Preseason Coaches Poll | Record Book
Billy O'Neil, Dickinson
Dickinson (20-20 overall, 7-11 CC, 7th place)
Head Coach: Craig Hanson (Middlebury '03), 12th season, 182-217-2 (.456)
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All-Time Record: 886-1368-24 (.394) since 1886
Centennial Titles (0)
Playoff Appearances (1): 2004
Preseason Poll Projection: 7th
Key Position Players Returning: Max Matilsky, Soph., 2B, 325-2-18, 1st team All-CC; Robbie Thompson, Sr., DH, 347-1-21, 2nd team All-CC; Max Brown, Jr., SS, 276-1-8; Ben Carter, Jr., C, 340-3-6.
Key Pitchers Returning: Billy O'Neil, Sr., RHP, 8-1, 2.14 ERA, 1st team All-CC; Reid Collins, Sr., RHP, 1-2, 1.55 ERA, 5 saves, 2nd team All-CC; Ethan Collins, Soph., LHP, 2-2, 4.43 ERA; Ben Rappaport, Jr., RHP, 2-4, 5.36 ERA, 9.00 K/9.
Key Losses: Rick Hopkins, C, 299-3-28, 2nd team All-CC; Stephen Sakowicz, OF, 290-0-19-11 SB; Austin Sumners, OF, 291-2-15-11 SB; Ryan Vasel, Jr., LHP, 4-4, 3.95 ERA.
Outlook: The Red Devils have not made the CC playoffs since 2004 but may have the pitching depth to make a run at snapping that streak this spring. O'Neil led the Centennial in wins a year ago and big things are expected in 2018. Reid Collins led the CC in ERA and was second in saves last spring, while Ethan Collins and Rappaport look to break out this season. Dickinson is solid up the middle with Brown, Matilsky and Carter, while Thompson is a veteran bat in the middle of the lineup. The Devils will need some young players to step up and deliver but should be in the playoff hunt come May.
Mike Androconis, Franklin & Marshall
Franklin & Marshall (21-18-1 overall, 9-8-1 CC, 5th place)
Head Coach: Ryan Horning (St. Lawrence '04), 5th season, 79-74-2 (.516)
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All-Time Record: 1015-1221-26 (.454) 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: 3rd
Key Position Players Returning: Justin Cavegn, Soph., SS, 315-1-14; Jimmy Whelan, Sr., IF, 273-0-17.
Key Pitchers Returning: Mike Androconis, Sr., RHP, 5-2, 2.92 ERA, 10.07 K/9, 2nd team All-CC; Danny Blugis, Jr., RHP, 1-0, 1.06 ERA, 4 saves, 11.12 K/9, 267-1-11 (at C), HM All-CC; Jonathan Cole, Soph., RHP, 4-3, 2.85 ERA; Andrew Mascis, Sr., RHP, 2-3, 4.04 ERA; Jack Buckley, Soph., LHP, 1-3, 6.44 ERA.
Key Losses: Christopher Vincent, 1B, 308-3-36, 2nd team All-CC; Reed Williams, 2B, 333-0-11, 2nd team All-CC; David Iacobucci, OF, 411-4-31-12 SB, 2nd team All-CC; Tyler Daley, OF, 443-0-14; Casey Bulik, IF, 237-2-11; Sam Ackerman, RHP, 1-2, 3.86 ERA.
Outlook: The Diplomats just missed out on the playoffs a year ago and will turn to a veteran pitching corps in an attempt to make the tournament in 2018. Androconis is a hard-throwing righty and will anchor the staff. Cole had a strong rookie campaign, while Blugis had four saves while striking out 1.2 batters per inning out of the closer role. Experience is in short supply on the offensive side, with the return of just three starters in Cavegn, Whelan and Blugis. F&M will most likely go as far as its pitching staff takes it this spring.
Chuck Probst, Gettysburg
Gettysburg (22-17-2 overall, 10-8 CC, T-3rd place, 0-2 in CC tournament)
Head Coach: John Campo (Delaware '77), 32nd season, 586-524-14 (.528)
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All-Time Record: 1330-1135-31 (.540) since 1865
Centennial Titles (0)
Playoff Appearances (6): 2005-07-13-14-16-17
Preseason Poll Projection: 6th
Key Position Players Returning: Chuck Probst, Sr., OF, 394-7-33, 1st team All-CC, 1st team All-Region; Logan Sneed, Sr., 3B, 315-0-20; Joe Giovinco, Soph., IF, 290-0-17; Dominick Gasparro, Soph., OF, 262-3-25; Tyler Mitchell, Soph., IF/OF, 255-0-14.
Key Pitchers Returning: Brad DeMartino, Sr., LHP, 5-2, 2.55 ERA, 8.66 K/9, 2nd team All-CC.
Key Losses: Chase Stopyra, RHP, 4-0, 1.93 ERA, 1st team All-CC, CC Pitcher of the Year; Connor Tom, OF, 358-3-39, HM All-CC; Will Anderson, C, 319-2-29; J.J. Lucido, DH, 299-2-29; Aaron Bezio, RHP, 0-3, 5.01 ERA, 5 saves, 11.57 K/9; Rich Power, LHP, 3-1, 2.65 ERA, 10.85 K/9; Eric Brown, 2-4, 5.98 ERA.
Outlook: The Bullets have made the Conference playoffs in four of the last five seasons and have the nucleus to continue that streak in 2018. Probst is one of the top players in the region and looks to build upon his breakout 2017 season. Gasparro has some pop in his bat, while Sneed, Giovinco and Mitchell have experience in the infield. DeMartino is one of the top pitchers in the CC. Gettysburg needs some young arms to step up and make noise. How quickly that occurs may make the difference between a playoff spot and an early end to the season for the Orange and Blue.
Ethan Lee-Tyson, Haverford
Haverford (20-16-1 overall, 10-7-1 CC, 2nd place, 1-2 in Centennial tournament)
Head Coach: Dave Beccaria (Johns Hopkins '96), 18th season, 371-267-4 (.581)
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All-Time Record: 814-1105-19 since 1920 (.425)
Centennial Titles (3): 2012-14-16
Playoff Appearances (12): 2005-06-08-09-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17
Preseason Poll Projection: 2nd
Key Position Players Returning: Ethan Lee-Tyson, Jr., OF, 400-8-32-18 SB, 1st team All-CC; Ben Furlong, Sr., SS, 301-10-37-12 SB, 2nd team All-CC; Will Karp, Soph., 2B, 243-1-14-15 SB; Spencer Sohmer, Sr., 3B, 288-5-34-18 SB; Sam Partee, Jr., C/1B, 344-6-33; Matt Goss, Sr., OF, 274-5-16; Harrison Burns, Soph., OF/2B, 327-0-12-12 SB.
Key Pitchers Returning: Brandon Jenkins, Soph., LHP, 3-1, 3.06 ERA; Dylan Livingston, Soph., RHP, 4-1, 3.04 ERA; Tom Phillips, Jr., RHP, 2-2, 4.03 ERA; Patrick O'Shea, Sr., RHP, 2-1, 5.31 ERA; Justin Herring, Sr., RHP, 7-0, 1.58 ERA, 9.62 K/9 (2016).
Key Losses: Ben Verducci, 1B, 333-1-14; Jared Deveau, LHP, 3-3, 2.48 ERA; John Masella, RHP, 1-2, 7.65 ERA.
Outlook: The Fords ran their playoff streak to 10 straight seasons and are poised to extend that number this spring. Haverford may have the most experienced position players in the CC, headed by All-CC selections Lee-Tyson and Furlong. Sohmer, Partee and Goss combined for 16 HR and 83 RBI, while Karp and Burns combined for 27 SB. Herring looks to bounce back after an injury-plagued 2017 and anchors a talented young staff that includes Jenkins and Livingston. The Fords' three Centennial titles all came in even-numbered years (2012-14-16). There is reason to believe that Haverford can make it four crowns in 2018.
Alex Ross, Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins (38-8 overall, 17-1 CC, 1st place, 3-0 in Centennial tournament, 2-2 in NCAA regional)
Head Coach: Bob Babb (Johns Hopkins '77), 39th season, 1108-406-15 (.730)
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All-Time Record: 1473-958-28 (.605) since 1887
Centennial Titles (14): 1994-97-98-2001-02-03-04-07-08-09-10-11-15-17
Playoff Appearances (16): 2002-03-04-05-06-07-08-09-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17
Preseason Poll Projection: 1st
Key Position Players Returning: Mike Smith, Sr., 3B, 350-3-34, 1st team All-CC; Mike Eberle, Soph., IF, 300-1-17; Alex Darwiche, Sr., C, 257-3-22; Dillon Bowman, Soph., SS, 250-4-14.
Key Pitchers Returning: Alex Ross, Sr., LHP, 3-2, 3.18 ERA, 11.49 K/9, 1st team All-CC; Josh Hejka, Jr., RHP, 4-1, 2.04 ERA, 6 saves, 1st team All-CC; Nick Bodner, Sr., RHP, 5-0, 3.40 ERA, HM All-CC; Harrison Folk, Jr., RHP, 3-0, 1.31 ERA; Preston Betz, Jr., RHP, 5-2, 3.06 ERA; Jack Bunting, Jr., RHP, 3-1, 3.35 ERA; John Donohue, Jr., LHP, 3-0, 3.38 ERA, 10.97 K/9; Sean McCracken, Jr., RHP, 3-2, 3.91 ERA.
Key Losses: Conor Reynolds, SS, 366-9-33-13 SB, 1st team All-CC, CC Player of the Year; Ryan Orgielewicz, C, 403-13-56, 1st team All-CC; Brian Lin, OF, 333-0-30-12 SB, 2nd team All-CC; Tommy Mee, Sr., OF, 325-5-19; Joe Conlon, IF, 311-3-23; Jon Hayden, 269-3-20; Cameron Mineo, 7-0, 1.01 ERA, 9.45 K/9.
Outlook: The Blue Jays rolled to their 14th Centennial title and have the pitching in place to make it 15 this spring. Ross may be the best lefty in the CC, while Bodner and Betz combined for 10 wins. Hejka led the Conference with six saves on his way to 1st team All-CC honors. Smith is the offensive leader at the hot corner. Darwiche is a veteran presence behind the plate, while Eberle and Bowman will be counted on for big things this spring. Hopkins is poised to make a run at its first back-to-back crowns since 2007-11.
Antonio Rosanova, McDaniel
McDaniel (13-22 overall, 5-13 CC, 10th place)
Head Coach: Dave Seibert (McDaniel '78), 38th season, 515-527-4 (.494)
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | Statistics
All-Time Record: 678-654-7 (.509) since 1934
Centennial Titles (0)
Playoff Appearances (4): 2003-12-15-16
Preseason Poll Projection: T-9th
Key Position Players Returning: Antonio Rosanova, Sr., SS, 340-1-24-24 SB; Kasey Nelson, Sr., C, 336-5-33; Tim Griest, Soph., OF, 306-1-7; Mike Dunn, Sr., OF, 286-0-13.
Key Pitchers Returning: Zach Fortuna, Jr., RHP, 3-7, 4.50 ERA, 7.17 K/9; Jordan Rhodes, Soph., RHP, 2-3, 6.45 ERA; Robbie Mays, Jr., RHP, 3-2, 6.81 ERA; Brad Thaxton, Jr., RHP, 4-3, 7.13 ERA.
Key Losses: Nick Valori, OF, 419-5-26, 1st team All-CC; Tyler O'Shea, 2B, 279-0-17, HM All-CC; Chris Morris, IF, 352-0-13; Eric Grantland, 1B, 307-3-24; Michael Gallagher, 3B, 288-0-11.
Outlook: The Green Terror could not make the playoffs for a third straight season but look to recapture the magic with the return of four starters on offense. Rosanova hit .340 and led the CC in steals (24), while Nelson provides the big bat in the middle. Fortuna, Thaxton and Mays are the veterans on the mound corps. McDaniel looks to send Seibert off in retirement with a playoff berth.
Timmy Pilrun, Muhlenberg
Muhlenberg (16-21 overall, 6-12 CC, T-8th place)
Head Coach: Tod Gross (Shenandoah '02), 6th season, 85-100-1 (.460)
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | Statistics
All-Time Record: 880-1188-17 (.426) since 1914
Centennial Titles (0)
Playoff Appearances (4): 2002-03-08-14
Preseason Poll Projection: 8th
Key Position Players Returning: Stephen Koester, Jr., C, 313-1-14; Chris Grillo, Jr., SS, 294-1-16; Matt Riebesell, Jr., C, 288-1-26; Eric Reitmeyer, Sr., OF, 286-0-9.
Key Pitchers Returning: RJ Hennessey, Jr., RHP, 2-3, 3.95 ERA; Timmy Pilrun, Sr., LHP, 2-2, 4.32 ERA; Sam Kasten, Sr., RHP, 1-4, 4.96 ERA, 9.23 K/9; Matthew D'Ambrosia, Soph., RHP, 1-2, 5.88 ERA, 8.49 K/9.
Key Losses: Robbie Hopes, DH, 358-6-20, 1st team All-CC; John Icaza, OF, 284-5-21; Thomas Yohe, 1B, 265-0-14; Christopher Bunero, RHP, 3-1, 2.12 ERA, 4 saves, 9.53 K/9.
Outlook: The Mules have missed out on the playoffs in each of the last three seasons and will count on a veteran pitching staff to get back to the Final Four. Pilrun, Kasten and Hennessey are mainstays on the mound, while D'Ambrosia is a hard-throwing righty. Grillo will set the table in front of Riebesell and Koester, while Reitmeyer is being counted on for a big senior season. If youngsters can step into the everyday lineup and make contributions, 'Berg will be in the hunt come May.
Charles Levitt, Swarthmore
Swarthmore (16-22 overall, 9-9 CC, 6th place)
Head Coach: Matt Midkiff (Wilkes '04), 6th season at Swarthmore (96-89-1, .519), 10th as head coach
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | Statistics
All-Time Record: 609-1000-9 (.378)
Centennial Titles (0)
Playoff Appearances (1): 2010
Preseason Poll Projection: 5th
Key Position Players Returning: Cole Beeker, Soph., 1B, 317-0-30, HM All-CC; Conor Elliott, Jr., DH, 343-3-34; Charles Levitt, Jr., OF, 292-2-24-16 SB; AJ Liu, Soph., OF, 302-0-10-12 SB; Matt Palmer, Sr., IF, 275-0-10.
Key Pitchers Returning: Sawyer Lake, Soph., LHP, 4-3, 2.50 ERA, 9.00 K/9, HM All-CC; Ryan Warm, Soph., LHP, 2-2, 3.94 ERA; Noah Linhart, Jr., RHP, 2-4, 3.55 ERA; Griffin Kammerer, Sr., RHP, 1-1, 4.63 ERA, 3 saves, 9.26 K/9; Charles Groppe, Jr., RHP, 2-4, 4.66 ERA.
Key Losses: Wes Fishburn, 3B, 455-3-18, 2nd team All-CC; Ryan Burnett, OF, 264-0-10; Max Grullon, SS, 327-1-20;
Outlook: The Garnet was knocking on the door of the CC playoffs last spring and look to knock that door down in 2018. Lake and Warm had strong rookie campaigns on the mound, while Linhart and Groppe provide depth in front of Kammerer. Elliott and Levitt combined for 5 HR and 58 RBI a year ago and lead the offense, while Beeker and Liu look to improve upon impressive freshman seasons. Swarthmore will contend for a playoff spot this season.
Carter Usowski, Ursinus
Ursinus (25-16 overall, 10-8 CC, T-3rd place, 2-2 in Centennial tournament)
Head Coach: Stan Exeter (Lafayette '92), 6th season at Ursinus (83-98, .459), 22nd overall
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | Statistics
All-Time Record: 1191-1185-24 (.501) since 1888
Centennial Titles (3): 1996-99-2000
Playoff Appearances (7): 2002-03-04-07-09-11-17
Preseason Poll Projection: 4th
Key Position Players Returning: Travis Kozak, Sr., OF, 349-0-16, 2nd team All-CC; Carter Usowski, Jr., SS, 351-2-33, HM All-CC; Alex Mumme, Soph., OF, 417-4-26, HM All-CC; Dom Fiorentino, Soph., OF, 250-0-18.
Key Pitchers Returning: Pierce Greenleaf, Sr., RHP, 5-3, 4.37 ERA; David Drea, Jr., LHP, 4-2, 3.86 ERA.
Key Losses: Austin Kurey, 1B, 312-4-24, 1st team All-CC; Seth Regensburg, LHP, 7-2, 3.11 ERA, 8.96 K/9, 2nd team All-CC; Alex Campbell, 3B, 351-4-32, HM All-CC; CJ Diana, DH, 299-1-14-11 SB; Vincent Terry, C, 347-0-14; Kieran Geyer, Sr., 2B, 284-3-20; Lou Aikins, RHP, 1-1, 2.70 ERA, 4 saves, 10.80 K/9; Brandon Weidenfeld, LHP, 1-0, 2.45 ERA; Matt Radwanski, RHP, 1-3, 3.58 ERA.
Outlook: The Bears got back to the Conference playoffs for the first time since 2011 last spring and made it to Sunday's Game 6 before falling to Hopkins in extras. A veteran group was lost to graduation and a return trip to the tournament could be a year away. Kozak is an excellent table-setter for Usowski and Mumme, who combined for 59 RBI last season. Greenleaf and Drea will anchor the mound corps, but some young arms will need to step up and contribute.
Sean Weiss, Washington College
Washington College (15-23 overall, 6-12 CC, T-8th place)
Head Coach: Cory Beddick (Gettysburg '10), 1st season at WAS; 4th as head coach
Team Page | Roster | Schedule | Statistics
All-Time Record: 1162-1058-25 (.523) since 1871
Centennial Titles (0)
Playoff Appearances (2): 2010-12
Preseason Poll Projection: T-9th
Key Position Players Returning: Matt Trancredi, Sr., OF, 315-0-13; Ryan Zwier, Soph., C, 315-3-11; Luke D'Ostilio, Jr., 2B, 290-1-16; Joe Lozupone, Sr., SS, 233-0-10; Aaron Barclay, Jr., 3B, 228-0-17; Evan Hirschbaum, Sr., 1B, 273-2-17;
Key Pitchers Returning: Sean Weiss, Sr., RHP, 2-0, 4.87 ERA; Nick Roberti, Jr., RHP, 1-3, 5.20 ERA; P.J. Mikulus, Sr., LHP, 1-3, 5.23 ERA; Billy Benson, Jr., RHP, 2-2, 6.53 ERA; Brian Kasey, Sr., RHP, 1-3, 4.67 ERA (2016).
Key Losses: Wes Robertson, C, 333-1-19; Charlie Meder, OF, 271-4-28; Billy Griffin, LHP, 4-3, 3.73 ERA, 12.08 K/9; Logan Dubbe, RHP, 3-4, 2.58 ERA, 9.46 K/9.
Outlook: The Shoremen begin a new era under Beddick who has the nucleus in place to make a run at the playoffs for the first time since 2012. A veteran quartet of pitchers return, as Mikulus, Roberti and Benson combined for 18 starts in 2017, while Weiss is a hard-thrower on the back end. WAC will be strong up the middle with D'Ostilio, Lozupone and Zwier, while Hirschbaum and Barclay will man the corners. Trancredi is the veteran in the outfield. The Shoremen will be in contention for a playoff spot come May.