PRINCETON, W.Va., Feb. 6, 2010—Defending WVIAC baseball champion Shepherd is the favorite to repeat in 2010, but the Rams will have plenty of competition as five other schools received first place votes in the league’s annual pre-season coaches’ poll.
The Rams garnered six votes to earn the favorite’s role for this spring’s conference title, while Southern Division archrivals West Virginia State and Concord grabbed two each. Davis & Elkins, Pitt Johnstown, and Seton Hill received one first place ballot apiece for the overall title.
Shepherd outpolled Seton Hill and Pitt Johnstown for the top spot in the Northern Division. West Virginia Wesleyan outpointed Davis & Elkins and Fairmont State in the Central Division poll. West Virginia State edged Concord for the pole position in the Southern Division race.
Shepherd (33-18, 13-3) has plenty of power at the corner infield spots in 3B/P Brian Collins (.389-16-53, 3-0, 1.93 ERA) and 1B Nathan Minnich (.376-11-52). OF Tyler Beard led the Rams with a .401 batting average and 54 runs scored last season. Kenny Reisinger (4-2, 8 SV, 2.18 ERA) is one of Division II’s top relievers. Pat Smith (7-3, 3.96 ERA) anchors the rotation.
Seton Hill (30-17, 11-5) is led by pre-season All-American catcher Pat Trettel (.343-15-47). 1B Mark Henry, 2B Dave McCarthy, OF J.R. Tenney, and OF Luke Pisarcik each swiped nine or more bases last season as SHU rolled up a WVIAC-best 91 steals. Josh Guthrie recorded a 3.21 earned run average in 42 innings in 2009. Reliever D.J. Cannon (3-2, 4 SV, 2.82 ERA) heads up the bullpen.
Pitt Johnstown (29-15, 9-7) returns seven position starters, but has 21 freshmen or sophomores on a 29-player roster. 2B Nick Barbera (.362-3-14) earned all-region mention. OF Drew Westover (.311-3-25) looks to have a breakout sophomore campaign. Kaleb Fleck (6-2, 2.61) is expected to be one of the top starters in the WVIAC after fanning 55 hitters in 48.1 innings last season.
Northern Panhandle rivals West Liberty (9-32, 4-12) and Wheeling Jesuit (6-33, 3-13) look to surprise and move into Northern Division contention.
West Virginia Wesleyan (21-21, 9-7) has one of the region’s top hurlers in Cy Mozingo (7-1, 3.30 ERA). INF Matt Coker (.379-3-38) and OF Cory Flickinger (.359-5-33) pace the Bobcat offense.
Davis & Elkins (24-31, 9-7) welcomes back their winningest pitchers from 2009 in Zach McElroy (5-6, 4.98 ERA) and Josh Haun (6-2, 6.34 ERA). Closer Ryan Flanagan had ten saves and a 2.57 ERA. DH/OF Brock Watson (.372-2-43) and C Caigan O’Callahan (.360-3-44) anchor the Senator lineup
Fairmont State (16-24, 9-5) will try defend their Central Division title with only one senior on the roster. OF Andy Leach (.318-4-19) is one of only two returning starters in the batting order.
2B Mark Ruiz (.433-0-26) and 3B Ronnie Whitt (.333-7-49) are among the key returnees for new Alderson-Broaddus (29-11, 8-6) head coach Bill Barr.
Salem International (4-41, 3-13) returns seven starters and head coach Tanner Hill is optimistic about his recruiting class.
West Virginia State (33-15, 14-2) welcomes back back the big bats of OF Bo Darby (.383-20-63) and 3B Joey Jobst (.425-2-26). SP Ryne Holstine (6-1, 2.32 ERA) and RP Jake Kight (1-2, 7 SV, 2.31 ERA) provide the foundation of a strong mound staff.
Concord (27-15, 9-5) returns six players that earned some form of all-conference honors in 2009. SS/P Donovan Huffer (.439-3-32, 6-2, 3.50 ERA) and OF/P Brooks Cullen (.401-3-49, 6-2, 2.96 ERA) are among Division II’s top two-way players. OF Keith Morrisroe batted .437 during his rookie season. Trey Smith (5-4, 3.95 ERA) adds another veteran arm to the starting rotation.
Bluefield State (12-32, 7-9) head coach Geoff Hunter believes that his Big Blues could field one of their deepest and most experienced squads since the mid-1990’s.
Charleston (16-29, 5-9) looks for a big year from OF Andrew Armstrong (.347-1-26). The return of lefty Mike Morency from Tommy John surgery should bolster the Golden Eagle mound corps.
Ohio Valley (14-33, 3-13) hopes to return to Southern Division contention, four years removed from a WVIAC title. INF/C Justin Wharton (.331-3-29) is among the talent on hand for the Fighting Scots.
WVIAC divisional play begins the weekend of March 20. The top two squads in each of the three divisions advance to the May 6-9 WVIAC Tournament at Point Stadium in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
The complete 2010 WVIAC pre-season baseball coaches’ poll follows:
Overall Champion:
Shepherd 6, Concord 2, West Virginia State 2, Davis & Elkins 1, Pitt Johnstown 1, Seton Hill 1.
Northern Division:
1. Shepherd (9) 60, 2. Seton Hill (2) 49, 3. Pitt Johnstown (2) 47, 4. West Liberty 23, 5. Wheeling Jesuit 16.
Central Division:
1. West Virginia Wesleyan (5) 42, 2. Davis & Elkins (4) 36, 3. Fairmont State (2) 31, 4. Alderson-Broaddus (2) 24.
NOTE: Salem International is not eligible for the 2010 WVIAC or Central Division titles.
Southern Division:
1. West Virginia State (9) 61, 2. Concord (4) 56, 3. Charleston 31, 4. Bluefield State, 5. Ohio Valley 18.
