Ohio Athletic Conference Preview: John Carroll
School: John Carroll University
Location: University Heights, Ohio
Head Coach: Marc Thibeault
2009 Record: 24-12, 11-7 OAC
Returning Starters: 3B Brian Benander, 2B Mike Carbo, SS John Hastings, 1B Tom Hickey, OF Tim O’Brien, OF Bryan Robinett, SP Chris Eggleton, SP Tony Evanko, SP Tom Schaberl, P Chris Koller
Expectations are high in University Heights as Marc Thibeault’s Blue Streaks are coming off their best season in years. Winning two thirds of their games in 2009, John Carroll posted their best overall winning percentage since 1985. With a host of everyday starters returning in 2010 JCU looks to build on their current streak of three straight winning campaigns in OAC play.
College Baseball Insider: Burkhart/Wimmers Feature; Big Ten Preview
The Big Ten does preseason honors on a sport-by-sport basis. In trying to see when one might expect the baseball preseason poll, as they were coming out around the country, I contacted the Big Ten. To my dismay baseball is a sport that does not do preseason honors. Lame.
Picking up the slack however is College Baseball Insider. In their season previews they contact eight of the 10 Big Ten coaches to get their thoughts on the conference’s top players. As one can expect Alex Wimmers, Dan Burkhart, Ryan Dew, and Michael Stephens are thought highly of in the Big Ten coaching circle.
2010 Season Preview: Akron
Contrary to what you might think by taking a peek out of your window, the collegiate baseball season is indeed right around the corner.
With February 19th being the opening day for Division I baseball, we take a look at the Akron Zips led by Coach Pat Bangtson in his fifth season. The Zips are looking to rebound from an 19-33 2009 campaign which saw them finish Fifth in the Mid-American Conference East Division at 12-15.
With six starters returning and a combined 14 upperclassmen, Akron is a dangerous team that can sneak up on preseason MAC-East favorites Bowling Green and Kent State.
Ohio Athletic Conference Preview: Heidelberg
School: Heidelberg University
Location: Tiffin, Ohio
Head Coach: Matt Palm
2009 Record: 37-9, 15-3 OAC
Returning Starters: 3B Willie Brechun, C Steve Decker, 2B Gar Keen, SS Jason Lash, IF Ricky Lizcano, SP Brian Koehl, P Andy Lowe, P Everett Thomas, P Elvin Williams, P Sylvester Nino
For the Heidelberg Student Princes the 2010 baseball season can’t get here fast enough. Ranked as high as 10th in preseason polls and coming off yet another trip to the Mideast Regional in 2009, Head Coach Matt Palm eyes a fourth straight OAC regular season title thanks to a talented group of returning starters. With All-Americans Gar Keen and Andy Lowe leading the way the Berg will be looking to raise the bar in 2010.
DI Top 20: #13 Sr. RHP Alex Kaminsky, Wright State
Player: Alex Kaminsky
Position: Pitcher
Year: Senior
School: Wright State
If this were a most underrated or underappreciated team, Alex Kaminsky would be #1. An anchor in the Wright State rotation, Kaminsky has dazzled in Horizon League play the past two seasons but has yet to garner any honors and subsequently respect around the league.
For us there is no mistaking the talent Kaminsky has. For Horizon League opponents, we’ll hold you in our thoughts. With a chip on his shoulder there is no telling how dominant Kaminsky can be in 2010. A startling thought when you consider how good he already was in 2009.
Ohio State’s Meet the Team Luncheon Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
Ohio State will have its annual Meet the Team Luncheon this upcoming Saturday, February 13th, at the University Plaza Hotel and Conference Center off Olentangy Rd.
Fans and media are like are welcomed to attend with registration beginning at 10:00 a.m., with the luncheon slated for an 11:30 a.m. start. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through the Ohio State baseball office at (614)-292-1075.
Ohio Athletic Conference Preview: Capital
School: Capital
Location: Bexley, Ohio
Head Coach: Ryan Grice
2009 Record: 12-26, 4-14 OAC
Returning Starters: C Zack Byers, CF Jeremy Meizlish, 3B Zach Rigney, 1B Ian Smith, SP Matt Uy
The 2007 OAC tournament runner-up finish seems like a distant memory right now. As Ryan Grice begins his tenure at Capital the Crusaders will turn to a strong core of juniors to lead a resurgence in Bexley. Will it be enough to right the ship following a last place finish in 2009? Capital fans certainly hope last season was a one year lull. Let’s take a closer look at the 2010 squad and see if we can figure it out.
Ohio Athletic Conference Preview: Baldwin Wallace
School: Baldwin Wallace
Location: Berea, Ohio
Head Coach: Bob Fisher
2009 Record: 19-19, 8-10 OAC
Returning Starters: 2B Matt Rollins, 3B Scott Nealon, OF Ted Cowling, OF Ben Stoper, SS Jim Martin, C Ryan Nordquist, SP Justin Novak, SP Scott Luthman
Long time Head Coach Bob Fisher has some serious holes to fill in Berea as we head into winter practice, but the cupboard is far from bare as the Jackets look to improve on their 19-19 effort in 2009.
DI Top 20: #14 Sr. 2B Jared Humphreys, Kent State
Courtesy KSU Athletics
Player: Jared Humphreys
Position: Second baseman
Year: Senior
School: Kent State
Seniority rules. At least so far on the Buckeye State Baseball DI Top 20 list. As we profile another elite in-state talent, Kent State second baseman Jared Humphreys is the fifth senior of the seven profiled players so far.
However, unlike the previous three, Humphreys is a native Buckeye. As he enters his redshirt-senior year, perhaps none on the list more than he values what it means to don the uniform of arguably the state’s premier program.
NCAC Preview Wrap: Turning Two with Wooster’s Groezinger & McDowell
Expect McDowell (left) and Groezinger to have more to celebrate about in 2010
As far as dynamic duos go, it’s hard to top these two.
With Justin McDowell being named Buckeye State Baseball’s DIII Preseason Pitcher of the Year and First baseman Matt Groezinger capturing the BSB Preseason Player of the Year honor, Wooster has a tandem ready to lead the Scots back to national glory.
As we conclude our week long coverage of North Coast Athletic Conference previews Buckeye State Baseball caught up with Groezinger and McDowell, getting their views on what Wooster needs to do to return to the NCAA Divison III Championships, who they idolized growing up, and who would win in a head-to-head battle at the plate?
With one being the straight-faced no non-sense guy, and the other being the lively practical joker, this is an odd couple Coach Pettorini wouldn’t trade for anyone. Read more »
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