

Vitals:  .286 BA, 103 HR, 40 SB, .381 OBP, .969 Fld%…6.12 ERA, 0 CG, 12 SV, 411 K, 228 BB, .321 opp. BA

Notable Drought:  Since going to the NCAA Tournament five times from 2000-2005 Auburn has missed the tourney the last four years.

Mound Presence:  Junior LHP Grant Dayton (2-6, 5.92 ERA) and soph. Jon Luke Jacobs (3-4, 5.74 ERA) are back to lead the weekend rotation.  They are expected to be joined by 6′7 lefty Cole Nelson, a junior college transfer who was drafted in the 48th round by Tampa Bay last year.  Austin Hubbard (3-3, 4.20 ERA, 12 SV) and Bradley Hendrix (7-3, 5.09 ERA) are back to lead the bullpen.  Hendrix’s 7 wins led the staff as did his 24 relief appearances.  Another juco transfer, Stephen Kohlscheen, helped lead Cowley College to last year’s Junior College World Series.

A Lot In The Line-Up:  Auburn returns seven of its top nine hitters from 2009.  Justin Hargett led the Tigers in average (.330) and on-base percentage (.426).  He’s joined by Brian Fletcher (.301, 17 HR, 54 RBIs), Casey McElroy (.286, 7 HR), Hunter Morris (.282, 12 HR), and Tony Caldwell (.281, 9 HR).

No Mummey…For Now:  Auburn recently announced that centerfielder Trent Mummey (.289, 15 HR) will miss at least a month with a severely sprained right ankle.  Mummey had 17 of Auburn’s 40 stolen bases last year.  He was also named to the SEC All-Defensive Team.   Junior college transfer Justin Fradejas will fill-in until he returns.

Desert Challenge:  The Tigers go to Tempe, AZ for a 3-game series with Arizona State March 12-14.

LSU

2009 Record:  (56-17, 20-10)

Mascot:  Tigers

Head Coach:  Paul Mainieri

Location:  Baton Rouge, LA

Vitals:  .315 BA, 107 HR, 114 SB, .405 OBP, .974 Fld%…4.02 ERA, 679 K, 186 BB, .257 opp. BA

LSU Line-Up Losses:  The Tigers lose four of their top five batters from last year’s National Championship team.  D.J. LeMahieu (.350, 12 SB), Ryan Schimpf (.336, 22 HR, 70 RBIs, 18 SB), Sean Ochinko (.333, 9 HR), and Jared Mitchell (.327, 11 HR, 36 SB) are all gone.

Top Bats Back:  LSU still returns the like of Sr. Blake Dean (.328, 17 HR, 71 RBIs), Tyler Hanover (.321), SEC Tournament MVP Mikie Mahtook (.316, 7 HR), Leon Landry (.300, 12 HR), and slick fielding Austin Nola, who didn’t join the starting line-up until LSU’s 40th game of the season last year.  He did not commit an error at shortstop in 24 chances at the College World Series.

On The Hill:  While they lose top overall pitcher Louis Coleman (14-2, 2.93 ERA, 142 K), the Tigers return several top notch pitchers to carry the load.  The group is led by junior Anthony Ranaudo (12-3, 3.04, 159 K).  He’s joined by Austin Ross (6-8, 5.18 ERA), soph.closer Matty Ott (4-2, 2.68 ERA, 16 SV), Daniel Bradshaw (4-0, 3.04 ERA), Paul Bertuccini (2-0, 3.86 ERA, 3 SV), and Chris Matulis (6-2, 4.82 ERA).

On The Bayou:  LSU plays its first 21 games of the season in Louisiana.  The only road game is at Northwestern State in Natchitoches.

Mississippi

2009 Record:  (44-20-, 20-10)

Mascot:  Rebels

Head Coach:  Mike Bianco

Location:  Oxford, MS

Vitals:  .310 BA, 56 HR, 92 SB, .398 OBP, .970 Fld%…4.06 ERA, 4 CG, 17 SV, 623 K, 189 BB, .271 opp. BA

Dealing With Draft Losses:  After setting a school record with 20 wins in SEC play Ole Miss had 11 players drafted last year, including five underclassmen who signed pro contracts.  Jordan Henry (.343, 38 SB), Logan Power (.311, 7 HR, 20 doubles) and Kyle Henson (.338, 8 HR) are the top losses in the line-up.   Scott Bittle (5-2, 2.17 ERA), Phillip Irwin (8-3, 3.84 ERA), Brett Bukvich (9-3, 4.42 ERA), and Nathan Baker (4-3, 3.63 ERA) are all gone from the pitching staff.

Bats That Are Back:  The good news for the Rebles is three players shared the team lead with 8 home runs, and two of those players, Matt Smith (.336, 8 HR, 59 RBIs) and Matt Snyder (.298, 8 HR, 31 RBIs) are back this year.  Smith was the team RBI leader.  Snyder and his twin brother, Mike, are expected to share the corner infield spots.  Tim Ferguson (.358, 18 SB) and Zac Miller (.341) are among other top returnees to the line-up.

Mound Returnees:  Junior LHP Drew Pomeranz (8-4, 3.40 ERA) will lead the weekend rotation.  Closer Jake Morgan (4-1, 3.46 ERA, 9 saves) suffered an injury in the off-season, so David Goforth (1-1, 2.80 ERA, 3 SV) is expected to move into that role.   Senior Rory McKean (5-1, 4.53 ERA) is among a handful of other experience relievers who return.

Welcome Back?:  The Rebels will host a 3-game series with reigning Big East Champion Louisville March 12-14.  The Cardinals are coached by former Ole Miss assistant Dan McDonnell and have been to Super Regionals in two of the last three seasons.

Mississippi State

2009 Record:  (25-29, 9-20)

Mascot:  Bulldogs

Head Coach:  John Cohen

Location:  Starkville, MS

Vitals:  .298 BA, 61 HR, 72 SB, .398 OBP, .968 Fld%…6.57 ERA, 5 CG, 12 SV, 365 K, 246 BB, .304 opp. BA

Dogs Absent:  Since making NCAA Tournament appearances from 2003-2007, including the ‘07 CWS, Mississippi State has missed the last two NCAA Tourneys.  In fact, the Bulldogs have not been to the SEC tournament for the last two years either.

Big Dogs Back:  1B Connor Powers (.301, 19 HR, 63 RBIs) and DH Ryan Duffy (.339, 10 HR, 33 RBIs) were MSU’s top home runs hitters last year, and they’re both back to lead the offense.  Jet Butler (.335) and Russ Sneed (.333, 9 HR, 43 RBIs) return as well.  Leading hitter Scott DeLoach (.353) and Grant Hogue (.315, 29 SB) are the biggest offensive losses.

Hard Working Dogs:   Nick Routt (5-3, 4.15 ERA, 4 CG) and Tyler Whitney (3-4, 5.18 ERA, CG), who accounted for 24 of the staff’s 54 starts and all five complete games last year, are both back.   The Bulldogs lose saves leader Chad Crosswhite (6 SV, 7.38 ERA).  Routt is expected to lead the rotation, while Whitney could move to the closer role.  Lefty junior college transfer Trey Johnson and freshman Chris Stratton could factor in the weekend rotation.  Johnson hit 19 HR as a two-way player last year at Blinn (TX) CC.

Special Delivery:  For the second straight year Mississippi State players hand delivered tickets in neighborhoods throughout Starkville to local fans who ordered 2010 season tickets.  Head coach John Cohen started the program when he was the head coach at Kentucky.

2010 SEC Western Division Predictions

Top Western Division Player:  Andy Wilkins – Arkansas

Top Western Division Pitcher:  Anthony Ranaudo – LSU

Western Division Champion:  LSU

CLICK HERE to see the Eastern Division Preview & Predictions

2010 SEC Baseball Overall Predictions

SEC Player of the Year:  Preston Tucker – Florida

SEC Pitcher of the Year:  Anthony Ranaudo – LSU

Overall SEC Champion:  South Carolina

Missouri Valley Conference Baseball 2010 Preview

Can Wichita State Continue Its Dominance?

2009 Regular Season Champion: Missouri State

2009 Tournament Champion: Wichita State defeated Creighton 4-2 to win its second straight and 17^th overall conference championship.

9 Becomes 8: Northern Iowa eliminated itsbaseball program after last season to cut costs, trimming the league to eight teams this season.  Head Coach Rick Heller landed on his feet as he is now in his first season as head coach of Indiana State

Wichita State finished 3^rd in the conference during the regular season but was able to put it together and capture a league-leading 17^th tournament title to earn the 8^th straight trip to the NCAA tournament.  With the Shockers returning its top 3 starters and 19 letter winners overall, they should be the team to beat once again.

2010 MVC Preview

Bradley

2009 Season: (17-31, 4-17)

Nickname: Braves

Head Coach: Elvis Dominguez

Location: Peoria, IL

Vitals: .259 BA, 21 HR, .355 OBp, .960 Fld. %…5.51 ERA, 1 CG, 6 SVs, 327 K, 214 BB, .281 Opp. BA

The Future is Bright: Bradley’s incoming 16-man recruiting class is ranked #48 according to Collegiate Baseball. It’s the first time Bradley has cracked the top 50, and only Wichita State is ranked higher (#19) among the other Missouri Valley teams.

Strong Foundation: Jr. catcher Kevin Sullivan is the only Brave to be named to the preseason All-MVC team.  Last season, Sullivan hit .277 with 7 doubles and 15 RBI in 34 games.  Also back this season is So. LHP Joe Bircher (4-2, 3.39 ERA, 50 K) who will lead the staff.

Schedule Notes: The Braves play their first 20 games on the road, including match-ups with Illinois, Pittsburgh, Memphis, Notre Dame, Gonzaga, and Indiana.  The first home game is March 31^st when they host Northern Illinois.  Bradley also will host an exhibition game against the local minor league Peoria Chiefs on April 7^th.

Creighton

2009 Season: (31-25, 14-9)

Nickname: Bluejays

Head Coach: Ed Servais

Location: Omaha, NE

Vitals: .299 BA, 37 HR, .391 OBP, .984 Fld. %…4.05 ERA, 4 CG, 9 SVs, 338 K, 164 BB, .267 Opp. BA

Bluejay Revival: Creighton is picked to finish 3^rd in the MVC by the coaches this year, with one first place vote, a year after just missing out on the NCAA tournament with a loss in the MVC tournament championship game.  Three Jays are on the preseason All-conference team with Jr. SS Elliot Soto (.322, 77 H, 13 SB), Sr. OF Robbie Knight (.344, 18 doubles, 41 RBI) and Sr. RHP Bobby Lackovic (6-1, 3.55 ERA, SV) all earning the honors.

Moving Homes: This season is the last for Rosenblatt Stadium, home of the College World Series.  Creighton will split games between Rosenblatt and its on campus facility.  Beginning next year, the Jays will play some of their home games at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha before moving there full-time in 2012.

Evansville

2009 Season: (25-30, 7-17)

Nickname: Purple Aces

Head Coach: Wes Carroll

Location: Evansville, IN

Vitals: .269 BA, 29 HR, .352 OBP, .967 Fld. %…5.44 ERA, 4 CG, 12 SVs, 373 K, 183 BB, .295 Opp. BA

Plenty of Offense Back: Evansville returns 6 starters and should have a much better offense.  Leading the offense is 2^nd team All-MVC players Sr. DH Andy Pascoe (.331, 9 doubles, 21 RBI) and Jr. 3B Cody Fick (.307, 9 HR, 46 RBI).

Staff Aces: Leading the pitching staff is Sr. closer Tom Heithoff (4-3, 2.87 ERA, 8 SVs) as well three different returnees, LHP Seth McCabe, LHP Sean McCarthy and RHP Matt Netherton, who missed 2009 due to Tommy John surgery.

Tough Contests: The Purple Aces travel to Lexington to play Kentucky, play and home-and-home series with Louisville, and host Dallas Baptist all this season.

Illinois State

2009 Season: (25-23, 11-11)

Nickname: Redbirds

Head Coach: Mark Kingston

Location: Normal, IL

Vitals: .281 BA, 32 HR, .372 OBP, .964 Fld. %…5.47 ERA, 8 CG, 7 SVs, 313 K, 175 BB, .275 Opp. BA

Pitching Strength: Illinois State brings back several top-notch pitchers from last year.  Returning are Sr. LHP Ryan Copeland (4-5, 3.63 ERA, 6 CG), Jr. RHP Corey Maines (6-5, 4.26 ERA, 69 K), So. RHP Ryan Camp (6-3, 4.73 ERA, .251 Opp. BA), and Sr. RHP Jim Sajewich (4-2, 4.36 ERA, 4 SVs).

Top Hitters: Illinois State loses top hitter Mike Stalowy, but do return Sr. INF Ryan Court (.323, 5 HR, 41 RBI), Sr. OF Anthony Ruffalo (.315, 4 HR, .401 OBP), and Sr. 1B Evan Kohli (.308, 13 doubles, .431 OBP).  Also back is Corey Maines, who only hit .202, but did have 5 HR in 21 total hits.

New Era: Mark Kingston enters his first season as head baseball coach after Jim Brownlee retired after 7 seasons.  Kingston was an assistant for the 2009 season, helping the Redbirds to their first winning season since 2001.

Indiana State

2009 Season: (33-21, 15-7)

Nickname: Sycamores

Head Coach: Rick Heller

Location: Terre Haute, IN

Vitals: .317 BA, 59 HR, .404 OBP, .976 Fld. %…5.94 ERA, 2 CG, 5 SVs, 365 K, 222 BB, .301 Opp. BA

Starting Over: Indiana State begins a new era this year with Rick Heller taking over as head coach.  Heller came from Northern Iowa after they eliminated their baseball program following the 2009 season.  Heller succeeds Lindsay Meggs who left to become the head coach at Washington.

Rebuilding Year?: ISU’s 33 wins in 2009 was the most since 2003, and their 15-7 league record was good enough for second place, best finish since 1998.  This year, however, the Sycamores return just 5 regular starters, and only 4 out of 11 pichers return.  The biggest losses are leading hitter Nick Ciolli (.401, 5 HR, 50 RBI), Brady Shoemaker (.359, 14 HR, 50 RBI), and closer Matt Shelton (4-1, 5.45 ERA, 5 SVs).

Good Rotation: 2 of the 4 pitchers that do return are the top two pitchers from last season.  Jr. RHP Jacob Petricka (7-3, 4.76 ERA, 49 K) and Sr. LHP Joe Rodriguez (7-3, 5.29 ERA, 1 CG) are back to lead the inexperienced pitching staff.

Missouri State

2009 Season: (34-20, 17-5)

Nickname: Bears

Head Coach: Keith Guttin

Location: Springfield, MO

Vitals: .302 BA, 61 HR, .395 OBP, .961 Fld. %…4.51 ERA, 5 CG, 11 SVs, 431 K, 199 BB, .264 Opp. BA

Big 2009: Missouri State began 2009 a disappointing 4-10, but quickly rebounded going 30-10 over the final 40 games capturing the MVC title, their first since 2003.  Two MSU players earned All-American honors with Buddy

Baumann (11-1, 3.23 ERA, 101 K), the MVC Pitcher of the Year, a second-team selection by Collegiate Baseball and the ABCA, and Brayden Drake (.414, 10 HR, 54 RBI), MVC Player of the Year, a third-team All-American from Collegiate Baseball.

Still Talented: While the Bears lose Baumann and Drake, and had 6 players drafted, Missouri State still brings back a lot of talent for 2010.  The offense will be led by Freshman All-American So. INF Kevin Medrano (.329, 76 H, 40 RBI) while Jr. LHP Aaron Meade (9-2, 3.39 EA, 89 K) heads up the pitching staff.

Challenges Abound: A tough non-conference slate faces the Bears this season.  Among the non-conference slate are games against Georgia Tech, Southern Mississippi, Oklahoma State, Kansas, and Oral Roberts.

Southern Illinois

2009 Season: (24-28, 11-9)

Nickname: Salukis

Head Coach: Dan Callahan

Location: Carbondale, IL

Vitals: .286 BA, 35 HR, .348 OBP, .971 Fld. %…4.77 ERA, 1 CG, 8 SVs, 288 K, 183 BB, .291 Opp. BA

Key Returners: Southern Illinois returns several key members from last season.  Seven starters return to the lineup including preseason All-MVC selection C Tyler Bullock (.292, 11 HR, 33 RBI) and Sr. OF Aaron Roberts (.301, 35 R, 6 SB).  The pitching staff is led by the schools all-time leader in saves Sr. RHP Bryant George (3-0, 3.21 ERA, 8 SVs), and returning starter Sr. LHP Jimmy Cornell (2-2, 3.26 ERA, .216 Opp. BA).

Courage Under Fire: SIU head coach Dan Callahan received the 2009 MVC Most Courageous Award given to those who demonstrates unusual courage in the face of personal illness, adversity or tragedy and whose behavior reflects honor on the institution or the Conference.  Callahan was diagnosed with a form of melanoma in 2006, and continues to battle the illness today.  After coaching full-time in 2007 and 2008, he was unable to travel with the team last season, but still coached every home game.  Callahan hopes to travel with the team once again this season.

Wichita State

2009 Season: (30-27, 11-7)

Nickname: Shockers

Head Coach: Gene Stephenson

Location: Wichita, KS

Vitals: .275 BA, 33 HR, .362 OBP, .964 Fld. %…4.26 ERA, 6 CG, 11 SVs, 508 K, 186 BB, .265 Opp. BA

Continuing Dominance: Wichita State finished 3^rd in the regular season last year, but put it together to capture their second consecutive, and 7th conference tournament title of the decade.  They also made the NCAA tournament for the 8^th consecutive year, and for the 21^st time in the last 22 years.  This season 7 starters and 20 letterwinners overall return.

Pitching Prowess: The Shockers return their top four starters from a season ago in Jr. Tim Kelley (5-4, 2.86 ERA, 3 CG), Freshman All-American So. Jordan Cooper (8-6, 2.78 ERA, 3 CG), Freshman All-American So. Charlie Lowell (6-2, 2.95 ERA, .246 Opp. BA), and So. Brian Flynn (2-5, 4.98 ERA, 59 K)

To Be the Best: Wichita State will play several challenging games this season with contests against Kansas, Oklahoma State, Florida Gulf Coast, Long Beach State, Arizona, Oral Roberts, Nebraska, and Dallas Baptist.

2010 Missouri Valley Predictions

Conference Champion: Wichita State

2010 Player of the Year: Elliot Soto–Creighton

2010 Pitcher of the Year: Jordan Cooper—Wichita State

SEC 2010 Baseball Preview – Eastern Division

Half Of The Division Made NCAA Field Last Year

2009 Eastern Division Champion:  Florida

2009 Western Division Champion:  LSU & Ole Miss Tied with 20-10 records

2009 SEC Tournament Champion:  LSU

Banner Year:  Teams outside the SEC often complain the conference gets too much respect when it comes to NCAA Tournament bids, but the SEC lived-up to its lofty status last year.  Eight SEC teams received NCAA bids in 2009, with half of them, LSU, Ole Miss, Florida, and Arkansas, advancing to at least a Super Regional.  Arkansas and LSU both made it to Omaha, while the Tigers winning the 2009 National Championship.

Big Crowds:  The SEC drew a record of nearly 1.9 million fans to its on-campus ballparks in 2009, the fourth year in a row to draw over 1.6 million. Seven SEC teams drew in excess of 100,000 fans to their parks in 2009. The SEC averaged a record 4,689 fans per game in 2009, the third straight year to exceed the 4,000 mark.

2010 SEC Eastern Division Preview

Florida

2009 Record:  (42-22, 19-11)

Mascot:  Gators

Head Coach:  Kevin O’Sullivan

Location:  Gainesville, FL

Vitals:  .309 BA, 68 HR, 72 SB, .393 OBP, .966 Fld%…4.27 ERA, 0 CG, 13 SV, 427 K, 188 BB, .282 opp. BA

The Good With The Bad:  After winning the SEC Eastern division last year Florida advance to a Super Regional for the first time since going to the 2005 College World Series.  However, the Gators lost both of their Super Regional games on their home field to Cinderella Southern Mississippi.

Notable Returns:  The Gators return four of their top six batters from last year’s team.  2009 SEC co-Freshman of the Year Preston Tucker (.364, 15 HR, 85 RBIs) heads the group.  He’s joined by two time All-SEC performer Josh Adams (.342, 8 HR, 52 RBIs) and OF Matt den Dekker (.296, 5 HR, 37 RBIs).

Oh Brother:  Brothers Jonathon (.357, 6 HR, 32 RBIs) and Daniel Pigott (.301, 3 HR, 21 RBIs) are back to patrol the Gator outfield.  Jonathon is a senior while Daniel is a sophomore.

The Sophomore Four:  Sophomore pitchers Tommy Toledo, Anthony DeSclafini (6-3, 4.98 ERA), Nick Maronde (3-1, 4.40 ERA) and Alex Pantaliodis (6-5, 4.38 ERA) are expected to lead the Gator pitching staff.  Toledo missed all of his freshman season while recovering from shoulder surgery.

Arms And Innings To Replace:  Bullpen stalwarts Tony Davis (5-0, 2.25 ERA) and Billy Bullock (3-3, 2.64 ERA, 11 SV) are both departed.  The duo combined for 66 appearances with 87 strikeouts in 91 2/3 IP last year.

Keep It In Florida:  Not only do the Gators play their first 22 games in the state of Florida, they also play 15 games vs. intrastate rivals South Florida, Florida State, Miami, Central Florida, Florida Gulf Coast, Florida Atlantic, Bethune-Cookman and North Florida.

Georgia

2009 Record:  (38-24, 15-15)

Mascot:  Bulldogs

Head Coach:  David Perno

Location:  Athens, GA

Vitals:  .292 BA, 109 HR, 72 SB, .381 OBP, .966 Fld%…4.86 ERA, 0 CG, 12 SV, 487 K, 257 BB, .274 opp. BA

Tough Slate:  According to Boysdworld.com Georgia’s 2010 schedule is the 8th toughest in the nation.  It is also the toughest schedule in the SEC.  The Bulldogs open the season with two games against Baylor and two vs. Duke in Waco, TX.  They also play non-conference games against the likes of Florida State, Georgia Tech, Clemson, and Georgia State-all made the 2009 NCAA field (as did Baylor), with FSU & Clemson going to Super Regionals.

Near Total Turnover:  Georgia loses six of its top eight batters from last year’s NCAA Regional team, including team triple crown winner Rich Poythress (.376, 25 HR, 86 RBIs), Bryce Massanari (.305, 19 HR, 57 RBIs), Matt Cerione (12 HR), and Joey Lewis (19 HR).  Freshman All-American third baseman Colby May (.339, 11 HR, 42 RBIs) heads the list of returnees.  Players who had part-time roles last year like Zach Cone (.323, 4 HR) and Peter Verdin (.316, 2 HR) are likely to see bigger roles this year.

The Pitching:  The Bulldogs return starters Justin Grimm (4-4, 4.15 ERA) and Alex McRee (4-4, 6.27 ERA) as well as relievers like Cecil Tanner (3-1, 4.29) , Jeff Walters (2-0, 4.64 ERA) and Michael Palazzone (3-0, 5.13 ERA).  They lose Trevor Holder (7-5, 4.48 ERA) and closer Dean Weaver (3.60 ERA, 10 SV).

Kentucky

2009 Record:  (28-26, 12-18)

Mascot:  Wildcats

Head Coach:  Gary Henderson

Location:  Lexington, KY

Vitals:  .297 BA, 56 HR, 71 RBIs, .385 OBP, .966 Fld%…5.55 ERA, 4 CG, 9 SV, 523 K, 202 BB, .284 opp. BA

Wildcats Back:  Kentucky returns 8 of its top 10 batters from 2009, including team batting & RBI leader Chris Bisson (.360, 52 RBIs, 13 SB), Chad Wright (.343), Braden Kapteyn (.319), and team home run leader Marcus Nidiffer (.312, 10 HR, 32 RBIs).

Pitching:  Kapteyn (5-0, 6.06 ERA, 4 SV) also made 23 relief appearances last year as a freshman.  Fellow sophomore Alex Meyer (1-4, 5.73 ERA) is the only starter to return who made more than 10 starts last year.   Jr. LHP Logan Darnell (5-6, 4.50 ERA, 3 SV) is back as well.  Starters Chris Rusin (7-4, 4.20 ERA) and James Paxton (5-3, 5.86 ERA) are both gone.  Rusin had all four of the staff’s complete games last year.

Midweek Madness:  The Wildcats play home-and-home midweek games vs. intrastate rivals Western Kentucky and Louisville, which both made the 2009 NCAA Tournament.  They also have midweek games vs. Indiana, Wright State and Xavier, which also qualified for last year’s NCAA field.

South Carolina

2009 Record:  (40-23, 17-13)

Mascot:  Gamecocks

Head Coach:  Ray Tanner

Location:  Columbia, SC

Vitals:  .310 BA, 109 HR, 45 SB, .394 OBP, .974 Fld%…5.07 ERA, 6 CG, 8 SV, 500 K, 268 BB, .260 opp. BA

Regional Regulars:  South Carolina’s 10 straight NCAA Regional appearances is the longest such streak of any SEC school.  The Gamecocks have advanced to seven Super Regionals with three straight College World Series appearances

(2002, 2003 & 2004) since 2000.  They fell to host East Carolina in the championship of last year’s Greenville Regional.

Packing Some Pitching:  The Gamecocks return their entire weekend rotation, with 9-game winners Sam Dyson (9-4, 5.21 ERA) and Blake Cooper (9-4, 4.50 ERA) joined by LHP Nolan Belcher (4-5, 5.33), who earned Freshman All-American honors last year.   Senior Jay Brown (3-0, 3.35 ERA) returns as well.  Closer Alex Farotto (4-2, 4.96 ERA, 7 SVs) must be replaced.

Carolina Core:  Senior first baseman Nick Ebert (.321, 23 HR, 72 RBIs) is back to lead the USC line-up.  His 23 home runs are the second most of any returning player in all of college baseball this year.  He’s joined by Junior OF Whit Merrifield (.340, 11 HR, 49 RBIs, 15 SB), Jr. Parker Bangs (.328, 5 HR), and Sr. Bobby Haney (.291), who started all 63 USC games last year at shortstop.  The most notable losses are Mack DeAngelo (.360, 14 HR, 60 RBIs) and Justin Dalles (.324, 15 HR).

Out For A While:  USC recently announced that 2009 Freshman All-American Jackie Bradley, Jr. (.349, 11 HR, 46 RBIs) will miss 4-8 weeks with a broken hand.

Rematch:  After falling to East Carolina in last year’s NCAA Regional South Carolina plays a 3-game series at ECU the second weekend of the season.

Tennessee

2009 Record:  (26-29, 11-19)

Mascot:  Volunteers

Head Coach:  Todd Raleigh

Location:  Knoxville, TN

Vitals:  .286 BA, 87 HR, 39 SB, .378 OBP, .972 Fld%…6.16 ERA, 1 CG, 8 SV, 493 K, 215 BB, .290 opp. BA

They Have Their Number:  Despite finishing the 2008 & 2009 seasons with losing records Tennessee won 5 of the 6 games it played vs. LSU in the last two years.  The Tigers lost all three games vs. the Vols in their ‘08 CWS season and dropped 2 of 3 games to Tennesse in Baton Rouge last year before going on to with the 2009 National Championship.

Valuable Vols:  Tennessee returns six of its top eight batters from 2009, including Cody Hawn (.364, 22 HR, 81 RBIs), who is just the 10th Vol to win the team Triple Crown.  Blake Forsythe (.347, 15 HR, 46 RBIs) and Josh Liles (.313, 8 HR, 8 SB) are among the other top returnees.

Experience Addition:  Junior shortstop Matt Duffy joins Tennessee after two years at Vermont.  Duffy was named the America East Conference Player of the Year in 2009 after hitting .388 with 13 HR, 57 RBIs and a .713 slugging percentage.  He transferred and is eligible to play this year after Vermont discontinued baseball after last season.

On The Mound:  Seniors Stephen McCray (4-3, 5.16 ERA) and Aaron Tullo (2-6, 7.80 ERA) return along with sophomores Adam Adkins (2-1, 5.27 ERA) and Matt Ramsey (5.45 ERA), who had team-highs with 27 appearances and 4 saves last yer.  The staff’s most experienced pitchers, Nick Hernandez (4-5, 5.23 ERA, 13 starts) and Ty’Relle Harris (4-4, 6.18 ERA), are both gone.

Early Tests:  The Vols play 11 of their first 15 games of the season against 2009 NCAA Tournament teams.  They start by hosting a 3-game series vs. Xavier, followed by three games at Oregon State, with games to follow vs. Binghamton, Ohio State, Western Kentucky, and Middle Tennessee State.

Vanderbilt

2009 Record:  (37-27, 12-17)

Mascot:  Commodores

Head Coach:  Tim Corbin

Location:  Nashville, TN

Vitals:  .306 BA, 56 HR, 89 SB, .392 OBP, .972 Fld%…4.66 ERA, 6 CG, 17 SV, 604 K, 207 BB, .271 opp. BA

Head East…Far East:  Vanderbilt traveled to Tokyo, Japan over their 2009 Thanksgiving break to play four exhibition games against Japanese universities.  The Commodores were 3-1 in those games in which wooden bats were used.

Commodore Arms:  Vandy loses just four of the 14 pitchers who saw action last year, but three of the losses, Mike Minor (6-6, 3.90 ERA), Caleb Cotham (7-5, 4.10 ERA) and Nick Christiani (6-6, 5.00 ERA), were their top three starters last year.  Those three accounted for more than a third of the staff’s strikeouts, 19 of the team’s 37 wins, 39 of 64 starts, and all 6 of the staff’s complete games last year.  Juniors Russell Brewer (1-2, 2.96 ERA, 4 SV), Chase Reid

(3-0, 4.46 ERA) and Taylor Hill (2-1, 5.05 ERA) and sophomore Sonny Gray (5-1, 4.30 ERA) are among those who will look to fill the void.  Gray was recently invited to the 2010 USA Baseball Team Trials.

Power Down:  The Commodores lose their top two hitters, Aaron Westlake (.377, 10 HR, 57 RBIs) and Steven Liddle (.348, 10 HR, 51 RBIs), from last year’s NCAA team.  They tied with returning catcher Curt Casali (.336, 10 HR, 59 RBIs) for the team home run lead.  Riley Reynolds (.332, 12 SB), Brian Harris (.299, 9 HR, 10 SB), Andrew Giobbi (.289, 6 HR), and Jason Esposito (.287, 20 SB)  all return as well.

2010 SEC Eastern Division Predictions

Top Eastern Division Player:  Preston Tucker – Florida

Top Eastern Division Pitcher:  Sam Dyson – South Carolina

Eastern Division Champion:  South Carolina

CLICK HERE for the Western Division Preview with overall picks for Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year and conference champion.

OVC 2010 Preseason Coaches Poll & Preview

Eastern Illinois Tabbed As Ohio Valley Favorite

The overall voting in the preseason poll was close as three different teams received first-place votes. Eastern Illinois garnered three first-place votes and 59 total points in being picked the favorites. Jacksonville State got the most first-place vote (4), but finished three points (56) behind Eastern Illinois in being picked second overall. Tennessee Tech, last year’s OVC Tournament Champions, picked up the other two first-place votes and finished third in the predicted order of finish with 51 points. Murray State was picked fourth (43), followed by Morehead State (33), Eastern Kentucky (26), Southeast Missouri (25), Austin Peay (22) and UT Martin (9).

In all, 14 players were selected to the Preseason All-OVC team. The 14 players represented seven of the nine teams who will compete for the OVC championship this season. Murray State led the way with four selections while Jacksonville State had three picks. Returning players who were first-team selections at the end of last season were automatic picks for this year’s team.

Eastern Illinois

After winning the 2008 OVC Tournament Championship, Eastern Illinois ran through the regular season last year picking up several impressive non-conference wins (Illinois and No. 15 Oklahoma among those) before compiling a 13-5 OVC record on its way to the 2009 OVC Regular Season Title. It was the program’s first regular season title since 2001 and fourth since joining the league. The Panthers, however, lost two games at the OVC Tournament and came up just short of an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. In its quest to reach the NCAA Tournament once again, EIU returns 16 players from last year and brings in 18 talented newcomers. Gone are 2009 OVC Player of the Year Jordan Kreke, All-American outfielder Brett Nommensen and Comp Round A First-Year Amateur Draft pick Tyler Kehrer; returning are senior utility man Richie Derbak (.417, 78 hits, 12 doubles, 5 home runs in 2009) who will help to bolster the offense while two of the top pitchers in the league – Josh Mueller and Mike Recchia – should make the Panthers one of the top pitching teams in the OVC. Mueller (8-1, 4.85 ERA, 78.0 IP, 64 K’s) was tabbed OVC Preseason Co-Pitcher of the Year after a great sophomore season that drew the eyes of professional scouts. The senior Recchia (8-2, 3.02 ERA, 65.2 IP, 62 K’s) was a first-team All-OVC selection last season for the Panthers and is on the preseason team this season.

Jacksonville State

Jacksonville State, last year’s preseason favorites, struggled down the stretch last season, losing its last eight regular season games and finishing as the No. 6 seed for the OVC Tournament. The Gamecocks bounced back in the tournament, winning several games before falling to Tennessee Tech in the championship contest. Head coach Jim Case has 20 returning letterwinners from last year’s squad, including eight positional starters and three pitchers back. Although All-American and third round MLB Draft pick Ben Tootle is gone from the starting rotation, senior Austin Lucas and sophomore Tanner Freshour return; last year the duo combined for 10 wins and 140 innings of work. JSU also has first-team All-OVC reliever Bill Henke returning (9 saves). The strength of this year’s Gamecock squad will be offense, which starts with junior outfielder Todd Cunningham, who led the prestigious Cape Cod league in batting (.378) this past summer. He was tabbed a first-team preseason All-America by Baseball America earlier this month. Cunningham is joined in the outfield by preseason All-OVC pick Daniel Adamson (.322, 10 home runs, 14 stolen bases) and sophomore Kyle Bluestein, who led the team in batting average (.393) on his way to OVC Rookie of the Year honors in 2009. Also back are senior second baseman Bert Smith and senior closer Alex Jones, who each missed last season with injuries. Smith (.332, 13 doubles, 15 stolen bases) and Jones (8 saves) were each first-team All-OVC picks in 2008.

Tennessee Tech

Tennessee Tech became the first No. 5 seed to win the OVC Tournament last season, winning all four of its games including two exciting extra inning affairs. It marked the first OVC Tournament title for the program since 2001. After winning the OVC Championship a year ago, the Golden Eagles matched up with Clemson in the NCAA Regional, losing two games to the Tigers sandwiched between a victory over nationally-ranked Alabama in an elimination game. Tech’s pitching staff is highlighted by preseason All-OVC pick Lee Henry, who was 9-3 with a 3.43 E.R.A. last year. Henry also had two of Tennessee Tech’s victories at the OVC Tournament. The offense is led by junior A.J. Kirby-Jones, who set a school record with 20 home runs last season. Kirby-Jones, the MVP of the OVC Tournament, also pitched 49 innings in 2009, recording three wins and three saves.

Murray State

Murray State led the way with four selections on the preseason All-OVC squad, including senior first baseman Wes Cunningham (.411, 79 hits, 11 home runs, 52 RBI), senior outfielder Daniel Hill (.344, 63 hits, 12 doubles, 16 home runs, 69 RBI), senior designated hitter Jason Laws (.373, 57 hits, 39 RBI) and senior pitcher Chris Craycraft (10-3. 4.05 E.R.A., 100 IP, 80 K’s). Craycraft was also selected the 2010 Preseason OVC Co-Pitcher of the Year after his dominant junior season that saw him earn second-team All-OVC honors. Craycraft was part of the staff last season that had 15 complete games, the most in the OVC. The Thoroughbreds also led the league with a 4.53 team E.R.A., which was 0.41 less than the second place team in the Conference. The team will have to replace the production of 2009 OVC Pitcher of the Year Daniel Calhoun, who was 11th

nationally in E.R.A. last season (2.32) and was drafted in the 29th round by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Morehead State

Under the direction of head coach Jay Sorg, who enters his third season with the Eagles in 2010, Morehead State has made a turnaround, advancing to the OVC Tournament field last season for the first time since 2005. Morehead State returns 20 letterwinners from last year’s squad that was 12-10 in league play (third place). At the top of the MSU potent lineup is All-American shortstop Drew Lee, who set the Morehead State record for hits in a season last year (86) while hitting .417 with 18 doubles, 17 home runs, 67 RBI and a .764 slugging percentage. Lee was named a preseason All-American by Louisville Slugger and Ping!Baseball. Lee was also selected as the OVC Preseason Co-Player of the Year. Joining Lee on the All-OVC preseason team is senior outfielder J.D. Ashbrook (.371, 75 hits, 16 doubles, 14 home runs, 36 RBI). Senior utility player Michael Bottoms provides both pop with his bat (.350, 75 hits, 8 home runs, 61 RBI) and stability on the mound (team-best 4.15 ERA in 52 innings last season).

Eastern Kentucky

Eastern Kentucky won 27 games a season ago under first-year head coach Jason Stein but missed out on qualifying for the OVC Tournament field due to a tiebreaker. Stein will look to junior third baseman Jayson Langfels, the OVC Preseason Co-Player of the Year, to provide offensive pop. Langfels ranked first nationally a season ago in RBI per game (1.67), third in batting average (.441) and sixth nationally in slugging (.800). Langfels also had 75 hits, 45 runs scored, six triples, 12 home runs, 72 RBI and 16 stolen bases during the campaign. He is one of six positional starters back for the Colonels this season. That number also includes sophomore shortstop Richie Rodriguez, an OVC All-Freshman Team pick last season. On the mound junior Paul Duncan (7-6, 6.01 ERA in 76.1 IP) is EKU’s top returning starter.

Southeast Missouri

If the Southeast Missouri Redhawks are one thing it is consistent, as they have qualified for 15-straight OVC Baseball Tournaments, a league record. Those have all come under the direction of head coach Mark Hogan, who enters his 16th year as the team’s skipper in 2010. The strength of the Redhawks is senior catcher/closer Jim Klocke, arguably the top catcher in the league. The OVC Rookie of the Year in 2007, Klocke has been a first-team All-OVC pick each of the last two years. Last season he hit .394 with 74 hits, 56 runs scored, 20 doubles, 9 home runs and 46 RBI. Klocke also took on a new role as his team’s closer, appearing in 17 games and amassing seven saves in 23.2 innings of work. He struck out 22 and walked only seven in his time on the mound. Drafted by his hometown St. Louis Cardinals, Klocke decided to return to college for his final

year and has been named a preseason All-American by Louisville Slugger.

Austin Peay

Austin Peay saw a streak of 10 consecutive OVC Tournament appearances end last season when the team finished 7-12 in league play. Head coach Gary McClure, who is in his 23rd season with the Governors, will have 23 letterwinners back from last year’s team, including nine positional starters and five starting pitchers. Among those returners is senior catcher Trey Lucas (.382, 20 doubles, 35 RBI), senior first baseman Matt Kole (.333, 9 home runs, 42 RBI) and 2009 OVC All-Freshman Team honoree Jon Clinard (.287, 22 stolen bases). On the mound junior Ryne Harper won four games and had a team-low 4.12 E.R.A. last season.

Tennessee-Martin

UT Martin won 21 games overall last season, the program’s highest total since joining the Ohio Valley Conference in the 1993 season. Head coach Victor “Bubba” Cates has 13 letterwinners back from last year’s team including senior catcher Ty Nelson (.345, 6 home runs, 27 RBI) and junior utility man Wes Patterson (.331, 11 home runs, 47 RBI).

SIU-Edwardsville

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville officially became a member of the league on July 1, 2008. SIUE, however, is still in the reclassification process to Division I and the team will not play a full OVC baseball schedule until 2012 and will not be eligible for postseason competition until 2013. Despite not counting in the OVC standings this season, the Cougars will play season series with seven of the nine other OVC schools.

The 62nd season of OVC baseball will get underway on Friday, Feb. 19 with the first weekend of league play being held March 27-28. The season will culminate with the 2010 OVC Tournament which will be held for the first time at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn. Pringles Park is the home of the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The tournament runs May 26-30.

2010 OVC Preseason Predicted Order of Finish
1. Eastern Illinois (3 first-place votes) – 59
2. Jacksonville State (4) – 56
3. Tennessee Tech (2) – 51
4. Murray State – 43
5. Morehead State - 33
6. Eastern Kentucky - 26
7. Southeast Missouri - 25
8. Austin Peay - 22
9. UT Martin - 9

2010 OVC Preseason All-OVC Team
Preseason OVC Co-Player of the Year: Drew Lee, Morehead State
Preseason OVC Co-Player of the Year: Jayson Langfels, Eastern Kentucky
Preseason OVC Co-Pitcher of the Year: Chris Craycraft, Murray State
Preseason OVC Co-Pitcher of the Year: Josh Mueller, Eastern Illinois

C - Jim Klocke, Southeast Missouri
1B - Wes Cunningham, Murray State
2B - Bert Smith, Jacksonville State
SS - Drew Lee, Morehead State
3B - Jayson Langfels, Eastern Kentucky
OF - Daniel Hill, Murray State
OF - J.D. Ashbrook, Morehead State
OF - Daniel Adamson, Jacksonville State
DH - Jason Laws, Murray State
UT - Richie Derbak, Eastern Illinois
SP - Mike Recchia, Eastern Illinois
SP - Chris Craycraft, Murray State
SP - Lee Henry, Tennessee Tech
RP - Bill Henke, Jacksonville State

(Release)

Pac 10 Baseball 2010 Preview

Can ASU Keep On Winning Without Murphy?

2009 Pac 10 Champion:  Arizona State (No Pac 10 Postseason Tournament)

The More Things Change…:  There wasn’t much change at the top of the Pac 10 ranks, but there was some turnover in the middle.  Arizona State’s 2009 Pac 10 title was its third straight to give the Sun Devils their 10th straight NCAA appearance.  However, Washington State went from the bottom of the conference in 2008 to a second-place finish last year.  It was the Cougars’ first top five finish in the conference since 1991 and they earned their first NCAA Regional appearance since 1990.  Meanwhile, Oregon brought back baseball & played its first games since 1981, Oregon State was back in the tournament after staying home in 2008 and Stanford missed the NCAAs after a 2008 trip to the CWS.  The biggest news from the Pac 10 in 2009 though came in the off season with the departure of ASU head coach Pat Murphy.  The big question now is: Can ASU continue its success with a new head coach?

2010 Pac 10 Baseball Preview

Arizona

2009 Record:  (30-25, 13-14)

Mascot:  Wildcats

Head Coach:  Andy Lopez

Location:  Tucson, AZ

Vitals:  .314 BA, 46 HR, 71 SB, .387 OBP, .965 Fld%…5.46 ERA, 0 CG, 13 SV, 379 K, 215 BB, .293 opp. BA

Slight Returns:  The Wildcats have just 12 returning players from last year’s roster.  They will have as many as 16 freshman on the roster this season.

The Holes:  Pac 10 batting champion Dillon Baird (.433, 8 HR, 55 RBIs) leads the list of departed players.  Hunter Pace (.372, 15 SB) and Dwight Childs (.331) are gone from the line-up as well.  Arizona also loses its top starting pitcher, Preston Guilmet (6-5, 3.74 ERA), as well as relievers Cory Burns (2-0, 3.80 ERA, 40 appearances) and Jason Stoffel (2-1, 4.67 ERA, 39 app., 11 SV).

Who’s Back:  The top returning pitcher include Daniel Workman (3-1, 3.86 ERA), Joe Allison (5-1, 4.66 ERA) and Kyle Simon (3-5, 6.03 ERA, 11 starts).  Bryce Ortega (.324, 16 SB) and Steve Selsky (.318 will lead the offense).

Family Ties:  Brothers Michael and David Lopez will both wear the Wildcat uniform this season.  Their dad is head coach Andy Lopez.  Michael is a pitcher who redshirted last year, while David is a freshman infielder.

Tucson Time:  Arizona plays its first 26 games, including its conference-opening series vs. Oregon, on its home

field in Tucson, AZ.  The Wildcats have a total of 44 home games in 2010.

Arizona State

2009 Record:  (51-14, 21-6)

Mascot:  Sun Devils

Head Coach:  Tim Esmay

Location:  Tempe, AZ

Vitals:  .303 BA, 75 HR, 116 SB, .418 OBP, .969 Fld%…2.90 ERA, 11 CG, 12 SV, 608 K, 157 BB, .239 opp. BA

Meet The New Boss:  Pat Murphy is gone after 15 seasons in the desert.  Murphy’s last win in a Sun Devil uniform was a 12-5 victory over North Carolina in Omaha, and it was the 1,000th of his career.  New head coach Tim Esmay is no stranger to the ASU

program.  He played in the College World Series for Jim Brock’s Sun Devils in 1987 and ‘88, and he was also an assistant to Murphy for the last five seasons.  Esmay was also the head coach at Utah from 1997-2004.

Line-Up Lowdown:  ASU returns 7 of its top 9 hitters who saw significant action in 2009.  The glaring losses are Pac 10 Player of the Year Jason Kipnis (.384, 16 HR, 71 RBIs, 27 SB) and catcher Carlos Ramirez (.338, 19 HR, 75 RBIs).  However, Kole Calhoun (.313, 12 HR, 53 RBIs) is back for his senior season.  Calhoun hit 3 HR with 11 RBIs in Omaha.  Sophomores Johnny Ruettiger (.360, 12 SB) & Drew Maggi (.309, 21 SB) and junior Matt Newman (.305, 7 HR, 54 RBIs) all return as well.

Oh Brother:  Senior co-captain Rauol Torrez (.250,15 SB) and soph. Riccio Torrez (.280, 6 HR) are the fifth set of brothers to play at ASU at the same time, but they are the first to start alongside one another in school history.  All 54 of Rauol’s starts came at third base, while most of Riccio’s were at first base.  The brothers are back as well to anchor the Sun Devil infield in 2010.

An Ace Down:  RHP Mike Leake (16-1, 1.71 ERA, 7 CG) and LHP Josh Spence (10-1, 2.37 ERA) were both good enough to be any team’s ace last year, but only senior Spence is back this season.  Leake signed after being taken in the first round of last year’s draft by Cincinnati.  Spence decided to return for his year after going in the third round to the Angels.  Other notable returning pitchers are LHP Mitchell Lambson (9-5, 3.01 ERA, 5 SV) and RHP Jordan Swaggerty (4-1, 4.50 ERA, 4 SV).

California

2009 Record:  (24-29, 9-18)

Mascot:  Golden Bears

Head Coach:  David Esquer

Location:  Berkeley, CA

Vitals:  .298 BA, 65 HR, 66 SB, .375 OBP, .966 Fld%…5.74, 2 CG, 13 SV, 423 K, 249 BB, .284 opp. BA

Big Bear Losses:  Cal loses three of its top four batters from last year, including two-way player Blake Smith (.319, 10 HR, 38 RBIs), who was drafted in the second round last year by the Dodgers.  Smith had two saves out of the

bullpen while starting three games as well.  Jeff Kobernus (.341, 8 HR, 20 SB) and Brett Jackson (.321, 8 HR, 11 SB) are both gone as well.

Top Bear Back:  Cal’s top overall hitter, Mark Canha, is returns.  The junior led Cal in average (.366), HR (12), RBIs (43), slg% (.634), and OBP (.444).  Brian Guinn (.315, 10 SB) and Danny Oh (.303, 7 HR) is back as well.

Plenty Of Pitching: The Golden Bears return most of their pitchers from a staff that finished with the worst ERA in the conference last year.  Reliver Dixon Anderson (3.98 ERA, 3 SV), LHP Chris Petrini (4-3, 3.98 ERA) and Erik Johnson (3-6, 4.41 ERA, 9 starts, CG, 4 SV) are among the top returnees.

No-Nonsense Non-Conference:  In consecutive weeks Cal plays non-conference games vs. 2009 CWS team Arkansas (3 at home), 2009 Super Regional team Rice (4 in Houston) and ‘09 NCAA team Cal Poly (3 on the road).  They follow that with their Pac 10-opening series at Arizona State.

Call From The Hall:  Former Cal head coach Bob Milano was inducted into the ABCA Hall of Fame in January.  He won 688 games at Cal from 1978-1999 and led the Golden Bears to the College World Series in 1980, 1988 and 1992.

Oregon

2009 Record:  (14-42, 4-23)

Mascot:  Ducks

Head Coach:  George Horton

Location:  Eugene, OR

Vitals:  .227 BA, 16 HR, 60 SB, .296 OBP, .961 Fld%…5.07 ERA, 4 CG, 8 SV, 357 K, 239 BB, .271 opp. BA

Growing Pains:  Oregon fielded its first baseball team since 1981 last year, and things looked bright early when the Ducks beat St. Mary’s 5-3 in their season opener.  They lost the next two games of the series, but then won 2 of 3 games at home vs. defending national champion Fresno State.  That would be the high point of their inaugural season though, as they won just three games after March 31 en-route to a 14-win campaign.  Oregon finished last in the Pac 10 in these (and a few other) statistical categories:  Batting average, HR, runs, slg%, OBP, hits, RBIs, doubles, total bases, walks, strikeouts (by pitchers), saves.  They also committed the second most errors (85) in the conference behind USC”S 101.

The Bright Side:  After a bumpy first year George Horton returns all but five players who saw action last year, while nine freshmen and a handful of junior college transfers join the team.  Here’s a look at some of the returnees with the category in which they led the Ducks last year Curt Raulinaitis (batting avg.-.291), K.C. Serna (RBIs-19 & HR-3), Danny Pulfer (starts-55 & BB-19), Drew Gagnier (ERA-2.70, appearances-23, saves-7).  Starting pitchers Erik Stavert (5-6, 3.04 ERA, 14 starts) & Tyler Anderson (2-9, 15 starts) are both gone.

Homecoming:  Oregon opens the season at Cal State Fullerton, where Horton played and later spent 11 seasons as the Titans’ head coach.  Horton guided Fullerton to six College World Series appearances and the 2004 National Championship.  Current Fullerton head coach Dave Serrano was an assistant under Horton.

Oregon State

2009 Record:  (37-19, 15-12)

Mascot:  Beavers

Head Coach:  Pat Casey

Location:  Corvallis, OR

Vitals:  .278 BA, 23 HR, 53 SB, .392 OBP, .977 Fld%…3.93 ERA, 3 CG, 13 SV, 431 K, 199 BB, .245 opp. BA

Locked Line-Up:  Oregon State returns six starters from last year’s team.  All-Pac 10 honoree Adalberto Santos (.320, 4 HR, 43 RBIs, 15 SB) and team HR and RBI leader Stefan Romero (..291, 5 HR, 51 RBIs) head the group.

Plus Pitching:  The Beavers’ 3.93 team ERA ranked second in the Pac 10 last year to Arizona State, and they return two starters, Sam Gaviglio (10-1, 2.73 ERA) and Tyler Waldron (6-4, 4.15 ERA), and closer Kevin Rhoderick (3-3, 4.18 ERA, 9 SV).  Gaviglio was a Freshman All-American last year.

Turn The Page:  Baseball America recently named Oregon State the #2 team of the past decade, while tabbing head coach Pat Casey the coach of the decade.  The Beavers won back-to-back National Championships in 2006 and 2007 and made an additional trip to Omaha.  They averaged 35.6 wins a season from 2000-2009.

Stanford

2009 Record:  (30-25, 13-14)

Mascot:  Cardinal

Head Coach:  Mark Marquess

Location:  Palo Alto, CA

Vitals:  .279 BA, 49 HR, 46 SB, .360 OBP, .977 Fld%…5.12 ERA, 2 CG, 8 SV, 381 K, 222 BB, .268 opp. BA

Rare Absence:  After a trip to the 2008 College World Series Stanford missed the NCAA Tournament last year.  It was

the second time in three seasons that the Cardinal failed to receive a post season bid, but it’s also just the third time since 1990 that Stanford did not at least go to an NCAA Regional.

Core Cardinals:  Stanford returns 2B Colin Walsh (.320, .466 OBP), SS Jeff Schlander (.232), catcher Zach Jones (.239, 3 HR), and OF Kellen Killsgard (.313, 9 HR, 46 RBIs).  Walsh was the team’s top hitter as a sophomore and was named a Cape Cod League All-Star last summer,  while Schlander was named the 2009 Pac 10 Defensive Player of the Year.  The team loses top run producer Brent Milleville (.306, 14 HR, 52 RBIs).

Cardinal Arms:  Starting pitchers Jordan Pries (4-4. 4.62 ERA) and LHP Brett Mooneyham (6-3, 4.14 ERA) are back to lead the weekend rotation.  The duo combined to make 22 starts last year as freshmen.

Gerhart’s Gone:  Two-sport sensation Toby Gerhart (.288, 7 HR, 36 RBIs, 7 SB) burst on the national scene on the football field in 2009.  He was the Heisman Trophy runner-up and won the Doak Walker Award after rushing for a school record 1,871 yards and 28 TDs.  Gerhart hit 16 home runs in three years with the Cardinal baseball team.  He was an outfield starter on the 2008 CWS squad.  He won’t play baseball this year as he prepares for the April NFL Draft.

Tough Tests:  Stanford opens the season by hosting a 3-game series with perennial power Rice.  They go to Austin, TX the next weekend for a 3-game set with 2009 national runner-up Texas.

UCLA

2009 Record:  (27-29, 15-12)

Mascot:  Bruins

Head Coach:  John Savage

Location:  Los Angeles, CA

Vitals:  .285 BA, 54 HR, 55 SB, .382 OBP, .969 Fld%…4.28 ERA, 5 CG, 12 SV, 509 K, 197 BB, .259 opp. BA

Power Outage:  UCLA loses its top two run producers, Cody Decker (.322, 21 HR, 53 RBIs) and Casey Haerther

(.305, 9 HR, 42 RBIs) from last year’s team.  Haerther was selected in the 5th round of last year’s MLB Draft by the Angels, while Decker was tabbed in the 22nd round by San Diego.

The Line-Up:  Justin Uribe (.318, 3 HR, 23 RBIs) and Blair Dunlap (.301, 7 HR, 39 RBIs, 15 SB) are the top hitters back in the Bruin batting order.  Uribe will move from the outfield to first base this year.  Junior college transfer Dean Espy will be expected to step-in at third base as well.

Bruin Pitching:  Sophomores Gerrit Cole (4-8, 3.49 ERA) and Trevor Bauer (9-3, 2.99 ERA, 4 CG) will lead the pitching rotation.  Bauer had pitched a  team-high of 105 1/3 IP last year.  Cole is a Preseason All-American who struckout 104 in 85 IP last year.  He pitched for the USA Collegiate National Team last summer.

Big 12 West:  UCLA plays five games against three Big 12 teams in 2010.  The Bruins host Oklahoma State in one of their three games in the Dodgertown Classic (Vanderbilt & USC are the other two opponents there).  They also host a 3-game series vs. Nebraska and play Oklahoma in their last game of the Whataburger College Classic in Corpus Christi, TX.

USC

2009 Record:  (28-28, 13-14)

Mascot:  Trojans

Head Coach:  Chad Kreuter

Location:  Los Angeles, CA

Vitals:  .274 BA, 41 HR, 58 SB, .359 OBP, .954 Fld%…4.06 ERA, 5 CG, 10 SV, 438 K, 231 BB, .259 opp. BA

Top Losses:  USC loses three players, Grant Green (.374, 4 HR, 32 RBIs, 16 SB), Brad Boxberger (6-3, 3.16 ERA) and Robert Stock (5-4, 2.90 ERA, 4 SV), who were taken in the first two rounds of last year’s MLB Draft.  Green went with the 13th overall pick to Oakland.

Returning Trojans:  Ricky Oropesa (.314, 13 HR, 48 RBIs) was named a Freshman All-American last year.  He and Mike O’Neill (.319) are the top returning players in the USC line-up.  Sophomore RHP Andrew Triggs (5-3, 3.96 ERA) is expected to be the staff’s #1 starter.  Fellow Soph. Chad Smith (3-4, 3.40 ERA) and Sr. Kevin Couture (3-3, 5.66 ERA) return as well.

New Faces In Many Places:  A total of 15 newcomers (7 transfers and 8 freshman) will look to contribute for USC in 2010.  One of them is redshirt sophomore Mike Greco, who hit .250 with 2 HR and 27 RBIs in 46 games as a freshman at Army.  He sat out last year after transferring and will battle for a spot at first base this year.

Washington

2009 Record:  (25-30, 13-14)

Mascot:  Huskies

Head Coach:  Lindsay Meggs

Location:  Seattle, WA

Vitals:  .265 BA, 64 HR, 42 SB, .357 OBP, .967 Fld%…4.88 ERA, 1 CG, 14 SV, 387 K, 194 BB, .276 opp. BA

New Skipper:  2010 will be Lindsay Meggs’ first season as head coach at Washington.  He arrives after three seasons at Indiana State.  Meggs was named the 2009 Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year after guiding the Sycamores to a 33-21 record and a second-place conference finish.  Prior to that Meggs spent 13 seasons at head coach at Chico State, where he won Division II National Championships in 1997 & 1999.

Draft Losses:  The Huskies lose their top run producer, Ryan Conley (.303, 19 HR, 55 RBIs), who was taken by St. Louis in the 7th round of last year’s draft.  Top reliever Brian Pearl (3.05 ERA, 8 SV) and starter Jason Erickson (5-4, 4.34 ERA) were both drafted and signed as well.

Husky Returns:  Pierce Rankin (.299, 6 HR, 26 RBIs) and Troy Scott (11 HR, 31 RBIs) are the top returnees in the line-up.  Sophomore Andrew Kittredge (4-5, 4.27 ERA, 3 SV, 7 starts) and LHP Geoff Brown (4-4, 5.01), who made 31 relief appearances, are among the top returning pitchers.

Big Home Slate:  Washington’s first nine home games are three 3-game series vs. 2008 National Champion Fresno State, perennial power Cal State Fullerton and intrastate rival Washington State.

Washington State

2009 Record:  (32-25, 19-8)

Mascot:  Cougars

Head Coach:  Donnie Marbut

Location:  Pullman, WA

Vitals:  .273 BA, 56 HR, 44 SB, .358 OBP, .971 Fld%…4.34 ERA, 1 CG, 15 SV, 453 K, 184 BB, .279 opp. BA

The Drought Is Over:  Last year’s NCAA Regional appearance was the first for the program since 1990.  The Cougars swept five series in 2009, including three in Pac 10 play.  All of the sweeps came on their home diamond, where they had just three series sweeps in the previous 11 seasons combined.

Leaving & Staying:  WSU loses its top three hitters, Alex Burg (.346, 7 HR), Jared Prince (.343, 7 HR) and Greg Lagreid (.332, 5 HR), from last year’s NCAA squad.  They return stolen base leader Garry Kuykendall (.299, 11 SB), Matt Argyropoulos (.277), Shea Vucinich (.230, team-high 40 runs), and Derek Jones, who hit a team-best 12

home runs despite just a .223 batting average.

On The Mound:  Junior Chad Arnold (8-3, 4.39 ERA) will lead the weekend rotation.  Arnold got the team’s only NCAA win with an elimination game victory vs. Wichita State in the Norman, OK Regional.  He’s joined by David Stilley (3-3, 4.64 ERA) and reliever Seth Harvey (2.25 ERA, 22 app.).  The Cougars lose starter Matt Way (8-4, 2.43 ERA) and closer Jeremy Johnson (6-2, 2.90 ERA, 10 SV).

Texas Time:  Washington State plays 12 of its first 18 games in the state of Texas.   After four games in Lubbock they return home for a 4-game set vs. Utah and then return to the Lone Star State for three games at Texas A&M and two games at Dallas Baptist.  They end their spring trip with a 3-game series in Wichita, KS vs. Wichita State.

2010 Pac 10 Conference Predictions

Player of the Year:  Kole Calhoun – Arizona State

Pitcher of the Year:  Sam Gaviglio – Oregon State

Conference Champion:  Arizona State, with Oregon State giving the closest challenge

Big South Baseball 2010 Preview

Can Anyone End Coastal Carolina’s Dominance?

2009 Regular Season Champion: Coastal Carolina

2009 Tournament Champion: Coastal Carolina defeated Winthrop 7-1 to win their 7^th Big South title in the past 9 yearsl

Coastal Carolina continued its dominance of this conference by once again sweeping the regular season and tournament championships, while making its 9^th straight NCAA tournament appearance.  The Chanticleers also saw 5 members of their squad garner All-American recognition, with three players named Freshman All-American.

Heading into the season all eyes are on Coastal Carolina again, as they begin this season ranked anywhere from 12^th to 17^th in the various preseason polls.  So the question is, can anyone contend with Coastal Carolina in 2010?

2010 Big South Preview

Charleston Southern

2009 Season: (16-37, 10-16)

Nickname: Buccaneers

Head Coach: Stuart Lake

Location: Charleston, SC

Vitals: .288 BA, 51 HR, .355 OBP, .961 Fld. %…7.00 ERA, 3 CG, 5 SVs, 316 K, 237 BB, .324 Opp. BA

Offensive Bounty: Charleston Southern returns 3 of their top 4 hitters from last year including top hitter Jr. 1B Nick Chinners (.339, 13 doubles, .408 OBP), So. UTL Patrick Dolan (.309, 8 HR, 35 RBI) and Sr. OF Scotty Radabaugh (.300, 51 H, 27 R).  They also welcome back their top power threat in Jr. OF Tyler Thornburg (.292, 12 HR, 49 RBI)

Double Duty: In addition to his power, Thornburg could be the top returning pitcher for CSU as well.  Last year, Thornburg went 4-4 with a 3.73 ERA and a SV in 16 appearances out of the pen.

Friendly Start: The Buccaneers play 12 of their first 13 games at home with the lone road trip coming against city rival the College of Charleston in Patriots Point, SC.

Coastal Carolina

2009 Season: (47-16, 21-5)

Nickname: Chanticleers

Head Coach: Gary Gilmore

Location: Conway, SC

Vitals: .329, 86 HR, .419 OBP, .968 Fld. %…4.04 ERA, 1 CG, 19 SVs, 456 K, 201 BB, .250 Opp. BA

These Guys are Good: Coastal Carolina earned its 9^th straight trip to the NCAA tournament and swept the

conference regular season and tournament championships while placing 5 players on the All-conference 1^st team.  They also appear to have the upper hand in accomplishing that feat again with 7 of 9 position starters and 8 pitchers back.

Big Returns: The Chanticleers will have to replace Big South Player of the Year David Anderson (.377, 21 HR, 82 RBI), but do have a wealth of talent back with the return of Sr. Adam Rice (.368, 20 doubles, 59 RBI) and preseason Big South Player of the Year Jr. Rico Noel (.315, 8 HR, 48 SB).  The pitching staff also brings back key guys, including 2009 Big South Pitcher of the Year Jr. LHP Cody Wheeler (10-1, 3.83 ERA, 1 CG, 98 K) and So. RHP Anthony Meo (9-2, 2.93 ERA, .233 Opp. BA)

Challenges Aplenty: The Chants have several tough games on their schedule this year.  Games against Virginia Tech, Kentucky, Wake Forest, UC-Irvine, NC State, Michigan, Clemson, North Carolina, and Virginia all dot the slate.

Gardner-Webb

2009 Season: (25-25, 13-14)

Nickname: Runnin’ Bulldogs

Head Coach: Rusty Stroupe

Location: Boiling Springs, NC

Vitals: .327 BA, 65 HR, .398 OBP, .964 Fld. %…6.57 ERA, 2 CG, 9 SVs, 247 K, 173 BB

Record Setting: The 2009 GW squad was the most prolific offensive team in nearly 40 years.. they set single season school records for team batting average (.327), HRs (65), slugging percentage (.512), and on-base percentage (.398).

Leaders Gone: The Bulldogs will have plenty of holes to fill this season as all four players earning All-Big South accolades have graduated.  3B Justin Loyd (.400, 20 doubles, 9 HR, 56 RBI) and OF Brock Miller (.373, 61 R, 37 SB) both earned 1^st team honors.  OF Daniel Cooke (.353, 7 HR, 47 RBI) was a 2^nd team selection, while OF Jonathan Ahearn (.327, 29 R, 8 doubles) garnered 3^rd team honors.  Ahearn was also named Big South Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

High Point

2009 Season: (21-32, 11-12)

Nickname: Panthers

Head Coach: Craig Cozart

Location: High Point, NC

Vitals: .317 BA, 22 HR, .401 OBP, .969 Fld. %…7.39 ERA, 8 SVs, 308 K, 226 BB, .345 Opp. BA

Prolific Pair of Panthers: High Point will miss the duo of Billy Alvino and Alfie Wheeler.  Both finished the season batting a team-leading .400.  Alvino collected 84 hits and Wheeler tallied 82 for the second and third most in a single season.  The pair also finished third and fourth, respectively, in career hits with 238 and 235.  The Panthers will also miss all-time career hit leader Jeff Cowan (.290, 60 H, 11 doubles) who finished his career with 268.

Pitching Holes: The Panthers graduate their best pitcher as well in Jeremy Berg (4-2, 1.88 ERA, 5 SVs) who was just 5 innings short of qualifying for the national ERA race.  His 1.88 ERA would have been 5^th best in the country.  This year, look for Jr. RHP Corey Swickle (2-2, 4.81, 2 SVs) and  Jr. RHP Spencer Andrews (1-0, 2.79 ERA, 7 APP) to log more time on the mound.

Home Presence: High Point could get off to a fast start.  18 of their first 21 games are at home, with their 3 road games still within North Carolina (UNC—Charlotte, North Carolina A&T, East Carolina).

Liberty

2009 Season: (33-21, 17-9)

Nickname: Flames

Head Coach: Jim Toman

Location: Lynchburg, VA

Vitals: .310 BA, 60 HR, .388 OBP, .974 Fld. %…5.27 ERA, 2 CG, 11 SVs, 390 K, 171 BB, .295 Opp. BA

Looking for More in ’10: The 33-wins last year marked the fifth straight season Liberty won 30 or more games, the

first time in program history.  Also, their 17 conference wins were the most ever recorded since joining the conference in 1992.

Youth Movement: The Flames currently have 14 freshman or sophomores on their roster.  Returning to lead the team is Freshman All-American Tyler Bream (.337, 8 HR, 57 RBI) and Jr. OF Doug Bream (.355, 6 HR, 33 RBI).  Tyler is the son of former Major League Sid Bream, who was an All-American at Liberty (1979-’81).  Doug Bream is Sid’s cousin.

Pitching Prowess: Liberty deals with the loss of All-Big South first teamer Shawn Teufel (9-2, 4.33 ERA, 72 K), but still return several top pitchers including Sr. RHP Mark Swanson (4-0, 2.79 ERA, 35 K), Sr. RHP Carter Browning (2-2, 3.94 ERA, 4 SVs), and Jr. LHP Steven Evans (7-2, 3.96 ERA, 2 CG, 1 SV).

Presbyterian

2009 Season: (13-38, 7-19)

Nickname: Blue Hose

Head Coach: Elton Pollock

Location: Clinton, SC

Vitals: .294 BA, 57 HR, .355 OBP, .965 Fld. %…8.54 ERA, 2 CG, 5 SVs, 263 K, 211 BB, .338 Opp. BA

New Kid on the Block: 2009 was Presbyterian’s first season in the Big South as they continued their transition to Division I.  While only winning 13 games, they did accomplish a couple of feats that will go down in the history books.  The Blue Hose defeated 19^th ranked Coastal Carolina on April 25^th to record their first ever win over a top-20 ranked team.  They also beat The Citadel for the first time in 81 years.

Holes to Fill: Presbyterian looks to improve in 2010, but will have to do so without it top two hitters from last year in Jared Combs (.332, 16 doubles, 8 HR, 51 RBI) and Cory Lyda (.330, 10 HR, 38 RBI).  Top pitcher Mitchell Odom (5-3, 4.94 ERA, 1 CG) also is gone.

Radford

2009 Season: (26-24, 16-9)

Nickname: Highlanders

Head Coach: Joe Raccuia

Location: Radford, VA

Vitals: .319 BA, 30 HR, .400 OBP, .966 Fld. %…6.24 ERA, 10 SVs, 279 K, 180 BB, .305 Opp. BA

Banner Year: 2009 saw Radford grab their first winning season since 2000, only their fifth in school history, while their 16 conference wins were also the second-most in school history.  Radford also won 10 games away from home, just the sixth time that has ever happened.

Key Players: The Highlanders lose top hitter Alex Gregory (.407, 10 HR, 42 RBI), who became the first Big South Player ever to hit .400 or better for three straight seasons.  Radford does, however, return Big South Freshman of the Year Jeff Kemp (.337, 5 HR, 13 SB) plus pitchers Aerik Taylor (5-4, 4.90 ERA, 41 K) and Jake Quigg (5-1, 4.36 ERA, 19 APP).

UNC Asheville

2009 Season: (9-42, 5-21)

Nickname: Bulldogs

Head Coach: Tom Smith

Location: Asheville, NC

Vitals: .261 BA, 27 HR, .325 OBP, .948 Fld. %…8.27 ERA, 3 CG, 3 SVs, 281 K, 223 BB, .351 Opp. BA

In Good Hands: Head Coach Tom Smith was inducted into the North Carolina Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame earlier this year.  Smith coached for 28 years at T.C. Roberson High School winning three state championships before retiring in 2006.  He joined UNC-Asheville in 2008 as a volunteer assistant, before being named head coach last July.

Need More Offense: First task for Smith is to upgrade their offense.  The Bulldogs hit just .261 as a team and lose top hitter Kevin Weidenbacher (.309, 64 H, 28 R).  They do return the only other player to hit over .300 last season in So. OF Cody Buch (.302, 7 doubles, HR), and their top slugger Jr. INF Mike Vaughn (.237, 7 HR, 28 RBI).

Unfriendly Start: UNC-Asheville may be in the South, but will hit the road for most of the first month.  The Bulldogs only have 2 home games in their first 18 contests.

VMI

2009 Season: (18-35, 10-15)

Nickname: Keydets

Head Coach: Marlin Ikenberry

Location: Lexington, VA

Vitals: .295 BA, 55 HR, .366 OBP, .953 Fld. %…6.48 ERA, 2 CG, 6 SVs, 371 K, 189 BB, .316 Opp. BA

Jordan Ballard

Offense Will Be Key: VMI returns 7 of 9 position starters from last year including leading hitter Sr. 1B Jordan Ballard (.366, 11 HR, 48 RBI), Jr. INF Sam Roberts (.335, 6 HR, 34 RBI), and Sr. 3B Tanner Biagini (.317, 9 HR, 35 RBI).  They will have to step up even further with the loss of 1^st team All-Big South performer A.J. Yoder (.349, 13 doubles, 11 SB).  Yoder’s 80 hits set a single-season team record.

Pitching Returns: While VMI their top starter Travis Smink (8-4, 4.33 ERA, 1 CG) and top closer Matt Edwards (3-6, 5.72 ERA, 3 SVs), they welcome back 11 pitchers total including 3 that missed 2009 due to injury in Jr. Chris Duty (5-0, 1.95 ERA, 2 SVs, ‘08), So. Ryan Barefoot (1-1, 4.00 ERA, ’08) and So. Jason Farley (3-2, 2 SVs, ‘08).

Winthrop

2009 Season: (35-25, 18-9)

Nickname: Eagles

Head Coach: Joe Hudak

Location: Rock Hill, SC

Vitals: .323 BA, 55 HR, .394 OBP, .968 Fld. %…5.18 ERA, 1 CG, 14 SVs, 378 K, 197 BB, .291 Opp. BA

Tyler Mizenko

Eagle Soaring: Two Winthrop players have earned preseason honors was the Eagles look to return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006.  So. RHP Tyler Mizenko (2-4, 3.77 ERA, 14 SVs) is a 2^nd team All-American by the NCBWA.  The 14 saves by Mizenko set a school record.  Jr. C Eddie Rohan (.348, 14 HR, 53 RBI) was named a 3^rd team preseason All-American by Louisville Slugger.  Rohan was a 1^st team All-Big South performer last year as the primary DH.

Strong Arms: Pitching should be the strength of this year’s team as the Eagles bring back all 4 starting pitchers from a year ago.  The staff will be led by Jr. RHP Matteo D’Angelo (8-3, 3.09 ERA, 60 K) and Jr. RHP Wade Newman (7-4, 5.42 ERA, 55 K).

Starting Off Well: Winthrop should have a chance to get off to a good start.  They will play 20 of their first 25 games at home.  The first road trip does feature tough contests against Wake Forest and Texas A&M.

2010 Predictions

2010 Champion: Coastal Carolina

2010 Player of the Year: Rico Noel—Coastal Carolina

2010 Pitcher of the Year: Cody Wheeler—Coastal Carolina

(By Collegebaseball360.com contributor Shawn Lewallen)

Mountain West Conference 2010 Baseball Preview

MWC Looks To Have Tight Race In 2010

2009 Regular Season Champion:  TCU

2009 Tournament Champion:  Utah beat San Diego State 9-3 in the championship game.

Last season proved to be an historic one for Mountain West Conference baseball.  For the first time ever the conference received three bids to the NCAA Tournament when Utah, San Diego State and TCU were all tabbed.  Utah was the #6 seed at the conference tournament and earned its berth after first eliminating TCU and then beating the Aztecs in the title game.  San Diego State’s Stephen Strasburg also became the first MWC player ever taken with the first overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft when he was picked by the Washington Nationals last June.

2010 Mountain West Conference Preview

Air Force

2009 Record:  (14-37, 3-18)

Mascot:  Falcons

Head Coach:  Mike Hutcheon

Location:  U.S. Air Force Academy/Colorado Springs, CO

Vitals:  .291 BA, 57 HR, 68 SB, .365 OBP, .955 Fld%…8.34 ERA, 3 CG, 9 SV, 253 K, 153 BB, .369 opp. BA

Big Stick:  Senior DH/1B Matt Alexander (.383, 15 HR, 65 RBIs) was one of the top hitters in the MWC in 2009, and he’s back to lead the Falcons this season.  The preseason All-American was the conference RBI leader last year, while finishing second with his 15 HR and .710 slugging percentage.  He was also one of 16 semi-finalists for the Dick Howser Trophy.

Supporting Cast:  Fellow Senior Addison Gentry (.347, 9 HR, 40 RBIs, .575 slg%) provides protection in the order with some pop of his own.  Outfielders Ben Ausbun (.301, 6 HR) and Nathan Carter (7 HR, 15 SB) return as well.

Pitching Turnover:  The Falcons lose 8 of the 13 pitchers who toed the rubber in 2009, including team saves leader Aaron Kurcz (3-4, 7 SV).  Jake Petro and Casey Allen, who started 8 and 9 games, respectively, are also gone.  Senior RHP Alex Truesdale (2-9, 7.04 ERA), who had two of the staff’s complete games, is the top returnee.

Anchors Away:  Air Force plays a 3-game series vs. Navy in Savannah, GA Feb. 26-28.

BYU

2009 Record:  (30-24, 14-8)

Mascot:  Cougars

Head Coach:  Vance Law

Location:  Provo, UT

Vitals:  .310 BA, 57 HR, 98 SB, .388 OBP, .956 Fld%…5.45 ERA, 4 CG, 15 SV, 331 K, 239 BB, .295 opp. BA

BYU Bootcamp:  Members of the BYU baseball team were put through a two-day “boot camp” last fall by two Army Captains.  The 39 Cougars were taught the concepts of relying on each other through a series of drills and exercises designed to create better team unity.  The  players ate just a hard boiled egg and a hot dog on the first day of camp and then shared two granola bars and two packs of M & M’s on day two.  BYU coaches went through a similar two-day camp last August.

Line-Up Turnover:  BYU loses five players who each started at least 49 of 54 games last season.  Included in that group are Kent Walton (.377, 9 HR), Steve Parker (.361, 9 HR) and Stetson Banks (.348, 23 SB).  Walton and Parker were both drafted by the Oakland A’s, while Banks was selected by the L.A. Dodgers.  Senior OF Sean McNaughton (.290, 10 HR, 32 RBIs) is the team’s top returning overall hitter.

Perplexing Pitching:  Senior RHP Blake Torgerson (6-3, 5.66 ERA) is the only returnee of BYU’s top five pitchers from last season.  Marc Oslund (7-1, 2.49 ERA)  is serving a Church mission in North Carolina, starter Adam Miller (3-3, 4.04 ERA) is serving on mission in Mexico and Jeremy Toole (5-5, 5.77 ERA) was drafted by the San Francisco Giants.

The Family Law:  Senior 2B Andrew Law (.259, 18 SB) is the son of head coach Vance Law, who played both baseball & basketball at BYU before playing 10 Major League seasons for five teams.  The younger Law is the grandson of 1960 Cy Young winner Vernon Law (Pirates).  His brother, Tim, played baseball at BYU, and his uncles also played both baseball and basketball for the Cougars.

New Mexico

2009 Record:  (37-20, 15-8)

Mascot:  Lobos

Head Coach:  Ray Birmingham

Location:  Albuquerque, NM

Vitals:  .363 BA, 51 HR, 74 SB, .432 OBP, .976 Fld%…5.26 ERA, 1 CG, 12 SV, 394 K, 217 BB, .292 opp. BA

Rare Air:  New Mexico led the nation with its .363 team batting average and 47 triples in 2009.

Lobo Line-Up Lowdown:  Four Lobos hit above .400 last year and two of them, catcher Rafael Neda (.415, 7 HR, 49 RBIs, .629 slg%) and OF Ryan Honeycutt (.406, 6 HR, 53 RBIs), are back to lead the offense in 2010.  2009 MWC Player of the Year Mike Brownstein (.414, 11 triples, .611 slg%, 20 SB) and Kevin Atkinson (.400, 61 RBIs)  are both departed, as is Brian Cavazos-Galvez (.392, 15 HR, .737 slg%).   Australian Adam Courcha (.313, 30 starts) will assume a bigger role this year, as will Max Willett (.355, 46 RBIs, 12 SB)  and Justin Howard (.309, 6 HR, 41 RBIs).

Pitching Turnover:  Departed Friday starter John Hesketh (6-4, 3.45 ERA, 15 starts) was the only Lobo to make 10 or more starts last year, and closer Cole White (3-2, 2.33 ERA, 4 SV) is gone as well.  Reliever Gabe Aguilar (2-1, 1.98 ERA), who had the team’s best ERA as a freshman, will bolster the bullpen.  Rudy Jamarillo (4-2, 5.73 ERA) and Willy Kesler are expected to lead the weekend rotation, while hard throwing junior college transfers Mike Lachapelle (90 mph fastball) and Zach Cleveland (95 mph fastball) will look to make impacts as well.

Bring It On:  New Mexico’s only NCAA Tournament appearance was in 1962, but the lack of NCAA bids hasn’t kept Ray Birmingham from challenging his team.  The Lobos open the season with a 3-game series at 2009 College World Series runner-up Texas.  They play a 3-game set at USC March 5-7, two games at Arizona March 23 & 24 and two games at 2009 CWS team Arkansas in April.

San Diego State

2009 Record:  (41-24, 15-9)

Mascot:  Aztecs

Head Coach:  Tony Gwynn

Location:  San Diego, CA

Vitals:  .291 BA, 47 HR, 53 SB, .379 OBP, .974 Fld%…4.04 ERA, 4 CG, 24 SV, 571 K, 165 K, .264 opp. BA

Big Season:  San Diego State’s NCAA Regional berth last year was the program’s first since 1991.  Aztec head coach Tony Gwynn was still in the middle of his Hall of Fame MLB career in ‘91, while Stephen Strasburg was not quite 3 years old.  The 2009 Aztecs set a program record with their .974 fielding percentage.  SDSU was 1-2 at the Irvine Regional with losses to Virginia and Irvine.  It’s only win eliminated defending national champion Fresno State.

Big Shoes To Fill:  Strasburg (13-1, 1.32 ERA, 195 K) famously became the number one overall pick by the Washington Nationals in last year’s MLB Draft.  His ERA and strikeouts led the NCAA.  While he was the centerpiece of the Aztec pitching staff, he is not the only loss the staff has to overcome…

Depleted Pitching:  Fellow Starters Tyler Lavigne (8-2, 3.05 ERA) and Jon Berger (4-5, 5.83 ERA) are gone as well.  Those two and Strasburg combined for 26 of the team’s 41 wins, 353 of 571 strikeouts and all four of the staff’s complete games last season.  Closer Addison Reed (0.65 ERA, 20 SV) returns to lead the staff, but it will be up to a new set of faces to give him the save opportunities he had last year.

The Line-Up:  The Aztecs lose team triple crown winner Erik Castro (.382, 11 HR, 56), but return Cory Vaughn (.326, 10 HR, 51 RBIs) who finished second to Castro in the three key stats, while leading the team with 15 stolen bases.   Mitch Blackburn (.312), Pat Colwell (.300) and Ryan O’Sullivan are among other top returnees.  O’Sullivan hit 6 home runs and also won four games in 11 starts on the mound as a freshman.

Early Test:  SDSU opens the season by hosting a four-game series vs. 2009 NCAA Regional host Oklahoma.  OU closer Ryan Duke and Addison Reed are both on the NCBWA Preseason Stopper of the Year Watch List.

TCU

2009 Record:  (40-18, 15-5)

Mascot:  Horned Frogs

Head Coach:  Jim Schlossnagle

Location:  Ft. Worth, TX

Vitals:  .308 BA, 67 HR, 59 SB, .387 OBP, .969 Fld%…4.24 ERA, 1 CG, 15 SV, 404 K, 186 BB, .265 opp. BA

Super Season:  TCU had a season of first in 2009.  The Horned Frogs were a number one seed and hosted an NCAA Regiional for the first time in program history last year, and they didn’t waste the opportunity.  After going 3-0 vs.

Wright State (1) and Oregon State (2) TCU advanced to its first-ever Super Regional as well, falling two games to one in Austin, TX to eventual national runner-up Texas.

TCU Turnover:  The top three batters, Matt Vern (.360, 17 HR, 54 RBIs, 16 SB), Matt Carpenter (.333, 11 HR, 13 SB, 6 triples, 47 RBIs) and Chris Ellington (.331, 6 HR, 52 RBIs), are gone from last year’s Super Regional squad.  Seniors Matt Curry (.315) and Bryan Holaday (.300, 10 HR, 48 RBIs) and Sophomores Taylor Featherston (.322, 5 HR, 8 SB) and Jason Coats (.316, 6 HR) head the list of returnees who will have a chance to step into those roles.

The Great Equalizer:  TCU is loaded with returning pitching in 2001.  The Horned Frogs return their top four pitchers, Paul Gerrish (7-2, 3.84 ERA), Kyle Winkler (7-1, 4.15 ERA), Tyler Lockwood (4-2, 4.71 ERA), and Eric Marshall (2-2, 1.48 ERA, 9 SV), while losing just 3 of 13 pitchers who saw action last year.  Marshall is on the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List.  Winkler has been invited to the 2010 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Trials.

Tough Tests:  TCU plays its first 7 and 9 of its first 11 games of the season vs. 2009 NCAA Tournament teams, and just three of those games ( vs. Sam Houston State) are at home.  The Horned Frogs play at Baylor, at Cal State Fullerton (3) and single games vs. Rice and Missouri at the Minute Maid Classic in Houston in the season’s first three weeks.

UNLV

2009 Record:  (26-32, 9-15)

Mascot:  Rebels

Head Coach:  Buddy Gouldsmith

Location:  Las Vegas, NV

Vitals:  .329 BA, 49 HR, 56 SB, .395 OBP, .961 Fld%…6.89 ERA, 1 CG, 3 SV, 342 K, 242 BB, .318 opp. BA

Power Outage:  The Rebels lose four players, Jesse Wight (.345, 10 HR, 37 HR), Ryan Thornton (.327, 10 HR, 42 RBIs), 2B Bryan Resnick (.327, 7 HR, 35 RBIs), and SS Anthony Morel (.324, 3 HR, 44 RBIs) who combined to hit 30 of the team’s 49 home runs last year.  Resnick and Morel also formed the Rebel’s middle infield.  Top reliever Marc Baca (3-1, 4.05 ERA, 3 SV), who had the pitching staff’s best ERA, is gone as well.

Returning Rebels:  Senior outfielders Rance Roundy (.364, 3 HR, 32 RBIs) and Scott Berke (.329, 2 HR, 40 RBIs, 10 SB) is UNLV’s top returning hitters.  They’re joined by seniors Drew Beurlein (.407), Brian Gilbertson (.370) and Kyle Kretchmer (.329) who all look for for bigger roles this year after starting a combined 48 games in ‘09.  Sophomore RHP Tanner Peters (5-7, 4.90 ERA), who tied for the team-lead with his five wins last year, is the top returning Rebel hurler.

Northern Exposure:  The Rebels host four games each with Northern teams Columbia, Temple and Northwestern over the first month of the season.

Utah

2009 Record:  (28-31, 8-16)

Mascot:  Utes

Head Coach:  Bill Kinneberg

Location:  Salt Lake City, UT

Vitals:  .303 BA, 59 HR, 55 SB, .377 OBP, .964 Fld%…6.13 ERA, 0 CG, 11 SV, 421 K, 206 BB, .317 opp. BA

Cinderella Season:  Utah entered the 2009 Mountain West Conference Tournament as the #6 seed, but the Utes went 5-1 (including two wins over #1 seed TCU) to claim the program’s first ever MWC title.  With the championship came Utah’s first NCAA appearance since 1960.  The Utes were the #4 seed at the Fullerton Regional where they were 2-2 with wins over Georgia Southern and Gonzaga sandwiched between two losses to the host Titans.  Utah was the only sub-.500 team to qualify for the NCAA field last year.

USA Ute:  Head coach Bill Kinneberg will serve as one of the assistants on this year’s USA Collegiate Baseball National Team.  He was the pitching coach for the US National Team in 2007.  Fullerton head coach Dave Serrano

will serve as pitching coach this year.  The University of San Francisco’s Nino Giarratano is this year’s USA head coach.  Ed Blankmeyer of St. John’s is also on the staff.

Plenty Of Returnees:  Utah returns five of its top seven batters from last year’s NCAA team.  Senior Nick Kuroczko led the team in averge (.353), triples (9), slugging percentage (.558), and on-base percentage (.454).  Tyler Yagi (.343), HR & RBI leader C.J. Cron (.337, 11 HR, 58 RBIs), Devin Walker (.314, 8 HR), Michael Beltron (.309), Rick Cornu (8 HR), and Cooper Blanc (7 HR) are all back as well.  Cron received Freshman All-American status last year.

Why Not Whatcott:  Jordan Whatcott (5-3, 4.19 ERA) was 31st round pick by the L.A. Dodgers in last year’s draft, but opted to return for his senior year.  Whatcott’s return gives the Utes three of their top four starting pitchers back in 2010.  They do lose closer Greg Krause (3-4, 4.93 ERA, 4 SV).

So Long Salt Lake City:  Utah plays its first 18 games on the road with games in five different states.  California (vs. UC Davis), Texas (vs. Sam Houston State), Washington (vs. Washington State), Oregon (vs. Oregon State & Portland), and New Mexico (conference opener vs. UNM).

2010 Mountain West Conference Predictions

Player of the Year:  Rafael Neda – New Mexico (Darkhorse – Matt Alexander Air Force)

Pitcher of the Year:  Kyle Winkler – TCU

Conference Champion:  TCU – with New Mexico and Utah right behind them.

Sun Belt Conference 2010 Baseball Preview

Will The Sun Belt Race Go Down To The Wire Again?

2009 Regular Season Champion:  Middle Tennessee & Western Kentucky * MTSU and WKU shared the regular season crown based on their identical 21-8 league marks.  The Blue Raiders were the #1 seed at the Sun Belt Tournament, because they won their two head-to-head games vs. the Hilltoppers (game 3 of their series was rained-out).

2009 Tournament Champion: Middle Tennessee beat Louisiana-Monroe 3-1

Banner Year:  Middle Tennessee earned the Sun Belt Conference’s automatic NCAA Tournament bid by winning the league tournament in 2009.  Regular season co-champion Western Kentucky garnered the program’s first-ever at-large bid when it was picked for the Oxford, MS Regional.

On The Way Out:  The University of New Orleans recently announced that it will leave the Sun Belt Conference and the Division I ranks after the current season.  The program plans to begin the transition to Division III.

2010 Sun Belt Conference Preview

Arkansas State

2009 Record:  (23-30, 12-18)

Mascot:  Red Wolves

Head Coach:  Tommy Raffo

Location:  Jonesboro, AR

Vitals:  .296 BA, 34 HR, .393 OBP, .959 Fld%…5.67 ERA, 2 CG, 6 SV, 392 K, 215 BB, .282 opp. BA

Heart Of The Order:  Arkansas State loses three of its top five hitters, but the team’s 3 and 4 batters in the line-up, but Todd Baumgartner (.350, 8 HR, 53 RBIs, 13 SB) and Murray Watts (.305, 10 HR, 44 RBIs), both return.  One of those two led the Red Wolves in nearly every offensive category in 2009.  Watts is in his third season at his home town school after redshirting at Arkansas in 2007.  Leadoff man Cody Pace (.282)  is back for his senior season as well.

Pitching Questions:  The pitching staff loses its top three hurlers, Chris Bullington (2-3, 3.95 ERA), Chase Ware (5-3, 4.22 ERA) and Nick Lambert (4-1, 4.35 ERA), from a year ago.  Junior Andy Ferguson (5-5, 4.65 ERA) tied Ware for a team-high with five wins in ‘09.

Home Opportunities:  The Red Wolves host 2009 Sun Belt Co-Champs Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky as well as 2009 Super Regional host Ole Miss this season.

Hey Rookie:  Former big league pitcher Jim Morris is the team’s featured speaker at its preseason Grand Slam Banquet.  The movie “The Rookie” was based on Morris’ inspirational and non-traditional route to Major League Baseball.

Arkansas-Little Rock

2009 Record:  (16-34, 7-21)

Mascot:  Trojans

Head Coach:  Scott Norwood

Location:  Little Rock, AR

Vitals:  .274 BA, 51 HR, .380 OBP, .941 Fld%…7.14 ERA, 2 CG, 5 SV, 368 K, 250 BB, .314 opp. BA

Core Four:  The Trojans lose their top overall hitter, Matt Apfel (.325 12 HR, 41 RBIs), but they return four key regulars from last year’s line-up.   Nate Brown (.306, 7 HR, 42 RBIs), Tim Emmons (.292, 10 HR, 32 RBIs), Tyson Parks (.276, 6 HR, 34 RBIs), and Landis Wilson (.274, 2 HR, 25 RBIs) each started at least 44 of the team’s 50 games in 2009.

Trojan Turnover:  UALR has 29 players on its roster (including the four previously mentioned returnees) who began their college baseball careers at other schools (mostly junior colleges).  20 junior college transfers, including 2009 NJCCA All-Americans Cody Giles, Ryan Juris and Casey McCollum, are among 26 newcomers on this year’s roster.

Mound Experience:  Four of the pitching staff’s top five pitchers, Adam Champion (3-7, 5.60 ERA, 13 starts), Sean Potter (2-4, 6.07 ERA, 25 app/6 starts), Anthony Pryor (3-4, 6.99 ERA, 10 starts), and J.R. Boling (2-3, 3.53 ERA, 3 SV), are all back for the Trojans in 2001.  All four are seniors.

Tough Tests:  The Trojans make non-conference  mid-week road trips to four 2009 NCAA Tournament teams – Kansas, Oral Roberts, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss.  They also host Kansas on May 18.

Florida Atlantic

2009 Record:  (30-26, 12-17)

Mascot:  Owls

Head Coach:  John McCormack

Location:  Boca Raton, FL

Vitals:  .313 BA, 59 HR, .396 OBP, .965 Fld%…6.41 ERA, 1 CG, 14 SV, 354 K, 281 BB, .295 opp. BA

Balancing Act:  FAU had 12 batters who saw extensive duty in the line-up in 2009.  Seven of them hit between 6 and a team-leading 9 home runs and had between 32 and 52 RBIs (departed William Block led the team in both categories).  Junior SS Nick Delguidice (.321, 6 HR, 38 RBIs) is the only returnee from that group.

Something To Build On:  Nick Albaladejo (.373, 10 RBIs) started just 20 games as a freshman last year, but five of them were in the Owl’s last seven games.  The catcher finished his season by being named to the Sun Belt Conference All-Tournament Team.  He was 7 for 12 (.583) with four of his total 10 RBIs in three tournament games.  Albaladejo started just four of FAU’s first 23 games, but earned more playing time by hitting .308 in his opportunities.

Owl Arms:  Junior starter Mike Gipson (4-5, 5.93) is FAU’s top returning starter.  He had the staff’s only complete game and also earned a save last year.  Fellow junior Glen Troyanowski (4-3, 5.75 ERA, 6 SVs) is the top arm back in the bullpen.  Sophomore Hugh Adams (3-2, 3 SV) returns as well.

Big East Battles:  The Owls open the season by hosting a 3-game series vs. Big East member Cincinnati.  They also host Big East team Pittsburgh (March 10) and Rutgers (March 16 & 17) in 2010.

Florida International

2009 Record:  (34-22, 18-12)

Mascot:  Golden Panthers

Head Coach:  Turtle Thomas

Location:  Miami, FL

Vitals:  .325 BA, 82 HR, 65 SB, .410 OBP, .958 Fld%…5.74 ERA, 4 CG, 10 SV, 445 K, 167 BB, .297 opp. BA

Is That A Hole Or The Grand Canyon?:  FIU returns six of its top nine batters from last year’s team, but it loses one of the top power hitters in the country.  Tyler Townsend’s 24 home runs ranked 8th in the nation, his .434 batting average was 13th and he was 20th in the NCAA rankings with 77 RBIs.  He was taken by Baltimore in the third round of the 2009 MLB Draft.

Filling The Void:  Senior first baseman Tim Jobe (.364, 10 HR, 48 RBIs) heads the group of top returnees.  He’s joined by Mike Martinez (.335, 6 HR, 37 RBIs), Junior Arrojo (.316, 23 SB), Pablo Bermudez (.313), and Raiko Alfonso (.300).

Panther Pitching:  Two weekend starters, Scott Rembisz (6-3, 4.69 ERA) and LHP Corey Polizzano (4-3, 6.20 ERA), are back to bolster the FIU pitching staff.  Sophomore LHP R.J. Fondon (7-2, 5.05 ERA, 2 SV) and Jorge Marban (4 SV, 24 app.)are among the returning relief corps.

Golden Panthers Go West :  18 of FIU’s first 22 games are in the state of Florida.  The only exceptions are four are games vs. Utah Valley State, Cal-Riverside, Cal Poly, and Arizona State at the Coca Cola Classic March 4-7 in Surprise, AZ.

Louisiana-Lafayette

2009 Record:  (27-30-1, 14-15)

Mascot:  Ragin’ Cajuns

Head Coach:  Tony Robichaux

Location:  Lafayette, LA

Vitals:  .278 BA, 51 HR, 68 SB, .358 OBP, .968 Fld%…5.01 ERA, 2 CG, 12 SV, 374 K, 202 BB, .288 opp. BA

Ragin’ Cajun Returns:  The team brings back six position players from 2009, including 3 of 4 infield spots. Greg Fontenot (.329), RBI leader Chad Keefer (.282, 8 HR, 47 RBIs) and Kyle Olasin (.305, 10 SB) are the top returnees.  Travis Whipple (.329, 8 HR), Scott Hawkins (.303, 10 HR) and Les Smith (.284, 9 HR, 41 RBIs) are the line-up’s  biggest losses.

Returning Pitching:   Senior Zach Osborne (5-3, 3.44 ERA) who had both of the staff’s complete games as well as a save and  junior Michael Cook (5-3, 5.88 ERA) are the top starters to return.  The duo tied for the team lead in wins.  Senior Justin Robichaux (3-3, 1.98 ERA, 2 SV) started six games and came out of the pen11 times last year.  They lose LHP Greg Wilborn, who was drafted in the 18th round by the Dodgers.

Bayou Cookin’:  The Ragin Cajuns play 22 of their first 25 and 46 games overall in Louisiana this season.

Louisiana-Monroe

2009 Record:  (32-27, 12-17)

Mascot:  Warhawks

Head Coach:  Jeff Schexnaider

Location:  Monroe, Louisiana

Vitals:  .325 BA, 85 HR, 65 SB, .415 OPB, .965 Fld%…6.27 ERA, 6 CG, 10 SV, 338 K, 235 BB, .325 opp. BA

So Long Soignier:  ULM loses Ben Soignier, who  led the Warhawks in batting average (.376), doubles (22), RBIs (71), slg% (.628), and on-base percentage (.500) last year.  He also hit 11 HR.  Soignier was drafted in the 18th round by Florida last year after a stellar senior season.

Oh Canada:  Another key loss is OF Jon Prevost (.332, 15 HR, 52 RBIs).  The Montreal native was recently named to the Canadian Baseball Network’s 2009 All-Canadian College First Team.

Key Returns:  The Warhawks return four key contributors, Jordy Poche (.365), Perry Smith (.365), Boomer Blanchard (.351, 12 HR), and Matt Laird (.301, 10 HR, 55 RBIs), to this year’s line-up. Blanchard was named 2009 Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year.  Poche also started 12 games on the mound (2 wins).  Fellow starter Don Williams (6-2, 5.72 ERA, team-high 3 CG) also returns along with reliever Corey Brown (4-2, 3.46 ERA, SV).

Bring It On:  ULM opens the season with a 3-game series in Oxford, MS vs. 2009 Super Regional team Ole Miss.  They also face defending national champion LSU in Baton Rouge on March 9th.

Middle Tennessee State

2009 Record:  (44-18, 21-8)

Mascot:  Blue Raiders

Head Coach:  Steve Peterson

Location:  Murfreesboro, TN

Vitals:  .340 BA, 101 HR, .416 OBP, .969 Fld%…5.15 ERA, 5 CG, 16 SV, 392 K, 233 BB, .281 opp. BA

The Champ Is Here:  The defending conference champions are led by junior OF/P Bryce Brentz.  The reigning SBC Player of the Year led the nation in batting average (.465), home runs (28-T), and slugging % (.930), while his .535 on-base % ranked 4th nationally.  Brentz was also 5-3 with a 4.57 ERA and a complete game in 14 starts on the mound.

Supporting Cast:  MTSU returns five other tough outs in the line-up with Tyler Burnett (.344, 7 HR), Blake McDade (.340, 6 HR, 51 RBIs), Ben Darlington (.325, 7 HR), Stuart Meinhart (.324, 6 HR), and Drew Robertson (.312) all back.

Staff Ace:  Senior Kenneth Roberts (11-1, 3.04 ERA) is back to lead the pitching staff.  Brentz and senior Chad Edwards (8-2, 5.77 ERA) give the Blue Raiders a solid pitching rotation.

Key Losses:  Rawley Bishop (.398, 14 HR), Nathan Hines (.352, 11 HR, 73 RBIs) and closer Coty Woods (4-3, 1.62 ERA, 15 SV) were all drafted and signed professionally last summer.

SEC Challenge:  MTSU plays home-and-home series vs. in-state rivals Vanderbilt and Tennessee.

New Orleans

2009 Record:  (22-23, 12-18)

Mascot:  Privateers

Head Coach:  Bruce Peddie

Location:  New Orleans, LA

Vitals:  .291 BA, 54 HR, 60 SB, .370 OBP, .948 Fld%…7.76 ERA, 0 CG, 10 SV, 337 K, 220 BB, .312 opp. BA

Baseball Jones:  Sophomore OF Rodarrick Jones (.299,7 HR, 12 SB) was named the New York Collegiate Summer League’s #3 prospect by Baseball America.  In 41 games for Glen Falls last summer he hit .279 with 13 stolen bases and a team-high 25 RBIs.

Locked-In Line-Up:  Including Jones UNO returns its top six hitters for first year head coach Bruce Peddie.  Jr. Jay Morris (.362), Sr. Alan Harris (.344, 9 HR, 44 RBIs), Sr. Nick Schwaner (.332, 12 HR, 53 RBIs, 1.015 OPS), Jared Comarda (.306, 9 HR), and Ryan Eden (.270, 5 HR) combined with Jones to hit 44 of the Privateers’ 54 home runs in 2009.

Privateer Pitching:  UNO returns 12 of its 16 pitchers who saw action last year, including Soph. RHP Joe Zimmerman (3-4, 6.04 ERA, 13 starts) and Jr. RHP Cory Myers (2-8, 9.31 ERA, 11 starts), who were the only hurlers on the staff to reach double digit starts.  The biggest loss is reliever David Burch (2-0, 3.26 ERA, 9 SV).

South Alabama

2009 Record:  (25-30, 13-16)

Mascot:  Jaguars

Head Coach:  Steve Kittrell

Location:  Mobile, AL

Vitals:  .328 BA, 37 HR, .394 OBP, .966 Fld%…6.70 ERA, 1 CG, 10 SV, 387 K, 226 BB, .314 opp. BA

Two Sport Milestone:  Freshman Eddy Cabrera is also a member of the USA football team.  2009 was  South Alabama’s first season of college football, which makes Cabrera the first player in the 45-year history of the USA baseball program to play both  football and baseball.  The defensive back played in five games last fall and ranked third on the team with two interceptions.

Pitching Questions:  The Jaguars lose three of their top starters, Brandon Sage (3-6, 4.64 ERA), Matt Jackson (5-4, 5.33 ERA) and Miles Ethridge (4-4, 7.38 ERA), who combined to make 35 of the team’s 55 starts last year.  They do return their most versatile pitcher, Lance Baxter (3-3, 3.74 ERA).  The senior southpaw made seven starts and also led the staff with 6 saves.

No Doss:  The Jaguars lose one of the most prolific hitters in program history, David Doss.  The catcher Leaves South Alabama as the Jags’ all-time leader in career hits (312), doubles (70), RBI (197) and at-bats (851).  He hit .378 with 12 HR and 59 RBIs last year before being drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Solid Returns:  USA does return a quartet of solid hitters from last year’s team.  OF Adam Heisler led the Jags with a .309 average while stealing 16 bases,  Jake Overstreet hit .336 with 18 doubles and 4 HR, Clint Reynolds hit .328 with a team-high 18 stolen bases, and INF Zach Grichor hit .306.

Troy

2009 Record:  (33-23, 18-10)

Mascot:  Trojans

Head Coach:  Bobby Pierce

Location:  Troy, AL

Vitals:  .309 BA, 67 HR, .392 OBP, .970 Fld%…6.32 ERA, 0 CG, 13 SV, 382 K, 234 BB, .299 opp. BA

En-masse Experience:  Troy returns 13 seniors, of which 9 are position players.  Eight of those nine have been starters at some point in their first three years.  The team’s top two hitters from 2009, OF Miles Hoyle (.350, 9 HR, 35 RBIs) and 1B Ryan Ditthardt (.327, 7 HR, 54 RBIs) along with OF Chad Watson, (.317, 6 HR, 10 SB) are included in the veteran group.

Significant Losses:  Gold Glove third baseman Brett Henry (.314, 7 HR, 42 RBIs) and team home run leader Trevor Tyre (.324, 11 HR, 36 RBIs) are the two biggest holes to fill in the Trojan line-up.  The pitching staff also loses starters Jason Walls (4-4, 4.73 ERA) and Travis Burge (6-2, 5.47 ERA) as well as closer Chris Sorce (2-1, 3.26 ERA, 5 SV).   Sophomore Tyler Ray (7-3, 4.60 ERA) is the only returning weekend starter.  His seven wins and 62 strikeouts led the Trojans.

CWS Challenge:  Troy plays four games vs. 2009 College World Series teams.  They play a 3-game series at Arkansas Feb. 26-28 as well as one game at Southern Mississippi on March 10th.

Western Kentucky

2009 Record:  (42-20, 21-8)

Mascot:  Hilltoppers

Head Coach:  Chris Finwood

Location:  Bowling Green, KY

Vitals:  .330 BA, 88 HR, .423 OBP, .982 Fld%…5.47 ERA, 1 CG, 19 SV, 450 K, 216 BB, .282 opp. BA

Historic Hilltoppers:  WKU’s share of the Sun Belt Conference regular season crown in 2009 was a program first.  The team also advanced to its first-ever NCAA Regional championship game before falling to Ole Miss.  Their at-large bid was also a first for the program.

No Net Gains:  The Hilltoppers have two huge holes to fill in the middle of their line-up this year.  Wade Gaynor (.371, 25 HR, 78 RBIs, 21 SB) was drafted in the 3rd round by Detroit last year with the 89th overall pick.  The highest draft pick in the Hilltoppers’ 90-year history is also the first WKU player to hit 20 HR and steal 20 bases in the same season.  Chad Cregar (.325, 19 HR, 63 RBIs, 19 SB) was drafted by Florida.  The team also loses 2009 Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year Matt Hightower (7-3, 4.01 ERA), who also hit .300 with 11 HR and 53 RBIs.

Key Returns:  Western Kentucky does return a slew of key players.  Junior catcher Matt Rice is a preseason All-American.  He’s joined in the line-up by Jake Wells Matt Payton and OF Kes Carter, who only started 24 games last year.   Starting pitchers Shane Cameron (5-2, 5.03 ERA) and Matt Ridings (8-2, 4.84 ERA) are back.  Ridings was drafted last June, but opted to return for his senior season.  Eight WKU pitchers combined for 19 saves last year.  Senior LHP Bart Carter (6-1, 6.00) led the staff with 4 saves.

2010 Sun Belt Conference Predictions

Player of the Year:  Bryce Brentz – Middle Tennessee State

Pitcher of the Year:   Kenneth Roberts – Middle Tennessee State

Sun Belt Champion:  Middle Tennessee State

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