BB: ODAC: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

fightingquaker1 · January 29, 2009, 12:12:04 AM

No problem A.G., notice the board was a little quiet so I thought I would join. Should be an interesting year in the ODAC...

fightingquaker1 · January 30, 2009, 06:00:51 PM

Piedmont travels to Guilford next weekend and Virginia Wesleyan hosts Salisbury. Two big out of conference openers....also Lynchburg heads down to Greensboro. What are the thoughts on these series?

A.G. · January 30, 2009, 10:03:34 PM

Those are some nice games...and hopefully the ODAC teams will be ready to make an early season statement.

Piedmont may be a favorite to return to the South Regional tournament this year, and will bring a scrappy team into McBane Field. If the wind is blowing out, then that game may feature more scoring than the Super Bowl.

Although LC returns a lot of players, and it appears GC has brought in a number of new faces for this year. These games always seem to be close with a key defensive play making a difference.

The feature match-up HAS to be Salisbury at VWC. VWC gave the 'Gulls its only loss in last year's opener before Salisbury went on that ridiculous winning streak in 08.

fightingquaker1 · February 02, 2009, 12:55:53 AM

A.G., some very good points. This time of year, pitching USUALLY tops hitting. And of course defense will play a key role. I think the Quakers will be lucky to take one from Piedmont. I just think LC's experience gives the advantage over GC. GC may have new talent, but they haven't proved anything yet. Salisbury did have a great year last year, but I like VWC at home. I'm excited A.G., great time of the year!!!

A.G. · February 03, 2009, 08:31:32 AM

The South Region Preview...including a discussion of the ODAC...is not up:

http://www.d3baseball.com/notables/2009/02/03/south-crown-up-for-grabs.html

fightingquaker1 · February 03, 2009, 02:51:59 PM

Thanks A.G. Good read. Not too much information, but any publicity for the ODAC is a positive. I'm so ready for the season start. Maybe the ODAC can get 2 teams in the regionals. Not impossible, just need two teams with 30 wins...

A.G. · February 03, 2009, 04:03:15 PM

Got two in last year...and 3 years ago as Bridgewater got an at-large. The key is going to win those non-conf regional games.

fightingquaker1 · February 04, 2009, 12:46:49 AM

Very true A.G. Those ODAC-USA South matchups become so important to a team's regional chances....

A.G. · February 04, 2009, 08:18:16 AM

Quote from: fightingquaker1 on February 04, 2009, 12:46:49 AM
Very true A.G. Those ODAC-USA South matchups become so important to a team's regional chances....

For the most part, the ODAC, as a whole, has taken it on the chin in the mid-week games...especially since the USASAC has gone from a 3 to a 2 game conference series.

Catfishncwc · February 04, 2009, 09:37:36 AM

VWC game versus SSU this weekend will be a good test. I think Bulman will give SSU all they can handle.

fightingquaker1 · February 04, 2009, 06:47:27 PM

Does Randolph-Macon have anything this year? Just trying to do a little scouting

A.G. · February 05, 2009, 12:51:00 PM

Quote from: fightingquaker1 on February 04, 2009, 06:47:27 PM
Does Randolph-Macon have anything this year? Just trying to do a little scouting

Let's see. They have their ENTIRE TEAM BACK...plus rumors of a couple of transfers. I'd say they have a heck of a lot this year.

Hopefully the official ODAC predictions will be out by this time next week...and I figure preseason votes will be split between R-MC and LC, with VWC getting some nods.

A.G. · February 05, 2009, 03:40:51 PM

I was close on my above prediction...

http://odac.bridgewater.edu/spring/base/base_09preseasonpoll.html

QuoteRandolph-Macon Picked to Repeat in ODAC Baseball Poll

Va. Wesleyan, Lynchburg Round Out Top Three

February 5, 2009

SALEM, Va. --- Randolph-Macon College received 92 total poll points in the 2009 ODAC Baseball Preseason Poll as the Yellow Jackets were picked as the favorites to repeat as conference champions. R-MC also received six of the ten first place nods in the annual survey of the league's coaches. Following closely behind is Virginia Wesleyan College with 88 total markers and one first place tally. Lynchburg College received three votes for the top spot and sits just two total poll points behind VWC.

Randolph-Macon claimed its third ODAC baseball title and closed its season with a 25-17 overall record and 12-6 in league competition. The Yellow Jackets proved best in the field, leading the league with a .962 fielding percentage. They made the second fewest errors (58), coming up just short of Washington and Lee's 52 miscues. R-MC was also ranked third with a .325 batting average. First Team All-ODAC selection, Mike Wallace, led the ODAC with a .438 batting average to go long with five homers and 43 runs batted in. Wallace returns for his junior season along with fellow First Team All-ODAC pick, Greg Meleski (.394 BA, 65 H, 41 RBI). Back to solidify the starting rotation is 2008 ODAC Co-Pitcher and Co-Rookie of the Year, Byron Mendenhall. He posted a 7-1 record with a 2.33 earned run average and 71 strikeouts in 69.2 innings of work. Senior Nick Simons (2-0, 1.69) adds to the pitching stables.

Virginia Wesleyan (26-14-1, 13-5 ODAC) boasted the league's top pitching staff with a 3.48 team earned run average. ODAC Co-Rookie and Co-Pitcher of the Year, Gary Bulman, headed up the rotation. He finished with an 8-0 record and a 2.12 ERA, good for fourth in the league. He fanned 54 batters in 59.1 innings on the hill, allowing only 40 hits. Senior C.J. Rhodes is the top bat returning for the Marlins. Last season, he hit at a .367 clip with four homeruns and 43 RBI. All-ODAC Second Team selection, Phil Cadle (.347 BA, .956 FLD%), is a solid performer both at the dish and in the field.

Lynchburg (32-13, 15-3 ODAC) will have to replace the production of former player of the year, Ronnie Labrie (.428, 7 HR, 45 RBI, 31 SB), and fellow first teamer, Jon Crews (.374, 7, 59), following graduation. Right-hander, Joe Devlin, and third baseman, Jeff Taylor, both return following All-ODAC First Team seasons. Devlin led the league with a 9-0 record and a 1.02 earned run average. A control pitcher, Devlin walked only 16 batters in 70.1 innings. Taylor finished ninth in the conference with a .392 batting average with 42 RBI and 25 stolen bases in 30 attempts.

Listed below is the 2009 ODAC Baseball Preseason Poll. To learn more about ODAC Baseball, visit any of the participating schools' websites or the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.

2009 ODAC Baseball Preseason Poll

(#) denotes first place votes

1. Randolph-Macon (6) 92 pts.
2. Virginia Wesleyan (1) 88 pts.
3. Lynchburg (3) 86 pts.
4. Bridgewater 71 pts.
5. Washington and Lee 61 pts.
6. Hampden-Sydney 42 pts.
7. Roanoke 40 pts.
8. Guilford 34 pts.
9. Eastern Mennonite 19 pts.
10. Emory & Henry 17 pts.

Catfishncwc · February 05, 2009, 05:36:48 PM

any other poster out here going to be at the VWC vs. SSU game on saturday. I will be their up in the stands I will be the guy with the radar gun and something like a Braves hat or windbreaker. Would like to talk and meet with some fellow posters.

A.G. · February 07, 2009, 10:13:11 PM

Quote from: A.G. on January 30, 2009, 10:03:34 PM
Piedmont may be a favorite to return to the South Regional tournament this year, and will bring a scrappy team into McBane Field. If the wind is blowing out, then that game may feature more scoring than the Super Bowl.

Hate to quote myself...but WHOLE LEE KRAPP...
...Guilford wins 19-18!
http://www.guilford.edu/sports/Baseball/2009/HTML/gcb-01.htm

6 home runs...wind had to be blowing out!