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WVSU Is Top Choice In WVIAC Baseball Coaches' Poll
PRINCETON, WV, February 4, 2009---Southern Division archrivals West Virginia State and Concord are the most popular choices to claim the 2009 WVIAC baseball title according to the league's head coaches. Defending champion West Virginia State earned six votes to win the conference overall title, while Concord grabbed three first place nods in the annual coaches' poll.
Northern Division favorite Pitt Johnstown was the recipient of two first votes, as was divisional foe Shepherd. Central Division top dog West Virginia Wesleyan grabbed the final vote for the overall title.
Coaches forecast Charleston, Bluefield State, and Ohio Valley to finish behind WVSU and CU in the Southern Division. WVWC, Alderson-Broaddus, Fairmont State, Davis & Elkins, and Salem International comprise the predicted order of finish in the Central Division. UPJ, SU, Seton Hill, West Liberty, and Wheeling Jesuit is the anticipated finish in what is expected to be a brutally competitive Northern Division race.
West Virginia State (36-14, 13-2) has eight everyday starters back on hand from last season's WVIAC Tournament championship squad. Cal Bailey's squad annually rank among the national leaders in offense and this year should prove to be no exception. State's outfield of Bo Darby (.395-17-69), J.D. Broderick (.469-10-43), and Eric Workman (.387, 44 RBI) should be one of the best in Division II.
Concord (35-15, 11-5) spent much of last season in the national rankings with an exceptionally young squad. Kevin Garrett's Mountain Lions return virtually everyone, but still only field three seniors. 3B Greyson Schram (.451-16-64, 13 SB) has been recognized by Baseball America as a Division II player to watch in 2009. OF Tim Merolillo (.389-12-59) and OF Blake Cullen (.347-6-28) should also help the CU attack remain potent.
Charleston (19-31, 8-8) will be led by regional Gold Glove catcher Kyle Root (.295-2-28) and SS Kyle O'Connell (.394-4-37). Bluefield State (16-31, 3-13) has quadrupled their win total over the past three seasons. The Big Blues expect to keeping climbing behind senior OF Garrett Ferrera (.388). Ohio Valley (11-35, 4-11) welcomes former head coach Bob Crawford back to the program after Chad Porter moved to Texas A&M-International. C Jake Kight (.345-2-18) and 1B John Ortiz (.338-13-50) are among the top returnees for the Fighting Scots.
West Virginia Wesleyan (33-17, 12-4) head coach Randy Tenney expects to field a young lineup with as many as six underclassmen. Five of the top six pitchers are also slated to be sophomores. Only four seniors are on the Bobcat roster.
Alderson-Broaddus (29-17-1, 10-4) has revitalized their program under head coach Milan Rasic. 1B/OF Eric Texeira (.338) and 3B/C/P Ronnie Whitt (.345) pace the lineup. Senior lefties Mark Teague, A.J. Nevells, and Renato Lopez combined for 14 wins in 2008 and lead what could be a strong pitching staff.
Fairmont State (16-33, 7-8) returns the big bat of senior 1B Zack Solly (.371-7-34) during head coach George Yanchak's second season. Former Davis & Elkins (9-39, 4-11) star Ronnie Palmer should field a much-improved club in his second year at the helm. Salem International (11-35, 4-11) head coach Tanner Hill feels his squad could be a surprise. OF Hector Sanchez (.432) was a second team all-conference and all-region pick in 2008.
Pitt Johnstown (37-19-1, 12-4) welcomes all but four players back from a squad that established a school record for wins in 2008. Jon Moore (7-1, 3.07), Eric Faint (2-1, 9 SV, 2.33), and Chuck Boring (4-3, 4.03) could form one of the region's top pitching staffs. 1B Matt Hanley (.339-13-55) and SS Matt Petrowsky (.322-11-35) will lead the offense for Todd Williams' Mountain Cats.
Shepherd (29-21, 10-6) has one of Division II's top two-way threats in Matt McCarty (.353 BA, 8-2, 1.91 ERA). 2B Drew McCormick (.327-7-35) and P Kenny Reisinger (5-1, 3.65) should help Wayne Riser's Rams to remain in contention on the conference and regional level. A strong crop of junior college talent should also play a key role.
Seton Hill (26-23, 8-8) is eligible for this season's WVIAC title after gaining full NCAA Division II membership. D.J. Cannon (4-3, 2.81 ERA), Matt McCartney (6-2, 3.24), and Andrew DiNardo (3-5, 6 SV, 2.93) are the foundations of a strong pitching staff. Head coach Marc Marizzaldi likes the stolen base and SS Mike McCarthy (.381, 42-48 SB) is a top-notch speedster.
Northern Panhandle rivals West Liberty (15-28, 6-10) and Wheeling Jesuit (12-35, 4-12) have the ability to play the spoilers' role in the divisional race.
The top two squads in each division will meet at Johnstown's Point Stadium for the double-elimination WVIAC Tournament. The winner of the April 30-May 2 event earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional.
The complete 2009 WVIAC baseball coaches' poll follows:
Northern Division:
| Pos. |
School |
'08 Record |
Points |
| 1. |
Pitt Johnstown (10) |
37-19-1, 12-4 |
65 |
| 2. |
Shepherd (4) |
29-21, 10-6 |
59 |
| 3. |
Seton Hill |
26-23, 8-8 |
41 |
| 4. |
West Liberty |
15-28, 6-10 |
25 |
| 5. |
Wheeling Jesuit |
12-35, 4-12 |
20 |
Central Division:
| Pos. |
School |
'08 Record |
Points |
| 1. |
West Virginia Wesleyan (11) |
33-17, 12-4 |
64 |
| 2. |
Alderson-Broaddus (2) |
29-17-1, 10-4 |
55 |
| 3. |
Fairmont State (1) |
16-33, 7-8 |
41 |
| 4. |
Davis & Elkins |
9-39, 4-11 |
30 |
| 5. |
Salem International |
11-35, 4-11 |
20 |
Southern Division:
| Pos. |
School |
'08 Record |
Points |
| 1. |
West Virginia State (10) |
36-14, 13-2 |
66 |
| 2. |
Concord (4) |
35-15, 11-5 |
60 |
| 3. |
Charleston |
19-31, 8-8 |
34 |
| 4. |
Bluefield State |
16-31, 3-13 |
28 |
| 5. |
Ohio Valley |
11-35, 4-11 |
20 |
Overall Champion:
| School |
Votes |
| West Virginia State |
6 |
| Concord |
3 |
| Pitt Johnstown |
2 |
| Shepherd |
2 |
| West Virginia Wesleyan |
1 | |
