By John McGraw for D3baseball.com

Previews: || New England || New York || Mid-Atlantic || South || Mideast || Central || Midwest || West ||

Our third preview takes a look at the teams competing in the New York Region. Follow D3baseball.com on Twitter for updates throughout the season.

Near the end of the movie, Casablanca, after Major Strasser has been shot, Captain Renault tells his policemen to "round up the usual suspects." In the New York region, the usual suspects of Cortland State, RPI and Ithaca have dominated the baseball landscape. And in the previous decade, six of the 10 World Series participants from New York were either Cortland State (five times) or RPI (once). The only New York teams to go to Wisconsin during that decade were Brockport State (2004) and Farmingdale State (2009).

Entering a new decade, we again round up the usual suspects as Cortland State and RPI appear to be the favorites to go to Appleton. While the Red Dragons will miss Minnesota Twins draft pick Matt Tone, a powerful offense along with a strong starting rotation should have the Red Dragons again rising to the top of the region. RPI has not gone to the World Series since 2002 though the Engineers have been one win away from Wisconsin in each of the last two years.

Ithaca hasn't missed the postseason since 1996 and the Bombers shouldn't this year however they do have some holes to fill in the line-up. Defending regional champion Farmingdale State played the role of spoiler last year on Long Island. The Rams return a talented group of veterans and have a 21-man incoming class that should have them in the running for another trip to the World Series.

While there are perennial favorites, two dark horse squads could be St. John Fisher and Oneonta State. The Cardinals bring back virtually everyone from last year's club that is only three years removed from its' first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. Oneonta should be Cortland's top challenger in the SUNYAC and will try to ride a veteran offense along with potential high draft-pick Dave Filak into the postseason. On whole however, the region is still looking for national prominence as it has been over 20 years since the Walnut and Bronze has gone to a New York school (Ithaca, 1988). The New York regional playoffs return to Falcon Park in Auburn, N.Y. after venturing down to Long Island in 2009. Of the six regionals held in Auburn, Cortland State has won five of them.

New Faces

John Foster, Lehman: The West Bronx, N.Y., school has tabbed former Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers hurler John Foster as its' new manager. Foster brings nearly 10 years of professional baseball experience to Lehman including 90 games at the Major League level with a career-high 62 appearances during the 2005 season for Atlanta. The new Lightning manager is in his first career coaching stint.

Steve Sosler, Mount St. Mary: Mount St. Mary didn't have to go far to find its' newest head coach. Steve Sosler, Mount's pitching coach for the last six seasons, was promoted to the head coaching position last June. Sosler won 16 games as a pitcher at Mount and was on the mound for the school's first NCAA tournament victory, a 6-1 triumph over Cortland State in 1999. The former Blue Knight has previous head coaching experience from the high school level. He takes over a team that won 27 games a year ago.

Brandon Potter, St. John Fisher: The former St. John Fisher backstop returns to Pittsford to helm the Cardinals as the team's interim head coach following the resignation of Dan Pepicelli. The former skipper left to become the pitching coach at Clemson University. Brandon Potter, a former Fisher grad assistant, has been an assistant coach at Minnesota State University and Cerro Coso (Calif.) Community College.

Gene Steinbach, SUNY Maritime: After assistant coaching stints at Molloy College and Adelphi University, the Brooklyn, N.Y., native has garnered his first head coaching position as the skipper of the Privateers. Greg Steinbach was a sixth-round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1981 Major League draft out of Georgia Southern University. He played professionally in the farm systems of the Dodgers and Cleveland Indians. The Throggs Neck, N.Y. school has had three different head coaches over the last four years.

Andrew Weimer, Utica: Utica, N.Y., native Andrew Weimer returns home to helm the Pioneers in 2009. The 15th round pick of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 2003 Major League Baseball draft pitched professionally for seven seasons while also spending time as an assistant coach at nearby Mohawk Valley Community College. Weimer has his work cut out for him, taking over a squad that has not won more than five games since longtime head coach Don Guido retired following the 2006 season.

City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC): A five-team line-up awaits the CUNYAC in 2009 with the departure of Mitchell to the newly formed New England Collegiate Conference. The 2010 race for the title of top team in the five boroughs looks to come down to defending champion Baruch and the Staten Island. At the outset, the Bearcats should be the favorites with the core of last year's title team back headed up by conference tournament MVP David Chestnut (.400, 32 RBI; 5-2, 2.36 ERA, 5 CG), Daniel Brudie (5-2, 3.40 ERA), Thomas Daly (.324, 1 HR, 33 RBI) and Marcos Mejia (5 HR, 25 RBI, 18 SB). However, the task at hand will be to replace the offensive production of graduated CUNYAC Player of the Year Jorge Rosado (.465, 70 R, 36 RBI, 34 SB). The Dolphins of Staten Island have offense, in reigning CUNYAC Rookie of the Year Henry Roman (.393, 23 RBI, 13 SB) and all-league choices Steve Hession (.346, 22 RBI, 17 SB), Patrick Gale (.338, 42 RBI) and Tom DiPietro (6 HR, 24 RBI). Head coach Mike Mauro, the 2009 CUNYAC Coach of the Year, returns for his second season in the dugout after stepping in during the fall 2008 semester. He guided a young CSI squad to a 6-2 league mark and a 19-20 overall record. While Baruch looks for an offensive punch, CSI's weakness will be on the mound with the graduation of Jon Reyes (5-3, 3.59 ERA, 4 CG). James Mardikos (4-2, 5.36 ERA) should top the staff in 2010. John Jay may be the dark horse candidate of the race if it can replace CUNYAC Pitcher of the Year Michael Colletta and John Massoni who combined for 10 wins and 27 starts in 2009. The Bloodhounds will have offense with their top three hitters back in Johan Abad (.383, 29 RBI), Edwin Hernandez (.355, 17 SB) and Xavier Perez (.344, 27 RBI, 18 SB) along with James Podlucky (.307, 19 RBI, 14 SB).

Empire 8: The Empire 8 has been handing out league championship hardware since 2002. In that time, Ithaca has won eight-straight league crowns and gone on to the NCAA playoffs. After being tabbed to finish second in the league behind Rochester Tech last season, the Bombers reeled off 29 victories and went 14-2 in the league to capture their eighth-straight loop title. While a ninth championship isn't out of the question for Ithaca, St. John Fisher could spoil the party and potentially give the league two at-large selections -- as happened in 2007. Pitching could be the difference and the Bombers have that though the team will miss 2009 D3baseball.com All-American Pete MacDaniel. Tom Fishback (8-5, 2.73 ERA) should again be Ithaca's inning eater with Aaron Sapp (4-1, 2.30 ERA), Dan Lynch (5-3, 3.91 ERA) and UNC-Greensboro transfer Bryan Thyroff in support. Closer Tucker Healy (3-0, 2.70 ERA, 5 saves) provides relief in the bullpen and should be the next in a long line of strong South Hill closers. Ithaca's offense could need some re-tooling with a brand new top three in the line-up to hit in front of David Ahonen (.391, 5 HR, 32 RBI), Matt Streich (.331, 3 HR, 34 RBI) and Rob Zappia (.321, 1 HR 20 RBI). Keep an eye on freshmen catcher Kevin Primm, a third team Class AA all-state selection from North Babylon.

Offense is the name of St. John Fisher's game with 2009 Empire 8 Player of the Year Leo Fusilli (.455, 3 HR, 38 RBI), Empire 8 Rookie of the Year Teagan Barresi (.384, 6 HR, 39 RBI), veteran leader Kevin Wing (.349, 22 RBI, 14 SB), utility player Steve Karnyski (.364, 3 HR, 39 RBI) and clout leader Phil Pettinella (.345, 6 HR, 31 RBI) all back as well as just about everyone else from 2009 because last year's team had zero seniors. An additional boost could be gained from Marc Montesano, who played just one game last year after batting .333 in 2008. However pitching will be an issue after a 5.80 staff ERA in 2009. Dan Jurik (5-4, 4.94 ERA) and Michael Craig (1-2, 6.89 ERA) both excelled in 2008 and a return to that year's form along with contributions from Andrew Van Slyke (5-2, 4.80 ERA) could help immensely.

Stevens almost mirrors St. John Fisher in that both teams can score runs at will and at the same time, give up runs at will; with one of the few differences being Fisher's .316 batting average compared to a .284 mark for Stevens. A veteran club returns in Hoboken, N.J., with dual threat Ken Meerendonk (.347, 8 HR, 30 RBI, 5-5, 4.28 ERA, 4 CG), masher Russ Grimes (8 HR, 29 RBI), speedster Tom Phillips (22 SB, 22 RBI) and all-around talent Mark Rasulo (.291, 6 HR, 29 RBI, 12SB). Meerendonk and 2009 Empire 8 strikeout leader Joe Finora (3-5, 5.55 ERA, 69K) will head up a rotation that will be counted upon to bend but not break but finding suitable arms for the back end rotation is a must. Last year's preseason favorite RIT has two-time E8 Player of the Year Geoff Dornes (.366, 20 RBI; 4-4, 3.10 ERA) back for his senior campaign however the Orange and Black is coming off a sub-.500 season in a year full of expectations. The biggest need will be to find protection for Dornes in the line-up with the graduation of all-region selection Jeremy Tosh (41 RBI). A solid senior year for Dornes could the catalyst the Tigers need for a run at the league crown.

Liberty League: Life in the Liberty League has been as Forrest Gump would say, like a box of chocolates because, you never know what you're going to get. RPI won the regular season title last year only to be upset by a red-hot Clarkson club in the championship round of the league tournament. As the curtain rises on 2010, expect more zaniness in the Liberty League this year. Karl Steffen's RPI Engineers appear again to be the dominant force with D3baseball.com All-American Patrick Reardon (.409, 10 HR, 54 RBI, 79 H) heading a list of seven returning starters that also includes Camden Mamagonian (9 HR, 60 RBI), Nic Marchese (9 HR, 47 RBI) and Andrew Krushelynski (44 RBI). ECAC Upstate New York Pitcher of the Year Andrew Mondo (11-3, 3.03 ERA, 93 K) and former Liberty League Rookie of the Year John Dreimiller (2-0, 4.07 ERA, 45 K) are the best arms on a pitching staff that should be helped by a dominant bullpen of Dan Duval (2-1, 2.97 ERA), Jason Griffith (2-1, 2.91 ERA) and Mike Cieszko (2-0, 1.04 ERA, 5 saves). Cieszko, a dual-threat, could also step in as RPI's starting third basemen to replace four-year starter Jim Devine.

Just past RPI stands defending champion Clarkson, Rochester and Skidmore. Clarkson's powerful bats carried the Knights to a league tournament title in 2009 and the returning foursome of Matt Curry (.409, 28 RBI), Liberty League tournament MVP Brady Torbitt (.346, 5 HR, 37 RBI), Pete Clarke (.338) and Jerry Coleman (.380) is among the best in the league. But, with the just one starting pitcher returning and no more Austin Pitkin, Clarkson may have to rely on its' offense even more so than last year as freshmen arms join the staff.

Rochester won a school-record 30 games in 2009, bowed out in the Liberty tournament and was passed up for an at-large selection to the NCAA playoffs. Like Clarkson, Rochester's pitching was virtually gutted by graduation and will look to freshmen to replace talented seniors and hope for improvement from other returnees. The pitching cupboard isn't bare but needs an ace to possibly emerge from the group of Steven Guzski (3-3, 3.44 ERA), Michael Wexler (3-1, 3.28 ERA) and Dan Ludwig (3-0, 3.04 ERA). Rochester's top weapons are the speedy Andy Cannon (.315, 32 SB), Alex Caghan (.297, 22 SB) and Matt Francis (.306, 18 SB, 40 RBI) along with run producer Nate Stein (.358, 36 RBI). You can bet that last year's tournament snub will be all the motivation the Yellow Jackets need to improve upon last year's strong season.

Of the Skidmore, Clarkson, Rochester triumvirate, Skidmore has the most talent back from a team that went to the NCAA tournament in 2005 and 2007 and finished with 22 wins in 2009. Six of Skidmore's top seven hitters are back led by freshmen sensation Brian Lowry (.380, 36 RBI, 21 SB), Anthony Ferri (.361, 35 RBI, 16 SB), Jake Mendell (.300, 25 SB) and Matt Pisani (39 RBI) The Thoroughbreds do lose staff ace Ed Reilly but have three others back in Nick Laracuente (4-5, 3.34 ERA, 57 K), Derek Stork (5-5, 4.84 ERA) and Trevor Brucato (4-3, 5.82 ERA). However the bullpen could use adjustments with just one pitcher back sporting a sub 5.00 ERA. St. Lawrence has shown the ability to steal games from the top half of the circuit and went to the NCAA tournament in 2006. The Saints have several talented players in Ryan Duff (.402, 21 RBI) and Garrett Fitzgerald (.287, 31 RBI) but may not have the horses to stay with the top clubs in the long run.

Skyline Conference: Will 2010 be a three-peat for Farmingdale State? The Rams have grabbed the last two Skyline crowns and made it even sweeter with a fairytale run through the Farmingdale regional on their way to the World Series in 2009. Entering his fifth year at Farmingdale, Keith Osik is just four wins shy of 100. Veteran talent will pace the club in 2009 Skyline Player of the Year Kevin Curtis (.407, 44 RBI), Skyline tournament MVP Frank Yera (.415, 6TRP, 25RBI), Mike Labrozzi (.336, 5 HR, 26 RBI), Zak Nersesian (.333, 2 HR, 24 RBI) and Don Moscatelli (.342, 1 HR, 38 RBI) as well as pitchers Chris Phelan (5-1, 3.97 ERA) and Steve King (5-4, 4.12 ERA). However, Keith Osik needs to find replacements for workhorse pitcher Tom Heeman (8-3, 2.49, 94.0IP), infielder Brian Benvenuto (.375, 36 RBI) and closer Billy Garafalo. Those spots could be filled by anyone from a 21-man incoming class that includes Chris Longo, a 6-foot-4 transfer from St. Louis University and Ian Solomon, a two-year player at Division-II New Haven.

Old Westbury could be Farmingdale's stiffest test though Chicago Cubs 2009 eighth-round draft pick Robert Whitenack (5-2, 2.81 ERA, 79 K) will be hard to replace. Aside from Whitenack, the Panthers lost only three other seniors and return all-league selections Albert Bevacqua (.395, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 21 SB) and Ryan Blanco (.353, 33 RBI, 20 SB) along with Emmanuel Mateo (.300, 3 HR, 29 RBI, 23 SB). The lethal Westbury offense was fourth in the nation in 2009 with 139 stolen bases and they should look to keep running in 2010. Daniel Fordyce (5-0, 3.17 ERA) and Robert Hugli (6-4, 6.02 ERA) should battle for Whitenack's spot at the top of the rotation. Closer Jorge Hiraldo (2-0, 2.25 ERA, 5 saves) could be one of the best in the league. The Panthers won a school-record 27 games last year and will be in the mix for a return to the regionals in 2010. St. Joseph's of Long Island and Mount St. Mary could also be teams to watch in the Skyline.

State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC): Cortland State has gone to the NCAA playoffs 17 years in a row and won 28 overall SUNYAC titles. Only two other conference squads recently have thrown Cortland from the catbird's seat and gone on to the NCAA tournament (Oswego 1996, Brockport 2004). The Red Dragons bring back most of last year's SUNYAC championship team minus 2008 SUNYAC Pitcher of the Year Matt Tone, Nicolas Blanco and Michael Avery. Adding on to a team that is already topped by 2009 SUNYAC Player of the Year Jason Simone (.359, 33 RBI, 18 SB), Anderson Gardner (.362, 7 HR, 29 RBI) and Kevin Jackson (.386, 2 HR, 40 RBI) will be returnees Adam and Khyle Dimino, who missed all of 2008, fifth-year senior John Zilnicki and York (Pa.) transfer Rob Andrews. Cortland's pitching rotation will miss Matt Tone but the triumvirate of Michael Mahay, Mike Assmann and Travis Ratliff has combined to go 26-6 over the last two years. With the inclusion of transfers Adam Brown (Ithaca) and Kris Gentzke (Brockport), the Dragons have a possible five-man rotation. There are chinks in the armor however as Cortland will need to shore up the bullpen after blowing leads late in last year's regional and defense up the middle will also need to be a priority. Head coach Joe Brown also believes that this year's recruiting class could be his best ever in 10-plus seasons as the skipper at Cortland.

Oneonta State won 27 games last year but went 6-6 in the league and missed the playoffs. With few graduation losses, Oneonta is poised to challenge for second place. Second team D3baseball.com preseason All-American Dave Filak led the nation in strikeouts per nine innings (14.86) and hits per nine innings (5.07) a season ago and he will counted upon to top Oneonta's rotation which loses 2009 SUNYAC Pitcher of the Year Steve Juedes. Jeffrey Carter (6-1, 3.40 ERA) and Brett Meservey (4-3, 3.75 ERA) round out the teams top three. Chris Brady (.367, 51 H, 24 RBI), Dan Randall (.314, 8 HR, 44 RBI) and Carmine Caputo (.308, 18 RBI, 21 SB) headline a group of seven returning fielders. Holes to graduation hope to be filled by 2009 New York Class B all-state selections Mike DeCarr and Mike Mascari.

Fredonia and Brockport have should have the inside track to the top four but both teams suffered sizable losses to graduation as did 2009 SUNYAC playoff participant Plattsburgh. Fredonia begins life without 2009 sensation Ricky Carlson (7-1, 2.42 ERA, 74.1IP, 6 CG) and top offensive weapon Jordan Basile (.420, 47 R, 63 H, 23 SB). But, the middle of the order remains intact with run-producers Josh Greco (34 RBI), Rob Hermann (31 RBI) and Don Kirsch (26 RBI). Pitching may be the biggest issue with Justin Nowak (3-2, 4.05 ERA) and Andy Dlugosz (3-1, 3.15 ERA) as the only returning starters though Nick Cummings (5-0, 2.45 ERA, 3svs) could be the best closer in the league. The Brockport Golden Eagles have several pieces to build around like Joe Zaccardo (.333, 5 HR, 25 RBI), Max Zimmerman (.295, 5 HR, 33 RBI) and James Joy (4-3, 4.45 ERA) though top-of-the-line starters may need to emerge from a strong freshmen class or a small group of transfer arms for head coach Justin Beach. Plattsburgh's Matt O'Leary, the 2009 SUNYAC Rookie of the Year, could end up as a hidden gem in the North Country as big losses to graduation should have the Cardinals on the outside of the playoffs looking in for the first time since 2002.