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| Matthew Ritchie and the rest of the Blue Jays were a surprise entry in the 2019 World Series field. Rowan athletics d3photography.com photo by Larry Radloff |
by Jim Dixon
D3sports.com
Last year Johns Hopkins head coach scheduled some off time during the 2019 World Series but had to cancel his plans when the Blue Jays won the super regional. This year, Babb will have to keep the dates clear as his team is one of the top contenders coming out of the Mid Atlantic.
The Cougars of Kean could be making the trip to Cedar Rapids in 2020. Both Rowan and TCNJ will start 2020 with less expectations, leaving the door open for Kean as the top NJAC team. In nine of the last ten years, two of this NJAC trio earned playoff bids with all three making the trip in 2019. Expect the same result with Ramapo looking to improve on their fourth-place finish last season.
Misericordia is the lone other Mid-Atlantic team that made the preseason lists but count Keystone here too as the Giants have yet to miss the postseason and should be back again. Alvernia is another team with a record of making the playoffs and is part of a contingent that is receiving preseason votes.
New Faces
Rich Gawlak, Stockton: Stockton selected Gawlak to lead the Osprey's after Dave Lorber moved to conference rival Montclair State. Gawlak will take the helm of the Stockton program after 11 years as an assistant coach at fellow NJAC institution TCNJ. "I am honored to be named the head coach at Stockton University. I would like to thank athletic director Kevin McHugh and the search committee for giving me the opportunity to lead the baseball program," said Gawlak.
Scott Grimes, Neumann: Grimes comes to the Knights with eight years of professional playing experience, as well as over seven years of Division I coaching experience. "I'm incredibly grateful to Chuck Sack, Dr. Domes and the entire Neumann University community with entrusting me with this unbelievable opportunity. It is an absolute honor to be selected as the next Head Baseball Coach of Neumann University. The foundation is in place for sustained success, I'm eager to get to work, help these student-athletes reach all their goals and have an impact on the baseball program and in the lives of these young men."
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| Rich Gawlak is the second new head coach Stockton had in the last two years. Photo by Stockton athletics |
Dave Lorber, Montclair State: Lorber becomes the 12th coach in school history and takes over a program that is one of the most historic in Division III with over 1,600 victories and three national championships. "We are very excited to have Dave Lorber lead our baseball program," says Director of athletics Rob Chesney. "Dave has experience at each NCAA division, and we are confident that he will take our program to the highest levels in addition to providing a first-class experience for our student-athletes." Lorber comes to Montclair State after spending last season at Stockton, where he was named the school's first full-time head coach.
Robert Mansfield, Valley Forge: Mansfield was introduced as the new head coach last summer. Mansfield will bring extensive coaching experience and a vast knowledge of recruiting to the Patriots program. He spent the last five years as the head coach after three years as an assistant coach at Gordon. During his tenure as the head skipper for the Scots, the team qualified for the Commonwealth Coast Conference playoffs in five consecutive seasons. Furthermore, Mansfield departs Gordon with the most wins and highest winning percentage in school history and coached 16 All-Conference players and 28 All-Academic Conference players. "I am extremely excited to lead the Valley Forge baseball program. To have the opportunity to not only grow this team in competitiveness but also help develop the players into Christian leaders is an absolute blessing. I look forward to seeing how we are able to work hard and focus on getting better each day. I want to thank Gretchen LeVan and the search committee for this opportunity" stated Mansfield.
Devin Raven, Clarks Summit: This summer Raven was named the Interim Head Coach of the baseball program. Raven spent a year in the dugout as an assistant coach and was the leading candidate for the interim position when the coaching job became available. The 30-year old was born in Waterville, ME and graduated from Clarks Summit in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies. Prior to his job as an assistant at CSU, Raven coached at a couple of different levels. All of that experience has him prepared to take the reigns as the leader of the Defender program. He hopes to use the momentum from last season to build the program into a force to be reckoned with. Improving on the eight wins from a year ago is a goal of Raven's but it is not his only goal. "I hope to teach the players lessons that this great game has to offer. Baseball can be much more than a sport; it teaches lessons that can be used throughout a player's life. I want each individual player to learn and grown in their abilities and skills."
Games to Watch in 2020
February 29th: Cortland at Johns Hopkins. The Blue Jay's sixth game of the month will go a long to showing how good the Blue Jays can be.
March 28th: Rowan and Kean open their NJAC schedules against each other at Union, N.J. A sweep by either team will turn out to be big when conference tournament seeding is determined.
April 4th: Stockton travels to Montclair State to face their former head coach and the Red Hawks
April 14th: Keystone visits Misericordia with both teams needing a win to bolster their Pool C chances. The cougars will be coming off a tough series with DeSales while Keystone should be polishing up another regular season CSAC title.
Conference Previews
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| Cabrini will look to build upon its highly successful 2019 season, which culminated with a program record and conference record 31 wins, Photo by Cabrini athletics |
American East Conference: Cabrini (31-11) made a bid for the first conference tournament title from the newly minted American East but fell in two straight to Gwynedd Mercy in the conference final. Head coach Nick Weisheipl will return a plethora of production from last season's team that led the conference in runs scored, hits, doubles, triples, RBI's, total bases, walks and fielding percentage. Headlining the bunch is a pair of All-Conference First-Team selections in senior Kyran Weemaels (4.07 ERA, 4-1, 35K) and junior Mack McKisson (.368, 51R, 43 RBI, 12 SB). The AEC will not have and automatic bid again this year and will compete with the likes of UW-Whitewater and Washington Univ. for a playoff spot
Gwynedd Mercy (21-14-2) will have some big shoes in 2020 to fill. Dave Tatoian, AEC Player of the Year, and Nick DeRitis, AEC Pitcher of the Year, finished their senior eligibility in 2019. Also departing are five more All-Conference players giving head coach Paul Murphy some leadership holes to fill. Their top regular back on offense is catcher T.J. Brasier (.329, 8 R, 9 RBI) and on the mound, Brian Wildrick (2.70 ERA, 4-1, 13K).
Marymount (20-21) tied Gwynedd Mercy with eight conference wins but lost the tie breaker for a third-place finish in 2019. Junior Ryan Bergenhagen (3.97, 7-4, 58K) and senior Kenny Sysyn (6.82, 3-3, 36K) excelled on their summer league teams and will provide much needed experience on the mound. The Saints have role players ready to step up to the plate as regulars with junior Casey Baker (.303, 15 R, 14 RBI) as their top everyday player back in 2020.
Immaculata (22-17), Neumann (14-22), and Marywood (7-24) were the bottom seeds in the AEC tournament. Senior infielder Tyler Kmiec (.402, 52 R, 30 RBI) and designated hitter: Richard Fontanillas (.301, 35 R, 39 RBI) made the All-AEC teams and are back for Immaculata, as is Rookie of the Year Joey Sacco (.359, 44 R, 27 RBI). Expect the Mighty Mac to make a move up the conference standings in 2020. Neuman's lone first team All-AEC player, junior catcher Jake Urena (.412, 8 R, 4 RBI) returns after a part-time role in 2019. Finishing outside the 2019 playoffs was Wesley (5-26-1) and for a turnaround in their fortunes, it will have to come from the 2020 recruiting class.
Favorite: Cabrini
Colonial States Athletic Conference: Keystone (25-16) will start the season as the favorite to collect their twelfth consecutive CSAC title. Of the six Giants on the 2019 All-CSAC team, three have eligibility for Keystone in 2020. Infielder Nick Carlini (.315, 36 R, 34 RBI), starting pitcher Nathan Hinkley (3.54 ERA, 5-2, 43 K) and reliever Ramon Disla (2.19 ERA, 3-0, 12 K). Coming off their lowest win total since moving from a junior college to a member of D-III, Keystone is expected to maintain their streak of Regional playoff bids since becoming eligible for the postseason.
Cairn (20-22) finished runner-up to the Giants in both the regular season and were swept by Keystone in the best of three CSAC tournament. Wilson (21-13) made the playoffs but lost the play-in game to Cairn for a chance to face Keystone for the conference title. The Highlanders return sophomore outfielder Caleb Edman (.320, 27 R, 32 RBI). The Phoenix loses Hunter Cheek, D3baseball.com Mid-Atlantic Rookie of the Year who chose a new major and to be closer to home in Texas. Without Cheek, Wilson will still have more talent and depth than last year’s inaugural team with eight transfer players from both junior colleges and D-II programs. Cam Nolet, a left-handed pitcher, transferring from D-II USC Aiken will be #1 arm for the Phoenix.
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| Jon Fleck started in the outfield in all 33 games he played in, playing both center and right field for the Cyclones. Photo by Centenary athletics |
Centenary (17-19) was just a few wins away from the conference tournament with Clarks Summit (7-27) and Valley Forge (6-23) rounding out the CSAC standings. The Cyclones will rely on sophomore Christopher Gass (.342, 27 R, 28 RBI) and senior Jon Fleck (.380, 32 R, 32 RBI) to move up to the top half of the standings and a shot at the conference title. Clarks Summit bring back six starters including Ryan Clark (.349, 14 R, 23 RBI).
Favorite: Keystone
Centennial Conference: No 14 Johns Hopkins (37-13) will see the effects of graduating pitchers Josh Hejka, Jack Bunting, and Preston Betz. The Blue Jays will be counting on freshmen and sophomore pitchers to fill over 340 innings which were lost to graduation. The offense and defense were not hit nearly as hard as Johns Hopkins should be very good both offensively and defensively. Senior third baseman Mike Eberle (.364, 54 R, 44 RBI, 12 SB) highlights an offense that brings back six of nine starters.
Franklin and Marshall (27-15) is one of three teams in the CC to get votes in the 2020 preseason poll. The Diplomats return almost their entire lineup and most of the rotation and are a strong contender for the conference crown. Top on the team is D3baseball.com Preseason pitcher Jonathan Cole (1.02 ERA, 7-2, 76K). Cole and the rest of the staff can depend on an offense that is dominated by upperclassmen. Key in this group is an all senior middle defense with shortstop JJ Freeman (.298, 49 R, 32 RBI, 15SB), second baseman Justin Cavegn (.238, 24 R, 11 RBI) and centerfielder Kevin Lammers (.280, 20 R, 8 RBI). If Franklin and Marshall has an achillies heal, it would be the relief staff who saw their top reliever graduate.
Haverford (20-20) is expected is to yet again contend for the Centennial Conference championship, replacing some decorated seniors with a special recruiting class. With ten starters returning and additional 15 returnees, the Fords are in good position to move up the standings. Senior gold glove shortstop Will Karp (.377, 49 R, 19 RBI, 29 SB) is back from a team that fielded the ball at a .968 clip.
Swarthmore (27-12) will have a lot of returners and some younger players ready to contribute in 2020 and get back to the championship form they showed in 2018. A difficult schedule will challenge the Garnet every time they step on the field. Look for Cole Beeker (.393, 47 R. 47 RBI) and Holden Bridge (.421, 43 R, 29 RBI) to anchor the offense and Ryan Warm (3.50 ERA, 6-0, 38K) on the mound. Colson Hebble and Kenji Yoshii are back this year from injuries suffered last year.
Muhlenberg (20-19) is rebuilding and will have to depend on less experienced players to step up to replace the graduated senior class that included the starting catcher and shortstop. Washington College (28-12) should continue to be one of the top offenses in the Centennial Conference. If the pitching can take the next step then the Shoremen should expect to be in the postseason picture. Keep your eye on Ryan Zwier (.371 38 R, 8 HR, 40 RBI) who is five career home runs short of tying the career program record.
Dickinson (22-15), Ursinus (18-18), Gettysburg (17-20) and McDaniel (12-22-1) round out the rest of the Centennial. If Gettysburg can make some movement up the standings this season, they should be poised for a title run in 2021 with just two seniors in starting lineup and none in the ranks of the starting pitching. Ursinus might have the best player in the CC in senior outfielder Alex Mumme (.422, 60 R, 45 RBI).
Favorite: Johns Hopkins
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| Scranton outfielder Connor Harding is the lone Landmark player who earned 2020 D3baseball Preseason honors. Photo by Scranton athletics |
Landmark Conference: Another title run is in the future for Susquehanna (24-18) as they look at a fourth title in the last seven years. Susquehanna returns a great number of players on their 2020 roster and will look to Steve Lorenz (.395, 29 R, 33 RBI) as a leader on and off the field.
Catholic (27-16) will be led at the plate by a senior trio consisting of Nolan Lundholm (.356, 30 R, 37 RBI), Connor Sullivan (.336, 33 R, 13 RBI, 10 SB), and Christian Jones (.353, 13 R, 13 RBI). Long-term ace, Jon Mierzwa graduated but Ross Dean (5.01 ERA, 5-2, 50 K) will get his chance at the top of the rotation with a senior heavy relief staff to back him up. Look for head coach Ross Natoli to win his 700th game mid-season when the Cards' win total hits 13. Moravian (22-21-1) lost 13 seniors off their 2019 roster and will find it hard to defend their place in the standings in 2020.
Scranton (17-22) earned the final playoff spot in 2019 and is expected to be back in 2020. Part of the reason is junior outfielder Connor Harding (.464, 46 R, 34 RBI, 14 SB). The D3baseball.com Preseason First Team All-American is also the reining Landmark Conference Player of the Year honors. Joining the Royals could be Elizabethtown (14-26) who missed the postseason for the first time since joining the Landmark conference. The Blue Jays are led by Derek Manning (.391, 323 R, 30 RBI). Drew (20-17) and Juniata (13-26) are expected to remain in the backend of the standings.
Favorite: Susquehanna
Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth: Alvernia (28-16-2) is the favorite in the MACC poll but a successful senior class has left them in a rebuilding year. Typically, they would have a number of All-MACC players back but this season but only senior second baseman Mike Cirilli (.335, 44 R, 43 RBI) is back after making the first of two all-star teams.
In what was typically a one team race a decade ago, was made a two team in the last few years with the emmergence of the Arcadia program. Now add Hood (25-13-1) who wants to make their own mark in the conference. Often a top program starts with coaching and head coach Michael Impellittiere is coming in as the two-time MAC Commonwealth Coach of the Year. Senior two way players Jordan Patterson (.390, 24 R, 20 RBI, 10 SB, 1.99 ERA, 6-4, 48K) and Brad Sawyer (.353, 20 R, 17 RBI, 4.50 ERA, 4-1, 40K) and will play a large role in the success of the Blazers but expect Des Grimes (3.41 ERA, 1-1, 4 SV, 19K) and Dylan Beck (,345, 22 R, 17 RBI, 12 SB) to contribute as well.
Widener (20-24-1) could round out the field when postseason bids are determined in April. Twice they knocked out Alvernia, in 2014 and 2016, from a playoff bid by winning the conference tournament. On the mound Kade Jones (4.45 ERA, 3-4, 54K) is their top returning All-MACC selection while Matt Samson (.331, 43 R, 26 RBI) returns in the everyday lineup. Good news for the future as both has 2-3 years left of eligibility and form a kernel to build around for success next year as well.
Arcadia (25-17) is also facing a reloading challenge with lots of roster turnover from 2019 to 2020. Success for the Knights starts with first baseman Trevor Mattson (.289, 18 R, 28 RBI) who possesses plus power and an above-average glove. Also, on the watch list is a trio of Arcadia seniors - Mitch Blake (2.35 ERA, 0-0, 4 SV, 28K), Jeremy Sabathne (5.85 ERA, 6-4, 33K), and Dylan Towey (.326, 34 34 RBI).
Stevenson (20-20), Messiah (17-23), Lebanon Valley (16-23) and Albright (10-26) are expected to stay cellar dwellers. Albright returns ten starters but, in a conference, dominated by Alvernia and more recently Arcadia, the Lions will not make much headway in 2020. Keep an eye on Messiah outfielder Trent Culver (.392, 43 R, 14 RBI 26 SB).
Favorite: Hood
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| Misericordia was picked to top the MAC Freedom in 2020 as they continue their dominance on the baseball filed in their conference. Photo by Misericordia athletics |
Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom: Misericordia (35-13) has captured nine titles in the last ten years and it is hardly a stretch to think that the Cougars are in line for another. One reason for joy in Dallas, Pa is MACF Pitcher of the Year Ian McCole (2.29 ERA, 11-1, 64 K) is back on the mound for Misericordia. With a pair of sophomore pitchers backing McCole, the future is bright for more than this season. Junior outfielder Shane Hughes (.396, 28 R 31 RBI) and senior first baseman Tyler Holzapfel (.305, 35 R, 46 RBI) will anchor an offense that hit at a .322 clip in 2019.
DeSales (23-19) will need to gain some experience quick if they want to challenge Misericordia. This talented group will rely on a senior 1-2 on the mound in John Boccia, (3.48 ERA, 9-2, 53K) and Ian Kacheris (6.30 ERA, 3-2, 32K). In the regular lineup seniors Sergio Diaz (.378, 24 R, 23 RBI), and Michael White (.380, 17 R, 22 RBI) will provide leadership while sophomore third baseman Johnny Medina (.340, 29 R, 19 RBI) continues to develop.
Do not overlook newcomer Stevens (18-21). Coming over from the Empire Eight, the book on the Ducks will be a slim volume. The unexpected departure of Charlie Ruegger (drafted by the New York Yankees) following the 2018 season gave experience to a large number of pitchers which should bode well for the 2020 season. The player that makes the team go is senior outfielder A.J. Falconite (.331, 24 R, 28 RBI). Watch as Chandler Brierley (4.60 ERA, 3-4, 69K) chases the all-time strikeout record for the Ducks.
King's (17-19) and Wilkes (16-20) will play for the final playoff spot. Eastern (14-24), Delaware Valley (13-25) and FDU-Florham (13-26) are expected to stay at the bottom of the standings.
Favorite: Misericordia
North Eastern Athletic Conference: Keuka (25-16) lost four players from last year regular season champions and return a strong core including top pitchers and 1st team all-conference shortstop in Brooks Vertoske (.349, R, 38 RBI). Toeing the rubber will be senior KC Howe (3.23 ERA, 4-1, 53K) and junior Daniel Steve (2.79 ERA, 5-1, 52K) with senior Tyler Key (5.40 ERA, 4-2, 6 SV, 22K) sitting in the bull pen.
Penn State-Abington (23-17) and Penn State-Berks (25-14) represented the conference in the NCAA playoffs in the last six years. Abington took the conference tournament crown in 2019, ending Berk's five-year streak. It looks good for Abington to continue as a top contender to Keuka as their best player, utility all-star Ryan McCarty (.351, 34 R, 30 RBI, 4.17 ERA, 8-3, 46K) returns. Berks will certainly find it difficult to replace D3baseball.com Player of the Year Toby Welk who is tearing up the MLB minor leagues.
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| Bret Williams should make a splach in the NEAC as Penn State Harrisburg plays their first season in the NEAC, moving from the CAC. Photo by Penn State Harrisburg athletics |
Penn State-Harrisburg (33-15-1) saw their record upended the last two years, going from losing records to 30-win seasons. It is no surprise to fans of D-III baseball that this turnaround coincided with the emergence of Bret Williams (.431, 75 R, 70 RBI). The D3baseball.com Preseason All-American has led the team to winning records and an at-large bid to the 2019 NCAA playoff field. Playing their first season in the NEAC, there is plenty of support around Williams, Travis Van Houten (.385, 49 R, 71 RBI, 4.90 ERA, 6-3, 78K) bested the all-star outfielder in the RBI category and was a stout presence on the mound.
With a four-team playoff format, seven of the eleven conference members will find the postseason ticket hard to earn. Last year’s fourth place team, Penn College (14-22) will have to improve their win total to return to the NEAC tournament. Wells (18-22) and SUNY-Cobleskill (16-22) finished 2019 looking from the outside followed by the Lancaster Bible (12-20), SUNY Poly (10-26), Gallaudet (9-30), and Cazenovia (4-25).
Favorite: Penn State-Harrisburg
New Jersey Athletic Conference: No. 11 Kean (31-16) is the favorite in the NJAC. The Cougars gave a diploma to second baseman John Carello but experience will be an asset as they will retain the rest of their starting nine and rotation. D3baseball.com Preseason All-American Frank LoGiudice (.366, 39 R, 36 RBI, 2.36 ER, 8-2, 47K) will be a factor in Kean's success both in the NJAC and in the national championship chase.
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| TCNJ has averaged more than 30 wins a year for the last four years since finishing at the .500 mark in 2015. Photo by TCNJ athletics |
No. 24 Rowan (32-13) lost 14 seniors from last year's team, but dipped into the junior college ranks to find replacements with significant experience. As these players are absorbed into the team, the Profs will continue be a competitive program in one of the toughest conferences in the nation. Mitch Walker (.444, 50 R, 35 RBI) was a first team All-Region player in 201 and will again provide an offensive punch in the middle of our lineup. Senior Drew Rybach (3.48 ERA, 5-2, 41K) and junior Jeremy Dyzenhaus (4.09 ERA, 3-1, 20K) head the starting rotation.
TCNJ (33-11) should make a run at the NJAC championship if last year’s role players step up in replacing five graduating seniors. Expect a big year for senior catcher David Cardona (.430, 42 R, 42 RBI) with senior outfielder Thomas Persichetti (.285, 42 R, 25 RBI) providing additional offensive. On the Lions pitching staff, they return three of their four winningest pitchers in Peter Nielsen (2.47 ERA, 6-1, 50K), Mike Walley (3.04 ERA, 6-0, 39K), and Matt Volpe (3.76 ERA, 5-1, 34K).
Always a title contender, Ramapo (26-14) will continue to play a tough schedule to add to their resume for an at-large bid if the NJAC title is unattainable. Add William Paterson (25-15) as a possibility for the 2020 NCAA playoffs. With much of their offense returning for another year and half the pitching among 21 lettermen, count on the Pioneers to be in contention in the NJAC title chase.
It could be another year of disappointment for Rutgers-Camden (17-21) and New Jersey City (16-22) who saw a double digit drop in their win totals between 2018 and 2019, falling behind the Rutgers-Newark (17-19) program in the NJAC standings. Montclair State (12-25) saw the improvement in the Stockton (13-19) program and hired the man most responsible. The Ospreys countered with a top assistant from TCNJ to lead their program and continue the improving trend on the campus in Egg Harbor.
Favorite: Kean