CUA tied atop conference preseason poll with Moravian

WASHINGTON – The defending Landmark Conference champion CUA Cardinals are tied with Moravian atop the 2012 conference preseason poll, announced on Wednesday.  The Cardinals and Greyhounds both received 58 points and were the only schools to garner any first place votes.

Following CUA and Moravian in the poll are Scranton (41 points), Susquehanna (35 points), Merchant Marine Academy (24 points), Juniata (23 points), and Drew (13 points).

The Cardinals won 23 games in 2011 and captured their third Landmark Conference title in the last four seasons.  CUA then went on to play in its first NCAA Tournament since 1977 and the Cardinals made the most of it, taking down No. 3 national seed Kean University 3-2 in the first round.

CUA returns four All-Conference performers from a year ago, including Tim Mierzwa, Dave Grear, Matt Grieb and Brendan Breslin.  In addition, the team's leading hitter, Mark Kalokitis (.342 average), and two of the top three pitchers, Andrew Carroll and Robin Mowatt, also return.

The Cardinals open their 2012 season on Wednesday when they host Messiah at Talbot Field.  The first pitch is set for 3 p.m.  CUA's first conference game will take place on March 17 when the Cardinals face Moravian in Pennsylvania in a three-game set.