Preseason Coaches Poll | Record Book
Rick Hopkins, Dickinson
Dickinson (20-18 overall, 7-11 CC, 8th place)
Head Coach: Craig Hanson (Middlebury '03), 11th season, 162-197-2 (.452)
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2016 Statistics
All-Time Record: 866-1348-24 (.392) since 1886
Centennial Titles (0)
Playoff Appearances (1): 2004
Preseason Poll Projection: 7th
Key Position Players Returning: Rick Hopkins, Sr., C, HM All-CC, 303-4-25, 10-39 CS; Stephen Sakowicz, Soph., 2B, 303-0-13; Robbie Thompson, Jr., 3B, 366-2-11; Max Brown, Soph., SS, 175-0-15.
Key Pitchers Returning: Cristian Acosta, Sr., RHP, 4-3, 2.70, 50.0 IP, 47 K; Ben Woodard, Soph., RHP, 3-2, 1.54, 35.0 IP, 46 K; Ben Rappaport, Soph., RHP, 2-2, 3.79, 35.2 IP, 26 K; Alex Gusikoff, Jr., RHP, 3-0, 1 sv, 1.23; Reid Collins, Jr., RHP, 1-1, 3 saves, 4.30 ERA.
Key Losses: Ryan Dolan, OF, 2nd team All-CC, 366-2-15, 10 SB; Matt Primavera, 1B, 285-5-28; Phil Werner, OF, 369-1-21; Matt Cowell, P, 3-3, 5.73; Garrett Kurtz, P, 1-4, 8.23.
Outlook: The Red Devils missed out on the playoffs for the 12th consecutive year but look to snap that streak behind some talented young arms. Dickinson was third in the CC with a 3.84 ERA a year ago and welcome back three starters and a closer from that staff. Acosta and Woodard combined for 93 strikeouts in 85 IP, while Rappaport also posted a sub 4.00 ERA. Gusikoff is the bridge to Collins on the back end. Hopkins is the offensive leader after earning All-CC honors behind the plate in 2016. Sakowicz and Brown give the Devils strength up the middle, while Thompson looks to be more of a run producer this spring.
Casey Bulik, Franklin & Marshall
Franklin & Marshall (16-20-1 overall, 7-10-1 CC, 7th place)
Head Coach: Ryan Horning (St. Lawrence '04), 4th season, 58-56-1 (.509)
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2016 Statistics
All-Time Record: 995-1211-25 (.453) since 1877
Centennial Titles (4): 1995-2005-06-13
Playoff Appearances (10): 2002-04-05-06-07-08-09-11-13-15
Preseason Poll Projection: 4th
Key Position Players Returning: David Iacobucci, Sr., OF, 1st team All-CC, 379-4-24, 10 SB, 1.026 OPS; Casey Bulik, Sr., 2B, 323-0-12; Tyler Daley, Sr., OF, 354-0-11, 12 SB; Christopher Vincent, Sr., C, 284-2-11; Reed Williams, Sr., SS, 340-0-15.
Key Pitchers Returning: Andrew Mascis, Jr., RHP, 1st team All-CC, 0-1, 2.08, 6 saves, 21.2 IP, 19 K; Mike Androconis, Jr., RHP, 2nd team All-CC, 4-2, 2.95, 58.0 IP, 36 K; Mack Glavin, Sr., RHP, 3-3, 5.17, 54.0 IP, 21 K; Eric Bateman, Sr., RHP, 3-3, 5.65, 43.0 IP, 25 K.
Key Losses: Matt Mezansky, 3B, 290-2-29; Luke Seib, 1B, 312-1-27; Mike Smeriglio, OF, 318-1-16; Brett Poniros, SS, 260-0-5.
Outlook: The Diplomats have made the playoffs every odd-numbered year since 2005 and have the talent to extend that odd streak. Iacobucci was sixth in the CC with a .379 average, earning first-team All-CC honors. Daley was second on the team in average and runs scored. Williams and Bulik combine with Vincent to give F&M strength up the middle. Androconis is one of the top RHP in the Conference, earning second-team All-CC recognition a year ago. Glavin and Bateman are experienced starters, while Mascis led the Centennial in saves for the second straight year.
Wes Anderson, Gettysburg
Gettysburg (24-17-1 overall, 10-7-1 CC, 4th place, 0-2 in CC tournament)
Head Coach: John Campo (Delaware '77), 31st season, 564-507-12 (.526)
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2016 Statistics
All-Time Record: 1306-1112-29 (.540) since 1865
Centennial Titles (0)
Playoff Appearances (5): 2005-07-13-14-16
Preseason Poll Projection: 3rd
Key Position Players Returning: Logan Sneed, Jr., 3B, 2nd team All-CC, 406-0-19, 41 R; Will Anderson, Sr., C, 348-4-37, 42 R, 22 XBH, 1.028 OPS; Chuck Probst, Jr., OF, 338-0-11; Connor Tom, Sr., OF, 275-0-19.
Key Pitchers Returning: Brad DeMartino, Jr., LHP, 6-3, 3.97, 68.0 IP, 62 K, 1 HRA; Eric Brown, Sr., RHP, 4-4, 3.31, 68.0 IP, 36 K; Rich Power, Sr., LHP, 6-4, 3.73, 62.2 IP, 50 K; Will Wortmann, Soph., RHP, 1-1, 2.70, 2 saves, 26.2 IP, 25 K.
Key Losses: Henry Klimowicz, 1B, 2nd team All-CC, 361-2-37; Steve Wright, 2B, 2nd team All-CC, 338-0-40; Luke Lawrence, OF, HM All-CC, 327-1-16; Andrew Hourigan, DH, HM All-CC, 256-0-10; Shawn Moffitt, OF, 290-1-25; Andy Kelley, OF, 317-2-25.
Outlook: The Bullets ran out of steam at the conclusion of the 2016 season, dropping their final five games by a combined score of 60-8. Gettysburg has the pitching strength to make another postseason run, led by DeMartino and Power who shared the team lead with six wins. Brown had the low ERA amongst the starters, while Wortmann is a power arm at the end of the game. Sneed was fourth in the CC in hitting and earned second-team All-CC honors at the hot corner. Anderson, who led the CC with eight triples, was third in total bases (93) and fourth in slugging (.589). Probst and Tom are veteran outfielders.
Justin Herring, Haverford
Haverford (28-14 overall, 13-5 CC, 2nd place, Centennial champs, 1-2 in NCAA regional)
Head Coach: Dave Beccaria (Johns Hopkins '96), 17th season, 351-251-3 (.583)
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2016 Statistics
All-Time Record: 794-1089-18 since 1920 (.427)
Centennial Titles (3): 2012-14-16
Playoff Appearances (11): 2005-06-08-09-10-11-12-13-14-15-16
Preseason Poll Projection: 2nd
Key Position Players Returning: Sam Partee, Soph., DH, 1st team All-CC, 284-4-23; Ethan Tyson-Lee, Soph., OF, 2nd team All-CC, 351-5-22, 42 R, 17 SB; Ben Furlong, Jr., SS, HM All-CC, Gold Glove of Year, 313-6-41; Spencer Sohmer, Jr., 3B, HM All-CC, 325-5-27; Matt Goss, Jr., OF, 344-4-28; Ben Verducci, Sr., 1B, 314-0-25.
Key Pitchers Returning: Justin Herring, Jr., RHP, 1st team All-CC, 7-0, 1.58, 62.2 IP, 67 K, 1 HRA, 9.62 K/9; John Masella, Sr., RHP, 2nd team All-CC, 1-1, 3.05, 3 saves, 38.1 IP, 22 K; Tom Phillips, Soph., RHP, 1-0, 3.43, 21.0 IP, 13 K
Key Losses: Stephen Ridings, RHP, 2nd team All-CC, 8th round draft pick, Chicago Cubs, 6-4, 2.62, 65.1 IP, 87 K; Nick Ott, C, 319-5-15; Zach Taylor, 2B, 288-5-25, 10 SB; George Hatamiya, P, 4-1, 3.30, 30.0 IP, 26 K; Grant Finn, 4-4, 4.08, 68.1 IP, 30 K.
Outlook: The Fords reeled off seven straight wins at the end of the year to win the Centennial title for the third time. Offensively, Partee and Tyson-Lee had standout freshman campaigns, combining for nine homers and 45 RBI. The infield is set with Sohmer and Verducci on the corners with Furlong, the CC Gold Glove of the Year, at short. Herring was a first-team All-CC pitcher last spring, striking out more than a batter an inning, while Masella earned All-CC recognition after recording three saves. Haverford has qualified for the playoffs nine straight times, but has only won the title in even-numbered years (2012-14-16). The Fords have the nucleus to repeat in 2017.
Tommy Mee, Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins (28-15-2 overall, 13-4-1 CC, 1st place, 3-2 in Centennial tournament)
Head Coach: Bob Babb (Johns Hopkins '77), 38th season, 1069-398-15 (.727)
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | Last Year's Statistics
All-Time Record: 1435-946-28 (.600) since 1887
Centennial Titles (13): 1994-97-98-2001-02-03-04-07-08-09-10-11-15
Playoff Appearances (15): 2002-03-04-05-06-07-08-09-10-11-12-13-14-15-16
Preseason Poll Projection: 1st
Key Position Players Returning: Conor Reynolds, Sr., SS, 1st team All-CC, 343-5-27, 52 R, 21 XBH, 15 SB; Dan Albert, Sr., 1B, 309-9-43; Tommy Mee, Sr., OF, 297-4-21; Alex Darwiche, Jr., DH, 292-4-22; Mike Smith, Jr., 3B, 275-2-27; Ryan Orgielewicz, Sr., C, 217-5-18.
Key Pitchers Returning: Sean McCracken, Soph., RHP, 1-1, 1.82, 24.2 IP, 15 K; Preston Betz, Soph., RHP, 3-1, 2.97, 36.1 IP, 33 K; Nick Burns, Jr., LHP, 3-1, 5.22, 39.2 IP, 33 K; Josh Hejka, Soph., RHP, 0-0, 4.09, 22.0 IP, 22 K
Key Losses: Raul Shah, 2B, 1st team All-CC, 360-5-40, 40 R; Jake Enterlin, RHP, 1st team All-CC, 6-1, 1.64, 44.0 IP, 27 K; Carter Burns, RHP, 2nd team All-CC, 6-4, 3.62, 82.0 IP, 75 K; Mitch Weaver, C, 2nd team All-CC, 361-8-34; Trevor Williams, RHP, 3-4, 2.90, 40.1 IP, 30 K;
Outlook: The Blue Jays reached the final of the Centennial tournament before being ousted by Haverford. The everyday lineup pieces are there for a return to the final day, but a new pitching staff must come together for a run at Hop's 14th CC crown. Reynolds is one of the top players in the region and combines with Albert for a strong middle of the order. Mee, Darwiche and Smith will be counted on for more offense in 2017, while Orgielewicz returns behind the plate. Burns is the veteran of the mound corps and could be joined by hard-throwers in Betz, Hejka and McCracken.
Nick Valori, McDaniel
McDaniel (31-10 overall, 11-7 CC, 3rd place, 1-2 Centennial tournament)
Head Coach: Dave Seibert (McDaniel '78), 37th season, 502-505-4 (.499)
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | Last Year's Statistics
All-Time Record: 665-631-7 (.513) since 1934
Centennial Titles (0)
Playoff Appearances (4): 2003-12-15-16
Preseason Poll Projection: 9th
Key Position Players Returning: Nick Valori, Gr., OF, 356-1-30; Eric Grantland, Sr., 1B, 348-3-34; Antonio Rosanova, Jr., SS, 314-2-27, 14 SB; Tyler O'Shea, Sr., 2B, 275-1-25; Kaleb Reitz, Sr., OF, 252-3-20; Kasey Nelson, Sr., C, 298-4-22 (2015).
Key Pitchers Returning: Brad Thaxton, Soph., RHP, 4-3, 6.00, 45.0 IP, 25 K; Zach Fortuna, Soph., RHP, 3-0, 3.33, 27.0 IP, 21 K; Austin Fry, Sr., RHP, 1-0, 2.08, 17.1 IP, 9 K.
Key Losses: Zach Kronick, RHP, 1st team All-CC, Pitcher of Year, 8-2, 2.97, 78.2 IP, 98 K; Marty Windisch, 3B, 1st team All-CC, Player of Year, 429-4-47, HM All-CC as pitcher, 10-2, 1.85, 78.0 IP, 71 K; Cameron Bahr, C, 1st team All-CC, 413-4-46; Sean Sivo, OF, 323-1-29, 22 SB.
Outlook: The Green Terror had a memorable season in 2016 that ended short of the final day of the Centennial tournament. Now, the challenge is finding replacements for last season's CC Player (Windisch) and Pitcher of the Year (Kronick). Offensively, Valori, Grantland and Rosanova all hit over .300 with 25+ RBI. O'Shea and Nelson help make McDaniel strong up the middle. Thaxton is the lone returning starter and could be joined by Fortuna in the rotation. The Terror has not made the CC playoffs in three straight seasons since the adoption of the format and may be hard-pressed to make the postseason.
John Icaza, Muhlenberg
Muhlenberg (18-20 overall, 9-9 CC, 6th place)
Head Coach: Tod Gross (Shenandoah '02), 5th season, 69-79-1 (.466)
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | Last Year's Statistics
All-Time Record: 864-1167-17 (.426) since 1914
Centennial Titles (0)
Playoff Appearances (4): 2002-03-08-14
Preseason Poll Projection: 5th
Key Position Players Returning: John Icaza, Sr., OF, 1st team All-CC, 396-1-32, 18 SB; Chris Grillo, Soph., SS, 2nd team All-CC, Rookie of Year, 372-1-18; Robbie Hopes, Sr., 1B, 333-4-30; Eric Reitmeyer, Jr., OF, 296-0-12; Matt Riebesell, Soph., C, 263-1-16.
Key Pitchers Returning: Timmy Pilrun, Jr., P, 1st team All-CC, 4-1, 3.02, 56.2 IP, 64 K, 10.16 K/9; Sam Kasten, Jr., RHP, 2-4, 4.74, 49.1 IP, 37 K; Christopher Bunero, Sr., RHP, 4-2, 3.81, 3 saves, 26.0 IP, 32 K; RJ Hennessey, Soph., RHP, 1-0, 5.40, 30.0 IP, 25K.
Key Losses: Andrew Rava, 3B, 301-0-26; Tim Hofmann, LHP, 2-3, 5.40, 41.2 IP, 18 K.
Outlook: The Mules were in the playoff hunt last season and should be again with the return of some talented veterans. Icaza was named first-team All-CC, while classmate Hopes led the team in homers and was second in RBI. Grillo was the CC Rookie of the Year and led 'Berg in runs scored, while Reitmeyer and Riebesell are counted on for more offensive production in 2017. Pilrun blossomed into one of the CC's top pitchers, earning first-team All-Centennial honors. Kasten and Hennessey are hard throwers, while Bunero anchors the back end of the pen.
Ryan Burnett, Swarthmore
Swarthmore (22-17-1 overall, 6-11-1 CC, 9th place)
Head Coach: Matt Midkiff (Wilkes '04), 5th season at Swarthmore (80-67-1, .544), 9th as head coach
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2016 Statistics
All-Time Record: 593-978-9 (.378)
Centennial Titles (0)
Playoff Appearances (1): 2010
Preseason Poll Projection: 10th
Key Position Players Returning: Wesley Fishburn, Sr., SS, 336-4-22, 15 SB; Jackson Roberts, Soph., 1B, 274-0-12; Charles Levitt, Soph., OF, 271-1-14, 11 SB; Ryan Burnett, Sr., OF, 266-0-17, 16 SB; Jaron Shrock, Jr., C, 292-0-8; Conor Elliott, Soph., DH, 265-0-12.
Key Pitchers Returning: Zach Gonzalez, Soph., LHP, 1-0, 2.16, 2 saves, 16.2 IP, 14 K; Griffin Kammerer, Jr., RHP, 1-0, 3.05, 20.2 IP, 21 K; Noah Linhart, Soph., RHP, 2-1, 3.18, 34.0 IP, 23 K; Charles Groppe, Soph., RHP, 5-3, 3.33, 51.1 IP, 36 K; Jackson Ramey, Jr., RHP, 4-3, 4.82, 37.1 IP, 21 K.
Key Losses: Roy Walker, OF, 2nd team All-CC, 349-5-36, 11 SB; Nate Booth, P, HM All-CC, 5-5, 2.06, 70.0 IP, 35 K; Brian Gibbs, LHP, 4-3, 3.07, 58.2 IP, 64 K; Nico Aldaco, 2B, 274-2-13; Aidan Miller, Sr., RHP, 0-1, 6.23, 4 saves, 17.1 IP, 31 K.
Outlook: The Garnet went 16-6-1 out of Conference and just 6-11-1 inside the league. Those numbers have to improve if Swat can hope to make its first Centennial playoff appearance since 2010. Fishburn is one of the top shortstops in the CC and looks for a big senior season along with Burnett. The speedy duo combined for 31 steals a year ago. The sophomore class saw a lot of action last spring and is hoping the experience bears fruit in 2017. Groppe was 5-3 with a 3.33 ERA as a rookie, while Linhart and Gonzalez each saw action in 10 games. The Garnet may still be a year away, depending on how quickly the youngsters come along.
Seth Regensburg, Ursinus
Ursinus (16-23 overall, 2-16 CC, 10th place)
Head Coach: Stan Exeter (Lafayette '92), 5th season at Ursinus (58-82, .414), 21st overall
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2016 Statistics
All-Time Record: 1166-1169-24 (.499) since 1888
Centennial Titles (3): 1996-99-2000
Playoff Appearances (6): 2002-03-04-07-09-11
Preseason Poll Projection: 8th
Key Position Players Returning: Alex Campbell, Sr., C, 313-1-16; Jay Farrell, Sr., OF, 314-0-20; CJ Diana, Sr., 2B, 279-2-14; Vincent Terry, Sr., C, 289-0-12; Kieran Geyer, Sr., SS, 262-1-23.
Key Pitchers Returning: Pierce Greenleaf, Jr., RHP, 2-1, 2.97, 30.1 IP, 26 K; Seth Regensburg, Sr., LHP, 3-4, 4.14, 50.0 IP, 70 K, 12.60 K/9; Matt Radwanski, 0-3, 4.31, 3 saves, 31.1 IP, 14 K; David Drea, Soph., LHP, 2-2, 5.54, 26.0 IP, 19 K; Lou Aikins, Jr., RHP, 2-6, 6.69, 39.0 IP, 15 K.
Key Losses: Chris Jablonski, 1B, 1st team All-CC, 341-5-29, 12 SB; Sean Pisik, RHP, 4-3, 2.62, 65.1 IP, 58 K; Jose Colon, OF, 253-0-7, 12 SB.
Outlook: The Bears struggled in the Centennial after posting a 14-7 non-conference mark. Regensburg is one of the top lefties in the Conference and struck out 12.60 batters per nine innings in 2017. Drea and Aikins combined for 16 starts last spring, while Greenleaf is also a hard thrower. Offensively, Ursinus must improve upon its team batting average (.273, 9th) and runs scored (196, 9th) from a year ago. Campbell and Farrell both hit over .300, while Diana and Geyer both displayed some pop from their middle infield spots. UC has not qualified for the Centennial tournament since 2011 and may be hard-pressed to make the field in 2017.
Billy Griffin, Washington College
Washington College (26-12-1 overall, 10-8 CC, 5th place)
Head Coach: Matt Reynolds (Massachusetts '05), 3rd season (44-27-1, .618)
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | 2016 Statistics
All-Time Record: 1147-1035-25 (.525) since 1871
Centennial Titles (0)
Playoff Appearances (2): 2010-12
Preseason Poll Projection: 6th
Key Position Players Returning: Aaron Barclay, Soph., DH, 2nd team All-CC, 327-5-26, 1.006 OPS; Wes Robertson, Jr., C, 331-1-17; Evan Hirschbaum, Sr., 1B, 342-5-32; Matt Tancredi, Jr., OF, 260-0-17; Luke D'Ostilio, Soph., 2B, 258-1-17; Charlie Meder, Sr., OF, 257-3-27; Joe Lozupone, Jr., SS, 241-1-9.
Key Pitchers Returning: Billy Griffin, Sr., RHP, HM All-CC, 4-1, 2.52, 39.1 IP, 30 K; P.J. Mikulus, Jr., P, 4-1, 2.20, 45.0 IP, 31 K, 1.00 WHIP; Nick Popolizio, Jr., P, 3-1, 1.97, 32.0 IP, 19 K; Mike Bartels, Jr., RHP, 2-1, 4.09, 4 saves, 22.0 IP, 15 K; Brian Kasey, Jr., RHP, 1-3, 4.67, 54.0 IP, 35 K
Key Losses: Bryan Baquer, OF, 1st team All-CC, 415-4-25, 10 SB; Dan Jarrell, LHP, 3-2, 3.34, 29.2 IP, 21 K; John Beck, RHP, 4-1, 5.12, 31.2 IP, 15 K.
Outlook: The Shoremen went 1-3 in the final week of the season to miss out on the playoffs. The pieces are in place for a return to the postseason for the first time since 2012. Barclay was a second-team All-CC selection after posting a 1.006 OPS. Hirschbaum launched five homers and hit over .300 along with Robertson. WAC is strong up the middle with the return of D'Ostilio and Lozupone. Griffin and Mikulus anchor the pitching staff, while Bartels saved four games on the back end. Washington College will not sneak up on anyone and will be a factor in the playoff chase this spring.