Heidelberg, best in Mideast ... and nation
By Jim Dixon, D3basbeball.com
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Heidelberg coach Matt Palm has Ricardo Lizano and
the rest of the Student Princes looking for their first baseball
championship. |
The say the past is the guide to the future. In 2009 Marietta
was standing on the field when Wooster advanced to the finals and
in 2010, the Pioneers were also on the field to see Heidelberg make
their debut in the finals. These three teams will once again be the
cream of the crop in the Mideast region once but we see Marietta
watching Heidelberg celebrate a second consecutive trip to the
final round. Adrian and Rose Hulman will both have big shoes to
fill with Adrian's Alex Cowart and Rose Hulman's Tim Tepe gone and
should make a run again in 2011.
New Faces: Adrian Abrahamowicz, Oberlin: Longtime
assistant coach Adrian Abrahamowicz was named Oberlin's head coach
this summer. With a veteran team, Abrahamowicz should find success
quickly. "I feel we have done a good job of turning the
program around over the last few years and believe we are ready to
take the next step," Abrahamowicz said.
Steve Sakosits, Earlham: There will be a familiar face in the
Earlham dugout for the 2011 baseball season as Steve Sakosits was
selected to lead the program, after serving two years as the
associate head coach under John Cate. "I’ve been very blessed
with what I’ve been able to do in four years as a coach,"
Sakosits said. "I’m excited about the future of the Earlham
program."
Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC):
Rose-Hulman represented the HCAC the last three years but the route
to a fourth playoff berth might have to come through an at-large
bid. Franklin is the favored team to come out of the HCAC but they
were also favored in 2010 and ended up missing the playoffs. In the
preseason Top 25, no HCAC team was ranked but both Franklin and
Rose-Hulman received votes.
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Franklin seniors Ian Sanders and Matt Zmich will be
looking for a fifth straight appearance in the HCAC
tournament. |
Franklin (26-15) will be looking for its fourth HCAC baseball
title and fourth straight tournament appearance as the Grizzlies
enter the 2011 season. The Grizzlies return a host of key
components from last season’s team, including a solid
infield. Senior third baseman Alex Boone (.419, 9 HR, 53 RBI) joins
second baseman Ian Sanders (.309, 42 R, 27 RBI) and shortstop Nick
Stoia (.335, 41 R, 43 RBI) to anchor the defense. On the mound,
Franklin will be led by All-HCAC first team selection Cody Nees
(4-4, 4 saves, 3.06 ERA).
Manchester (26-19) was the runner-up in the HCAC tournament last
season, falling to Rose-Hulman in the final. Three All-HCAC
first-team selections return to lead the Spartans lineup this
spring. Senior first baseman Ty Foster (.406, 14 HR, 54 RBI) will
join two other big bats in the heart of the lineup for
Manchester. Senior catcher Trey Forbes (.376, 14 2B, 42 RBI)
and senior designated hitter John Smolinski (.380, 31 R, 46 RBI)
return for their final seasons.
Anderson (26-14) is predicted to finish third after earning the
regular season title in 2010. Anderson will have to replace their
outfield duo, 2010 HCAC MVP Chris Jarrett and Cody Young. Senior
infielder Brett Detty (.460, 40 R, 29 RBI) and senior outfielder
Garrett Stone (.392, 10 HR, 55 RBI) return on a team that led the
nation in batting average (.391). Greg Vogt (7-0, 4.48 ERA, 43 SO)
will lead the Ravens pitching staff.
Transylvania (24-16) last made the playoffs in 2008 and will find
a trip in 2011 an uphill battle. Senior centerfielder Thomas
Tolliver (.408, 38 R, 20 RBI), the all-time leader in batting
average returns. He will be joined by third baseman Evan Rea (.434,
21 RBI) and catcher Drew Zuckerman (.340, 6 HR, 25 RBI). For a
chance at the playoffs, the Pioneers will have to improve on the
mound as their 5.82 team ERA ranked 157th in D-III in 2010.
Rose-Hulman (30-14) surprised everyone at the conference
tournament but have big shoes to fill with the departure of Tim
Tepe and Keenen Long. The 2011 squad returns four starters from the
lineup and features an experienced pitching staff. Senior Chris
Stemple (.444, 55 R, 49 RBI) enters the season as Rose-Hulman's
career leader in batting average and is joined in the batting order
by seniors B.J. Zobrist (.446, 2 HR, 14 RBI) and Michael Kovacs
(.365, 4 HR, 48 RBI). On the mound, the Engineers return three
starting pitchers that recorded a combined 23 starts last season
headlined by Andrew Oakley (6-2, 4.98 ERA), and Gannon Sadzeck
(3-2, 6.09 ERA). Returning after missing last season is senior Nick
Rumpke (5-0, 2.88 ERA in 2009). Towards the end of the season the
Engineers will be looking to celebrate a program milestone. They
are just 28 wins from 1,000 for the program.
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Nick Sarkissian played and started in all 43 games a
year ago for Adrian. |
Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA): The MIAA is the only conference in the Mideast without a season ending tournament. In the last two years, it was Adrian who earned the automatic bid but getting back to the playoffs is not guaranteed in 2011.
Adrian will depend on a core group of seniors as they attempt to
three-peat as MIAA champions. Pitchers Ryan Domschot (6-2, 3.04
ERA, 72 SO) and David Partyka (8-1, 3.49 ERA, 3 shutouts) will
provide a potent 1-2 combination on the mound. On the offensive
side, first baseman Jake Cappelletty (.364, 36 RBI), third baseman
Brian Bilius (.366, 4 HR, 34 RBI) and outfielder Nate Sarkissian
(.317, 46 R, 36 RBI) return for their final year in a Bulldog
uniform. Missing for the first time since 2007 is outfielder Alex
Cowart. Cowart was a key member of the Adrian's success and the
Bulldogs will miss his leadership.
Last year Adrian's main competition for the Pool A bid came from
Hope (28-12). All-Mideast Region selection, Robby Poll, will be
missed as the team's leading hitter and pitcher. The leadership
void will be filled by Hope's four captains. Colton Bodrie (.394,
33 R, 33 RBI), Drew Carmody (.389, 33 R, 28 RBI), and Jon Ponte
(.358, 36 RBI) will provide the offense and Derek Fairchild (4-2,
5.13 ERA, 47 SO) will be called upon on the mound.
Calvin (19-20) had a down year in 2010 but return the bulk of
their starters and will "battle it out" with Hope and Adrian for
their first playoff berth since 2008. Three All-MIAA honorees will
return in 2011. Senior Keith Spoelstra (6-3, 3.54 ERA) was a first
team selection and senior Andrew Bosma (.389, 33 RBI) and junior
Tyler Berger (.351, 4 HR. 15 RBI) received second team honors.
Calvin concluded the season with a five-game winning streak and is
looking to keep that momentum going in 2011.
Trine (22-16) took third place in the MIAA in 2010, their best
finish since joining the conference in 2003. All-MIAA selections
Brad Laucher and Lauren Parr are gone from the Thunder but junior
third baseman Ryan Smith (.413, 6 HR, 33 RBI), a All-MIAA First
team selection in 2010, remains. Trine will need to find some
offense and pitching among their 2011 recruits to compete for the
top spot in the conference.
Nick Frank (.350, 22 RBI) and Mike Schypinski (5-3, 3.92), both
coming off a successful freshman years for Albion (17-21), will
join junior Chuck DeClarke (.357, 4 HR, 34 RBI) as a core of
returning players to improve on Albion's .500 conference record. In
head coach Steve Carden's eighth season, the Britons will see
offensive help with the return of John Gignac (.326, 20 RBI).
Gignac returns to the team after missing last year due to an
injury.
| John Carroll senior Brian Benander was one of six
Blue Streaks to be accorded with postseason honors from the Ohio
Athletic Conference in 2010. John Carroll photo by John Reid |
Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC): Last year it
looked like a race between Heidelberg and Marietta and it turned
true as both teams met in the Regional final. This year is no
different as the Student Princes and Pioneers are expected to be
the best in the OAC in 2011. Top ranked Heidelberg returns a lot of
experience and is expected to come out of the regular season with
the OAC automatic bid. Mideast regional host, 12th ranked Marietta
should once again earn a playoff bid.
Heidelberg (42-8) grabbed 19 of 25 first place votes in the
pre-season Top 25 and is the consensus team to beat. With their
first trip to the championship round as success (third place in the
nation), only a celebration with the walnut and bronze trophy will
top their performance in 2010. With four players named to the
D3baseball.com pre-season All-American squad, the Student Princes
have the hitting and pitching to make it to the final game of the
D-III baseball season. Willie Brechun (.429, 60 ZR, 14 HR, 60 RBI)
and Richardo Lizcano (.445, 74 R, 15 HR, 71 RBI, 17 SB) highlight a
dangerous offense. Heidelberg also returns a stellar pitching staff
led by Andy Lowe (5-3, 12 saves, 2.92 ERA) and Etahn Holt (9-1,
2.38 ERA, 58 SO).
Marietta (36-13) will contend for the OAC crown with Heidelberg.
Under coach Brian Brewer, the Pioneers have always been a
line-drive hitting club with plate discipline. With the
change in the bat rules this season, their chances are improved in
another regional championship. Marietta's 2011 squad return seven
regular starters as well as its entire pitching rotation. Mark
Williams (6-4, 4.27 ERA, 64 SO) and Austin Blaski (9-4, 3.18 ERA,
80 SO) will anchor the pitching staff. Senior outfielders John
Snyder (.412, 51 R, 50 RBI, 12 SB) and Britt Meador (.400, 4 HR, 36
RBI) are primed to lead the offense in 2011.
John Carroll (25-16) tied the club record for most victories tying
the 1998 club for the single campaign mark. The Blue Streak also
made their second consecutive visit to the league's four-team
postseason tournament. John Carroll will miss the leadoff talents
of John Skomra who graduated in 2011 but Brian Benander (.406, 44
R, 30 RBI) returns and is joined by Tom Hickey (.357, 26R, 39 RBI)
and Ryan Pacyga (.388, 8 HR, 50 RBI). The pitching staff will be
led by Michael Eden (4-0, 6 saves, 2.86 ERA, 41 SO). John Carroll
has the talent for a third trip to the OAC tournament.
Muskingum (23-18) will have a few big holes to fill in 2011. Gone
is All-American catcher Brock Whiteman, the all-time career hits
leader at Muskingum and the first-ever Muskie to receive the Jack
Rafeld OAC Baseball Player of the Year Award. Gone is Wes Carder,
the best defensive shortstop in the nation. Gone is Jared Paterson,
their wins leader on the mound. The good news is that senior
outfielder Erik Spitzer (.403, 4 HR, 38 RBI) returns along with
pitchers Michael Congrove (3-3, 4.64 ERA) and Issac Free (5-4, 5.00
ERA, 53 SO).
Ohio Northern (26-12) finished one spot out of the OAC tournament
in 2010 and is looking to claim this spot in 2011. They graduated
All-OAC Loren Fleischman and Brett Katana but return first baseman
Matt Hampshire (.386, 6 HR, 33 RBI) and pitcher Austin Price (7-2,
5.73 ERA, 47 SO). Otterbein (19-20) had a down year in 2010,
finishing outside the top half of the OAC. The heart of the
Cardinal's batting order, Brian Hiscox and John Quimby have
graduated but the Cardinals return their top pitchers. Pitchers
John LaCorte (7-2, 4.87 ERA), Matt Frey (4-2, 4.89 ERA), and David
Cydrus (4-2, 6.57 ERA) accounted for 31 of 39 starts in 2010 for
Otterbein.
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Wooster shortstop Greg Van Horn, was selected as a
second-team pre-season All-American by D3baseball.com in
January. |
North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC): In
2010, Wooster won its league-leading 13th NCAC championship, taking
all three games it played at VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe,
Ohio. The Scots will get some competition in 2011 as Ohio Wesleyan
return a veteran team.
Wooster (34-9) return pitching ace, Justin McDowell (8-3, 2.64
ERA, 71 SO) and a good supporting cast but they better be good
because the offense is going to need some help. The Scots will
bring three position starters back to the diamond but will need
several from a recruiting class, including 23 freshmen, to play
prominent roles. The returners are headlined by D3baseball.com
pre-season All-American shortstop Greg Van Horn (.486, 3 3B, 8 HR,
56 RBI, 16 SB) and third baseman Zack Vesco (.360, 33 RBI). At risk
this season is Woooster's streak of 17th consecutive 30-win
seasons.
Allegheny (25-15) will challenge Wooster for the top of the NCAC
in 2011. Key to their success will be D3baseball.com pre-season
All-American Matt Stahl (.500, 36 R, 39 RBI) as he chases the
school records of two-time All-American Joe Musgrove. Eric Hansen
(.409, 50 R, 16 RBI, 17 SB) will join Stahl and Ben Lowmaster
(.389, 32 RBI) in a potent offense. The pitching rotation will
included two freshmen in Kyle Davis and Brandon Ellis as well as
veterans like Mike Pereslucha (1-0, 3.00 ERA) and David Strawser
(4-4, 5.57 ERA).
Ohio Wesleyan (20-19) started 4-10 in 2010 and finished the rest
of the season 16-9. The Bishops will look for this momentum and a
veteran team to take them to their first playoff berth since 2008.
Catcher Steve Ruygrok and pitcher Matthew Struble were the only two
seniors on Head Coach Tyler Mott's team in 2010. Everybody else is
back, and the Battling Bishops could have the best offense in the
NCAC. Key to this offense will be Zach Frentsos (.424, 45 R, 27
RBI), Tim Knezovich (.422, 7 HR, 41 RBI), and James DiBiasio (.365,
39 R, 22 RBI).
Denison (19-23) will miss MLB draftee Aidan Lucas and four-time All-NCAC utility player Park Smith. Third baseman Matt Forgatch (.320, 29 RBI, 27 SB) and pitcher Freddy Marino (3-0, 5.19 ERA) will be key in the Big Red staying near the top in the NCAC. Wabash (19-23) and Oberlin (18-19) will be looking to move towards the top of the conference standings in 2011. Wabash will rely on John Holm (.367, 15 HR, 51 RBI to spark the offense. The Yeoman will miss all-time win leader Jack Dunn who graduated but returns pitcher Phil Brua (6-3, 6 saves, 2.78 ERA), and third baseman Ben Puterbaug (.459, 31R, 31 RBI). Wittenberg (16-20) will need to improve their win total for Head Coach Jay Lewis to get the 17 wins fhe needs for win number 300 in his career.
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Brad Kubis batted .450 with 44 RBIs and tied for the
top spot in all of Division III with 12 saves, a Bethany
single-season record, in 2010. |
Presidents' Athletic Conference (PrAC): In
2010, Washington & Jefferson (32-12) joined Thomas More (33-16)
in the Mideast regional in 2010, the first time two teams from the
PrAC represented the conference in the playoffs. Thomas More
advanced when they won their first PrAC conference title and the
Presidents received one of 15 at-large bids. In 2011, Thomas More
should have the team to bring them a second PrAC title.
Junior Paul Uhl (10-1, 2.21 ERA, 64 SO), the PrAC pitcher of the
year returns for Thomas More along with the rest of the starting
rotation in Grant Lewis (7-3, 3.94 ERA) and Mike Hager (3-2, 5.54
ERA, 35 SO). The entire starting infield, except for Chris
Fishburn, return for the Saints. Freshman Jason Handley is expected
to get the start at second base replacing Fishburn. Providing the
offense will be outfielder Max Robbins (.418, 47 R, 46 RBI) and
catcher Nick Ryan (.375, 22 RBI).
Led by PrAC MVP, Jim Pasquine, Washington & Jefferson won the
regular season title. Pasquine was not the only loss to graduation
as the Presidents will return only three everyday starters and
their two top starting pitchers. On the offensive side outfielder
Andy Trettel (.382, 6 HR, 48 RBI), shortstop Joe Bogdewiecz (.371,
70 R, 35 RBI), and second baseman Aaron Klinec (.254, 18 R, .977
FLD%) return. Pat Kennedy (7-0, 4.72 ERA, 32 SO) and Dave
Trushel (6-4, 4.18 ERA, 1 save) will anchor the pitching staff.
Bethany (21-18) and St. Vincent (20-20) both return 10 out of 14
starters. Bethany will be led by outfielder Tyler Dillinger (.388,
45 R, 22 RBI) and third baseman Brad Kubis (.450 avg, 37 R, 44
RBI). The starting rotation will be the three Zacs: Junior Zach
Grayson (5-4, 7.26 ERA), sophomore Zack Kozlowski (1-3, 5.51 ERA),
and freshman Zac Edmiston. When needed Kubis (1-1, 12 saves, 1.47
ERA) will be available to close out the game. St. Vincent improved
their record by 11 games last season and for the first time is
eligible for the PAC title and NCAA Championship. Grove City
(19-20) returns All-American catcher Marcus Magister (.417, 7 HR,
42 RBI). Magister will need one home run to overtake Nate Kauffman
for the program's career home run record (23). Wes White Jr. ended
his Waynesburg (15-22) career in 2010 leading the Jackets in
virtually every offensive category. Geneva (16-20) is in its final
year of provisional status and will be eligible next season for
post-season games.
Independents: Head coach Matt Englander is joined by Nick
Callahan in 2011 at Case Western (24-18). With only two outfielders
graduated from last season's team, the Spartans are in position to
compete for a Pool B bid. Key to their chances is 2011
D3baseball.com preseason All-Ameican Chad Mullins (.445, 18 2B, 50
RBI) and Matt Keen (.400, 48 R, 41 RBI). Chad Mullins has a chance
to break most, if not all, career hitting records at Case.
DePauw was included in the South region preview.
