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Leaves Post As ODU Head Coach…

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina has announced the hiring of Jerry Meyers as assistant head coach for the baseball team. Meyers, who served as an assistant at South Carolina from the 1997-2004 seasons, returns to Carolina to coach the pitchers following six years as head coach at Old Dominion.

Jerry Meyers

“It is great to welcome back Coach Meyers to the Gamecock baseball program,” said South Carolina head coach Ray Tanner. “Coach Meyers was with me at the beginning of my tenure at South Carolina, through the first eight years that included three College World Series appearances. I’m excited to have him returning to lead our pitching staff. His wife, Chris, and daughters, Audrey and Riley, are very much a part of our family and we are ecstatic to have them back.”

Meyers helped turn around the Old Dominion baseball program in his previous six seasons (2005-10) leading the Monarchs to the top of the Colonial Athletic Association including a co-regular season championship in 2007 and the top seed at the CAA Tournament. That 2007 squad featured the top pitching staff in the CAA with a 3.97 ERA and 471 strikeouts. In his second year at ODU in 2006, the school enjoyed one of the nation’s biggest improvements with the squad compiling a 39-17 overall record and finishing second in the CAA. That season ODU climbed back into the national top 15 for the first time since the mid 1980s. Meyers earned CAA Coach of the Year honors with four of his players selected in the MLB draft and the team breaking or tying eight school and individual records. He compiled a 167-158 record during his tenure with the Monarchs.

Meyers also served one summer on the staff of the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team that won a gold medal in the 2008 FISU World Championships in Europe and finished the summer with a 24-0 record and an impressive 0.88 earned run average. Among the pitchers he worked with that summer included current MLB pitchers Stephen Strasburg (Washington Nationals) and Mike Leake (Cincinnati Reds). Along with an earned run average under one, his staff also struck out 268 batters to just 72 walks in 224 innings pitched with opponents batting just .154 as well.

“I’m thrilled to be back in the Gamecock family,” said Jerry Meyers. “When the opportunity presented itself to rejoin this program, I couldn’t say no. My family and I have deep roots in Columbia and it’s wonderful to be part of this great community once again. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with Coach Tanner. He is the best baseball coach in the country, leading the best baseball program in the country, with the best fans. I’m looking forward to working alongside him, Coach Holbrook and Coach Esposito to compete for many more championships. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and go to work.”

“I had a great experience in my time as head coach at Old Dominion,” added Meyers. “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the people at Old Dominion – the staff, the players, the fans, the administration. It was an invaluable experience and I am very much indebted to them. It allowed me to be me even more prepared as I step back onto the campus here at South Carolina.”

Meyers joined Ray Tanner in Columbia in the summer of 1996 after Tanner was announced as the school’s new head coach. In eight seasons with the Gamecocks, Meyers built one of the top pitching staffs in the country and coached 10 All-American pitchers along the way. The Gamecocks reached the NCAA Tournament in six of eight seasons while Meyers was here along with a national runner-up finish (2002) three College World Series appearances (2002, 2003, 2004), two Southeastern Conference championships (2000, 2002), four SEC Eastern Division titles (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003) and one SEC Tournament title (2004).

Among the stars that learned under the helm of Meyers was Kip Bouknight (1998-01), who garnered National Player of the Year honors in 2000 along with the Golden Spikes Award, presented by USA Baseball to the top amateur player in the country. Bouknight put together one of the greatest single-season years in college history in 2000 posting a 17-1 record to help lead the Gamecocks to a 56-10 record and an SEC Championship. His 17 single-season wins is a school record and is tied for the most wins in a season by an SEC pitcher. Bouknight joined with Peter Bauer and Scott Barber to form the “Killer B’s,” a dominant trio that saw all three pitchers earn All-America recognition. The 2000 pitching staff posted a 3.51 team ERA.

In 2001, the Gamecocks again had one of the top pitching staffs in the country with the group finishing with a 3.41 team ERA. The squad featured All-America closer Lee Gronkiewicz, as well as a pair of 10-game winners in Bouknight and left-hander Gary Bell. That year, Bouknight rewrote the record book at South Carolina as the winningest pitcher in school history, compiling a career record of 45-12 in a four-year span, also setting a school records for strikeouts (457) and decisions (57).

When the Gamecocks returned to Omaha in 2002 to play for a national title, the pitchers were right at the forefront – chief among them was right-hander Blake Taylor, who set a school record and led the nation in saves with 21 on the year on his way to All-America honors. The 2003 staff was another star-studded group that reached the College World Series and led the SEC with a 3.57 ERA. The staff featured David Marchbanks, who tallied a 15-3 record and was named Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year in addition to All-America honors. Marchbanks was one of three USC pitchers drafted and signed by professional baseball in 2003. Steven Bondurant signed with Oakland and Chris Hernandez with Pittsburgh. In Meyers final season at Carolina in 2004, the Gamecocks made a third straight trip to Omaha with the pitchers putting together a 3.40 team ERA, the school’s best earned run average in the last 28 seasons. Left-hander Matt Campbell was a first round MLB draft selection by the Royals with right-hander Billy Buckner selected in the second round by the Royals and right-hander Chad Blackwell also a sixth round choice by Kansas City. Blackwell became the Gamecocks’ fourth reliever in five seasons to pick up All-America honors as he led the nation in saves with 20 with right-hander Aaron Rawl also picking up All-America accolades with a 13-4 overall record.

Meyers came to Carolina after one year at Old Dominion as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Prior to his first stint at ODU, Meyers spent four years as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington where he worked with pitchers and catchers. The 1995 Seahawk staff ranked 11th nationally in earned run average at 3.37 with two pitchers ranked among the nation’s top 15 in strikeouts per nine innings.

Meyers also coached at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla., 1989-91 (ranked 4th nationally in 1989) where several pitchers went on to sign professionally or with Division I schools including Tim Davis (Seattle Mariners) and former Gamecock pitcher Scott Pace. Meyers managed the 1994 Winchester, Va., team in the Shenandoah Valley league to a second place finish. He is also a popular clinician and has worked camps at a number of institutions.

He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of South Alabama from 1988-89. Born Jerald Ray Meyers March 8, 1965 in Harvey, Ill., Meyers grew up in Chesterton, Ind., where he attended Chesterton High School, earning four letters in baseball and basketball. He was a second team all-state selection in basketball.

Meyers was a four-year starting pitcher at Iowa State University where he was named to the All-Big Eight Conference team as a senior. He was the team captain as a junior and senior and was named the team’s Most Valuable pitcher his senior year.

Meyers received a bachelor of business administration degree in management from Iowa State and the master of education in physical education from South Alabama in 1989 with an emphasis in exercise and movement technology. Meyers and his wife, Chris, have two daughters, Jaye Riley born July 31, 1999, and Audrey Reese, born December 31, 2001.

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QUOTES FROM INTRODUCTORY PRESS CONFERENCE

Head Coach Ray Tanner
A few weeks ago, when it was apparent that we were going to need a new pitching coach, I immediately picked up the phone and called my friend and colleague, Jerry Meyers, to gauge his interest. He didn’t say `yes’ right away, so I continued to talk really fast, and I told him it was time to come home. His two children were born in Columbia, and he made three trips to the College World Series, among other things. And so I hung up before he could say too much and told him I would be in touch – quite often. I proceeded to go through the process and visited with some other people, but we continued to have dialogue. Our chief recruiter, coach Chad Holbrook, got involved, he put his two cents in and stayed in touch as well. In the end, it all worked out that we got Coach Meyers to come back and be a part of this program once again. Eight years he was here with us, we did a lot of tremendous things. He had a lot of success at Old Dominion, he was on the USA coaching staff, he was Coach of the Year in the (Colonial Athletic Association). Certainly, resume-wise, he’s got to be one of the top pitching coaches in the country. I’m ecstatic, I’m delighted, to now have him back in the Carolina family. He will now be the assistant head coach, he’ll have his hand in on the pitching staff, and we’re just excited to have him back. We’re delighted to have him back in our family, and we look forward to great things in the future.
Assistant Head Coach Jerry Meyers
First of all, it’s a tremendous honor to have Coach Tanner make that kind of phone call and to have me in mind. I think a lot of it goes back to the eight best years, not only in my coaching career, but in our lives with our two daughters being born here, and my wife and I being so well-received the first time we were here. When Coach Tanner calls, you’re going to listen long and hard to what he has to say. I’ve always had an affection for the program, the area and the media, and we’re excited to get back and have this opportunity. The way we were treated here the first time is the main thing. The people we were surrounded by, all the help that we got in trying to make that move the first time… Lot of tremendous memories. I guess the only thing I regret about taking the job this time is that I didn’t take it about six months ago and get to experience everything that’s happened. But our goal is going to be to do everything we can to hit the ground running and try to do my part to do the best I can to get us back to that situation again. A lot of things went into the decision, and it all comes down to what Coach Tanner’s done along the way for me and my family… It’s great to be back.

On how long it took to make the decision to return to Columbia…
To say I knew 100 percent that I would come back … I knew I wanted to come back at some point in time. But it’s all about timing and knowing that family-wise, career-wise, that it’s the best move to make. I’m one to make sure that I prioritize decision-making that way. Family is going to be toward the top, if not at the very top, of every decision that I make. The tradition here, and all that we have to offer here as a program, obviously was a good move in all ways that you can look at it.

On giving up a head coaching job to return as an assistant coach…
That’s a great question. Coach Tanner called, that’s why. The thing you have to keep in perspective, there’s a lot of opportunities. Being a head coach is being a head coach. We had a lot of positives going at Old Dominion, and some of those resources were going to continue to improve there with new leadership within the athletic department. It was as exciting a time to be at Old Dominion as any, and that’s what made it a little tougher. But it’s not all about being a head coach. I’d like to be here for quite some time. I’m not making this step to make another quick step out to another “better” position. I’ve not made a wrong move yet professionally, and this is not anything but the best move right now for us and, hopefully, for the program.

On working with the Gamecocks’ pitching staff…
I’m extremely excited about that. You make yourself a very good coach if you have very good players around you, and you don’t mess them up. We’re hopefully going to have an opportunity, just like we’ve had the last several years… Who’s not going to be interested that we’re going out there to recruit? A lot of things have to fall into place; we’re not going to get every player, every pitcher that we’re trying to recruit, but I think we’d have a chance at just about all of them.

On having big shoes to fill as Mark Calvi’s successor…
Absolutely. The ultimate level of success was the last game this program played. That being said, that’s why we do this. We love to play the game, we love to coach the game, we love to be in those settings. And that’s part of the reason that I’m back. The program’s been in those kinds of settings, those kinds of games… And I want to be back in that situation with this program, and I want to do everything I can to help it achieve that.

(South Carolina Release)

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Takes Over As Meyers Leaves For South Carolina…

Nate Goulet

Meyers compiled a 167-158 record at ODU in six seasons and was named the 2006 Colonial Athletic Association’s Coach of the Year.

DR. WOOD SELIG QUOTES

“I would like to thank Coach Meyers and his family for all they have accomplished during their six years at the helm of ODU baseball. Coach Meyers leaves our program in excellent position academically and in position to continue to compete for CAA championships which will always be our goal. Jerry is highly respected throughout the baseball community and I am truly sorry we were only able to work together for such a short stint. ODU had 14 baseball student athletes signed or drafted by MLB during the time Jerry guided our program which is a reflection of the talent level Jerry and his staff have been able to attract.”

“Given the timing of this announcement, rather than conduct a national search for a head coach as we prepare to start a new school year, I feel it is in the program’s best interest and in the best interest of our baseball student-athletes to elevate assistant coach Nate Goulet to head coach for an interim period of the 2010-11 season. This will allow for continuity within our program at this time which should benefit those who are returning as well as our incoming class. Coach Goulet has been part of the ODU baseball program for 5 years and has an excellent relationship with our student-athletes. We will begin an immediate search for an assistant coach with an extensive pitching background to ensure our pitchers are given every opportunity to further their development and command of that aspect of the game.”

“We have high aspirations for ODU baseball. We are about to begin construction on several projects to enhance the stadium, clubhouse, and offices which have been privately funded. We are making great strides on raising the necessary funds for an indoor batting complex that would also assist us in our goal to be a nationally ranked baseball program on a consistent basis. Following the 2010-11 season we will evaluate and make a determination at that time on a national search.”

Nate Goulet QUOTE

“It is an honor for me and my family to be named interim Head Coach here at Old Dominion University. I would like to thank President John Broderick and Athletic Director Dr. Wood Selig for giving me this opportunity. Our staff will work extremely hard to continue the foundation and tradition of this program that has been set by the coaches and players who have preceded us. With the incoming class along with the returning players we are looking forward to the coming season.”

Jerry Meyers QUOTE

“My family and I have really enjoyed our time at Old Dominion University. I deeply appreciate the opportunity I was given here six years ago. I will always be very thankful for the kindness and support given by many associated with the program. The future holds great things for ODU Baseball. Under the direction of Dr. Selig and President Broderick, there is not a better time to be a part of the University and ODU Athletics. ”

Nate Goulet BIO

Nate Goulet, a native of Nashua, NH, served Old Dominion University as an assistant coach for five years. He became the Monarchs recruiting coordinator in 2009. He also worked with the catchers and hitters.

Since his arrival, the team offense has increased in batting averages, doubles, walks, RBI’s, and slugging percentage. In 2006, ODU catchers threw out roughly 50% of base stealers and have also been able to handle one of the Colonial Athletic Association best pitching staffs.

During Goulet’s first two years with ODU, two catchers have signed professionally in Patrick Nichols with the Washington Nationals and Tyler Belcher with the Florida Marlins. Former catcher Joe Velleggia earned tournament MVP honors during his first summer in the Cal Ripkin Sr. Collegiate Baseball League, and was the selected in the 40th round of the 2010 Baseball draft. Goulet also helped guide the Monarchs to a second place finish in the 2006 regular season, along with a regular season championship in 2007.

Prior to coming to ODU, Goulet was the assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator at East Tennessee State University from 1999 – 2005. During his six years at ETSU, Goulet worked with hitters, infielders and catchers. He coached and recruited 13 players drafted into professional baseball, 14 All-Conference players, and also had 3 recruiting classes ranked top 50 nationally. Other accomplishments while at ETSU include a top 50 national ranking in team batting average and slugging percentage in each of his last three seasons, as well as, a top 65 national ranking in home runs per game. In 2005, ETSU ranked top 10 in the nation for home runs, doubles per game, and slugging percentage.

Goulet also had the privilege of coaching Caleb Moore, Louisville Sluggers Second-Team All-American, who led the nation with a .455 batting average and doubles per game (0.60) during the 2004 season.

Goulet also served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Delaware State University from 1998-1999. During that season, he helped lead the Hornets to the MEAC North Conference. Goulet coached the MEAC’s Player of the Year and that team broke numerous offensive records.

Goulet was a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Lincoln Memorial University in 1997-1998, where he worked with hitters and infielders, while also assisting with recruiting.

At LMU, Goulet earned all-conference honors as a shortstop, broke the single season homerun record, and helped lead the team to a No. 13 national ranking. He was voted team captain his senior year (LMU), as well as, his sophomore year, while attending Broward Community College in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Goulet earned a bachelors degree in kinesiology and health from LMU in 1997.

(ODU Release)

Will 2010 Conference Race Be As Close As 2009?

2009 Regular Season Champion:  George Mason

2009 Tournament Champ:  Georgia St. beat UNC Wilmington 12-10

Last year’s CAA regular season race was one of the closest in the history of the conference.  Just 1 1/2 games separated second place from eighth place in the final regular season standings.  In fact, five teams were vying for the final three spots in the 2009 CAA Tournament on the last day of the 2009 regular season.

2010 CAA Preview

Delaware

2009 Record:  (28-20, 11-10)

Mascot:  Blue Hens

Head Coach:  Jim Sherman

Location:  Newark, DE

Vitals:  .319 BA, 85 HR, .407 OBP, .962 Fld%…5.40 ERA, 6 CG, 5 SV, 341 K, 181 BB, .285 opp. BA

Into The Hall:  Head coach Jim Sherman was recently inducted into the Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame.  Sherman helped the Blue Hens to three NCAA Tournaments during his playing days from 1979-’82.  The outfielder set the program record with 46 career home runs.

Ryan Cuneo

Everyday Alonso:  Senior Carlos Alonso (.380, 37 RBIs, 20 doubles) reached base safely in each of the Blue Hen’s 48 games last year.  The third baseman is the first player to do so in Delaware program history.  Alonso also stole a team-high 12 bases.

Blue Hen Pop:  Another senior, Ryan Cuneo (.285, 17 HR, 56 RBIs), is back as well to provide the pop in the Delaware line-up.  He’ll have to help Delaware overcome the losses of Bill Merkler (.371, 17 HR) and Scott Shockley (10 HR).

On The Mound:  Rich O’Donald (5-4, 4.32 ERA, 3 CG) and Brian Rorick (4-3, 4.85 ERA, 3 CG) give the Blue Hens two-thirds of their weekend rotationn back from last year.  They combined for all six of the pitching staff’s six complete games.  They must replace Corey Crispell (5-4, 3.88 ERA) who had a team-best 3 saves.

George Mason

2009 Record:  (42-14, 19-5)

Mascot:  Patriots

Head Coach:  Bill Brown

Location:  Fairfax, VA

Vitals:  .321 BA, 82 HR, .401 OBP, .970 Fld%…4.45 ERA, 1 CG, 15 SV, 379 K, 164 BB, .275 opp. BA

Banner Year:  Head coach Bill Brown was named the ABCA East Region’s Coach of the Year in 2009 after leading his team to a school records for wins, home wins, winning percentage and home runs as well as an NCAA Tournament bid.  A school record six Patriots were also taken in the MLB Draft.

Lone Patriot:  George Mason had five players named First Team All-CAA last year, but RHP Kevin Crum (8-4, 4.64 ERA) is the only one back in 2010.

Big Shoes To Fill:  The Patriots lose their top three hitters, Chris Henderson (.413, 14 HR, 1.189 OPS), Scott Krieger (.372, 20 HR, 80 RBIs) and Justin Bour (.339, 17 HR, 66 RBIs), from last year’s team.  They also lose their top two relievers Ben Reade (3-1, 3.03 ERA) and Shawn Griffith (4-0, 3.05 ERA), who combined to make 51 appearances, and starter Mike Modica (11-2, 4.34 ERA) who tossed the staff’s only CG.

Georgia State

2009 Record:  (39-22, 12-9)

Mascot:  Panthers

Head Coach:  Greg Frady

Location:  Atlanta, GA

Vitals:  .310 BA, 74 HR, .403 OBP, .961 Fld%…5.44 ERA, 5 CG, 19 SV, 474K, 261 BB, .283 opp. BA

Good Times:  Georgia State set a school record with 39 wins last season en-route to winning the program’s first CAA Tournament championship.  The Panthers were 0-2 in the Atlanta (Georgia Tech) NCAA Regional.

Panthers On The Prowl:  Senior first baseman Bradley Logan (.309, 10 HR, 49 RBIs)  and pitchers Ryan Moore (7-2, 4.41 ERA) and Justin Malone (1-0, 1.35 ERA, 7 SVs) are the team’s top returnees.  Malone held opponents to a .216 average, and he didn’t allow a home run in 26 2/3 IP.  Five other pitchers who combined for seven more saves are

Mark Micowski

back as well.

Tough Losses:  The team’s top two runs producers from a year ago, Marc Mimeault (.398, 15 HR, 58 RBIs) and Derek Simmons (.316, 13 HR, 53 RBIs),  are gone.

Top Transfer:  Mark Micowski comes to the Panthers after the University of Vermont eliminated its baseball program after last season.  Micowski was named to the 2008 America East All-Rookie Team and earned 2nd Team America East Conference honors last year after hitting .365 with 28 stolen bases.  He set a Vermont single season record with 80 hits last year.

Raising The Bar:  After opening last season by hosting four games vs. Cleveland State the Panthers will open 2010 with a 3-game series in Tallahassee, FL vs. Florida State.

Hofstra

2009 Record:  (11-32, 6-18)

Mascot:  Pride

Head Coach:  Patrick Anderson

Location:  Hempstead, NY

Vitals:  .294 BA, 20 HR, .383 OBP, .958 Fld%…9.78 ERA, 1 CG, 3 SV, 218 K, 181 BB, .375 opp. BA

Tight Pen:  Hostra used just 10 pitchers last season.  Nine of them made at least 14 appearances and pitched at least 14 2/3 innings.

Slight Returns:  The Pride loses three of its top four batters from last year.  Mark Stuckless (.392), Chris Mentrasti (.323) and Tom Legregni (.308) combined to steal 47 bases in 2009.  Matt Prokopowicz (.344, 3 HR, 30 RBIS, 4 SB) is the team’s top returning hitter.  Junior RHP Jeff Guthridge (4-2, 4.38 ERA) returns as well.  He was the only Hofstra pitcher with a winning record last year.

ACC Challenge:  Hofstra plays three games at Florida State Feb. 26-28 and then goes to Maryland for three games the following weekend.

James Madison

2009 Record:  (30-24, 12-11)

Mascot:  Dukes

Head Coach:  Spanky McFarland

Location:  Harrisonburg, VA

Vitals:  .330 BA, 75 HR, .410 OBP, .965 Fld%…6.84 ERA, 2 CG, 14 SV, 438 K, 233 BB, .300 opp. BA

Missed It By That Much:  The Dukes missed the CAA Tournament by percentage points last year, becoming the first

Trevor Knight

school in league history with a winning record to miss the tourney.

Knight Time:  JMU is led by CAA Preseason Player of the Year Trevor Knight.  The redshirt junior (he missed what would have been his freshman season in 2007 with injury) does a little of everything for the Dukes.  He hit .377 with 14 HR, 55 RBIs and a .641 slg% as a first baseman/DH.  Knight was also 3-2 on the mound with a 4.32 ERA in 41 2/3 IP.  He made 10 relief appearances and one start.

And Then Some:  Knight is one of eight returning JMU everyday position players.  The others include Matt Towsend, who hit .390 with 17 HR, 17 doubles and 17 SB, and 59 RBIs,  Matt Browning (.376, 9 HR, 59 RBIs),  David Herbek (.370, 10 HR, 50 RBIs, 20 doubles), Alex Foltz (.351),and  Mike Fabiaschi (.328).   Each of those six batters stole at least 13 bases to help the team total 108 swipes along with 75 HR last year.

And Some Pitching:  Starter Turner Phelps (8-2, 5.33 ERA) leads the rotation, while Kevin Munson (3-3, 2.85 ERA, 9 SVs) and his 95 mph fastball are back to close things out. JMU returns nine pitchers who compiled 87% of the team’s innings pitched last year.

Cape Kings:  Knight, Phelps and Munson were teammates with the Bourne Braves in the Cape Cod League last summer.  They teamed with the likes of East Carolina’s Kyle Roller to help Bourne win its first ever Cape championship.

Northeastern

2009 Record:  (28-25, 13-11)

Mascot:  Huskies

Head Coach:  Neil McPhee

Location:  Boston, MA

Vitals:  .288 BA, 50 HR, .352 OBP, .964 Fld&…4.60 ERA, 3 CG, 14 SV, 422 K, 200 BB, .286 opp. BA

Playing The Sox:   The Huskies are slated to face the Boston Red Sox on March 3  in Ft. Myers, FL.  It will be the seventh straight exhibition meeting with the MLB club.  The Red Sox haven’t allowed a Northeastern run since 2006, and have outscored the Huskies 73-2 since their first meeting in 2004.

Staying And Going:  Senior OF Frank Campagnone (.343, 19 RBIs) and soph. OF Matt Miller (.310, 21 RBIs) are the top returning hitters back from last year’s CAA Tournament team.  However, the Huskies lose their top run producers Mike Tamsin (.347, 45 RBIs), James Donaldson (.332, 12 HR, 43 RBIs) and Frank Pesanello (.281, 13 HR, 40 RBIs).

Strong Arms:  A pair of lefties are back from the Husky bullpen.  Senior Dan Zehr (2-3. 3.30 ERA) and soph. Andrew Leenhouts (1-1, 2.37 ERA) combined for 51 appearances and 10 saves last year.

His Own Glavine:  Northeastern assistant coach Mike Glavine is entering his fourth season on the Husky coaching staff this year.  The younger brother of Tom Glavine, Mike was inducted into the Northeastern Hall of Fame in 2006.  He had a 10-year professional career after hitting 28 home runs with 110 RBIs at Northeastern, which rank third and ninth, respectively, in the school record books.

Old Dominion

2009 Record:  (22-27, 13-11)

Mascot:  Monarchs

Head Coach:  Jerry Meyers

Location:  Norfolk, VA

Vitals:  .292 BA, 35 HR, .365 OBP, 75 SB, .972 Fld%…5.51 ERA, 7 CG, 5 SV, 275 K, 186 BB, .300 opp. BA

Jake McAloose

McAloose Is Loose:  Senior Jake McAloose is ODU’s only preseason All-CAA honoree.  The third baseman hit a team-best .413 with 6 home runs and 43 RBIs last year.  He also had an OPS of 1.111, while scoring a team-high 48 runs.  He’s joined in the line-up by Donnie Corsner (.323, 5 HR, 21 RBIs) and Josh Wright (.263, 11 HR, 49 RBIs).  Wright is a redshirt sophomore who made the CAA All-Rookie Team last year.

Two-Way Harris:  Sophomore RHP/OF Brett Harris (6-4, 4.95 ERA) led the Monarchs in wins last year, while racking-up five of the staff’s seven complete games.  Harris also hit .303 with 31 RBIs.

Action In The Pen:  Senior Chris Boggs (5-2, 3.20 ERA) had the staff’s best ERA and earned the second most wins in 2009.  He heads a group of three returners who each saved a game last year.  Boggs made six starts with 10 relief outings.

Towson

2009 Record:  (28-25, 12-12)

Mascot:  Tigers

Head Coach:  Mike Gottlieb

Location:  Towson, MD

Vitals:  .321 BA, 97 HR, .966 Fld%…7.67 ERA, 1 CG, 7 SV, 384 K, 250 BB

No Cream Puffs:  The Tigers play the most challenging schedule in school history this year, with six games against 2009 College World Series teams on the schedule.  Towson plays a four-game series at Arizona State Feb. 26-28 and finishes the month of March with two games at Virginia.

Key Returns:  Towson returns four of its top six batters from a team that set a school record with a .321 batting average last year.  Kevin Collins (.335, 14 HR, 56 RBIs, 11 SB) and Chris Wyshock (.310, 14 HR, 51 RBIs) lead the list of returnees.

Sizable Losses:  Gone are Gary Helmick (.430, 17 HR, 51 RBIs), Aaron Gabrielson (.307, 10 HR, 40 RBIs) and Jason Stifler (.266, 12 HR, 44 RBIs).

Nat’s Back:  Shortstop Nick Natoli returns after missing last season with a knee injury.  The junior was named CAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.  He also hit .349 that year, while earning 2nd team All-CAA honors.

On The Mound:  Towson’s top two starters, Drew Permison (3-2, 6.24 ERA) and Tyler Austin (3-1, 7.32 ERA), return.  Permison tossed the team’s only complete game last year.  They lose closer Josh Squatrito (5-2, 5.59 ERA, 7 SVs).

UNC Wilmington

2009 Record:  (31-23, 10-8)

Mascot:  Seahawks

Head Coach:  Mark Scalf

Location:  Wilmington, NC

Vitals:  .292 BA, 39 HR, .385 OBP, .966 Fld%…5.36 ERA, 0 CG, 15 SV, 379 K, 230 BB, .276 opp. BA

Cody Stanley

Returning In Droves:  The Seahawks return all eight starting position players from a year ago.  While they hit just 39 home runs in 2009 the players they return combined to hit 37 of those long balls.  Catcher Cody Stanley (.332, 12 HR, 56 RBIs, 1.033 OPS) and DH Robbie Monday (.277, 12 HR, 38 RBIs)  bring back the bulk of Wilmington’s power, and while Grayson Evans (.314) hit just 3 HR, he had almost as many doubles (21) as he had strikeouts (25).

Plus Pitching:  Several significant pitchers from last year’s team are back as well.  Daniel Cropper (5-2, 5.46 ERA) and Seth Frankoff (3-5, 5.76 ERA) were the team’s innings pitched leaders with 59 1/3 and 65 2/3, respectively.  Top relievers Bryan Booth (2-1, 3.31 ERA),  Tyler McSwain (2-1, 3.80 ERA) and and Steven Davis (5-2, 5.01 ERA) are back to carry the load in the bullpen.  They combined for 93 appearances and 13 of the team’s 15 saves.

Interesting Match-Up:  UNC Wilmington hosts a 3-game series with Rhode Island March 19-21.  The Rams just missed the NCAA Tournament last year.

VCU

2009 Record:  (20-26, 8-16)

Mascot:  Rams

Head Coach:  Paul Keyes

Location:  Richmond, VA

Vitals:  .299 BA, 23 HR, .380 OBP, .958 Fld%…6.40 ERA, 4 CG, 7 SV, 268 K, 164 BB, .302 opp. BA

Running Rams:  While VCU’s 23 home runs ranked second to last in the 11 team CAA last year, their 77 stolen bases were fourth best in the conference.  Senior outfielders Andrew Dimino (.323, 40 runs, .428 OBP), who led the CAA with 25 swipes, and Matt Leskiw (.343, 13 SB, .440 OBP) both return this year.

Solid Nucleus:  Dimino and Leskiw are among five of six VCU regulars who hit .301 or better in 2009, including  Joe Van Meter who led the team in batting average (.347) and doubles (13).  The Rams lose team home run leader Justin Wright (.327, 8 HR, 42 RBIs, .570 slg%).

William & Mary

2009 Record:  (24-25, 9-15)

Mascot:  Tribe

Head Coach:  Frank Leoni

Location:  Williamsburg, VA

Vitals:  .292 BA, 37 HR, .395 OBP, .950 Fld%…5.79 ERA, 1 CG, 6 SV, 347 K, 251 BB, .292 opp. BA

CWS Challenge:  William & Mary plays a combined five games vs. three 2009 College World Series teams.  They play three games at defending national champion LSU Feb. 26-28, one game at North Carolina on March 9 followed by a game at Virginia on March 16.

Gaping Hole:  The team’s top three hitters from a season ago, Tyler Stampone (.382, 5 HR, 40 RBIs), Rob Nickle (.351, 14 HR, 60 RBIs) and Jeff Jones (.347, 4 HR, 31 RBIs), are all gone.  the trio accounted for 43% of William & Mary’s RBIs and 62% of the team home run total last year.  Jones also stole a team-high 23 bases.  No other player had double digit swipes.

Returning Pitching:  Sophomore RHP Matt Davenport (6-2, 4.71 ERA) didn’t just lead the pitching staff in wins last year, he was also the only Tribe pitcher to sport a winning record.  Junior Logan Billbrough (3-3, 4.20 ERA, 3 SV)  returns as well.  His 24 appearances in 2009 were a team-high.

2010 CAA Predictions

CAA Champion: James Madison

Player of the Year: Trevor Knight – James Madison

Pitcher of the Year: Ryan Moore – Georgia State