BB: USAC: USA South Athletic Conference

[rolln2]

I'm absolutely surprise to not see Shenandoah in the top 30...They seem to reload real well every year and develop their JV team to compete at a high level.  I'm a NCWC fan but actually think CNU may be a bit low at #4.

I will say I agree w/ your SU thoughts.  But I don't really think #4 is to low for CNU as they were ranked #1 for the last month of the season. You can't take all that away for two bad games at the end.  Considering they only lost a starting RF, and one starting Pitcher from the team that went 39-7.

[LTBB1971]

From looking at Shenandoah's 2012 roster I only see one key additions in JR RHP Brent Bertschinger (transfer Hagerstown CC).  The remaining reinforcements look like will come from incoming freshman and JV callups.  Will be interesting to see what coach Anderson puts on the field.

[D-BAT]

From looking at Shenandoah's 2012 roster I only see one key additions in JR RHP Brent Bertschinger (transfer Hagerstown CC).  The remaining reinforcements look like will come from incoming freshman and JV callups.  Will be interesting to see what coach Anderson puts on the field.

Yes, it will be very interesting.  They did graduate a ton of talent but many opportunities for others to win positions!  They may have lost a key starter on the bump, will have to wait and see until the 1st weekend of games if it holds true.

After talking with an ODAC coach, as he stated, CNU is loaded with talent and enough talent to make a serious run at a Nat'l title.  IMHO, the USAS title is for CNU's to lose.

[PNeal7]

I agree with you D-Bat.

I think CNU will have a good advantage too in not buying into the preseason hype and pressure of being labeled as a Nat'l Title contender. I know the coaching staff and players well, and they will certainly keep it loose and lively on and off the field. With the level of experience they have, they won't face any obstacle that 8 out of 9 starters haven't seen before.

[D-BAT]

SU's roster looks to be pretty balanced:

- 12 SR's
- 12 JR's
- 12 SO's
- 15 FR's

http://suhornets.com/sports/bsb/2011-12/roster

[Boysofsummer21]

Well let's see, bitterly cold last night with flurries and the holiday season is over... Well must be time for college baseball! Ok with players getting ready to head back and start the season prep I am hoping that everyone has a great new year and all the players have the season they hope for. Looking at some of the schedules I am always amazed at CNU's ability to line up quality opponents. Methodist looks to do a nice job of building into the strength of their schedule and Shenandoah starts the season on a tough note.  After reading the pre-season poll I was really surprise of the lack of USA South teams. Shenandoah left off? Really as well as they reload and their ability to groom talent to be ready to step into the lineup year after year. And then no love for Methodist, with a couple of breaks last year they were right there. Anyone have predictions on pre-season All-Americans?

[D-BAT]

Reason why SU is not in top 20, most likely the pollsters took noticed on the amount of talent that they lost. 

[D-BAT]

A good reason why CNU will compete for Nat'l title, two preseason All-Americans plus they have everyone but 1 guy back, if I recall correctly.

http://d3baseball.com/awards/all-americans/d3baseball-preseason-allamericans-2012

[Boysofsummer21]

A good reason why CNU will compete for Nat'l title, two preseason All-Americans plus they have everyone but 1 guy back, if I recall correctly.

http://d3baseball.com/awards/all-americans/d3baseball-preseason-allamericans-2012

Congrats to Madden, Shoemaker, Such and Scallion.

[rolln2]

Great honor and congrats to the three pre-season all-americans in Madden, Shoemaker and Scallion.  But how does the Fleischmann kid from CNU get left off w/ the best closer numbers in the conference a year ago.  No disrespect to Scallion, but Fleischmanns' numbers were better.  So I think both are deserving to be on the pre-season team.

[D-BAT]

SU opened practice today on Shentel's stadium turf field.

Coach Anderson's give his perspective on the team for this spring.

Here's the direct link:
http://www.tv3winchester.com/sports/headlines/SU_Baseball_Kicks_Off_2012_Season_With_First_Practice_137544068.html

[PNeal7]

Congrats to Connor and Matt, along with Such and Scallion as well. While I did not think CNU would be able to do it last year, they really can't hide Connor down in the 9 hole this year. When you put up two seasons in a row like he has, you aren't going to be able to hide anywhere in the lineup.

For those who have better information into CNU than I do, what is their lineup going to look like? I would think Mark, Steele, Shoemaker, Madden; but then again, they also have Lindenmuth, Saunders, and Keener who would hit 3-4-5 for almost every team in the conference. Any thoughts?

[rolln2]

Thanks PNeal7.  I forgot about Such, so that makes four all-americans to represent the conference to start off the year.  Congrats to Such as I left him off.

[D-BAT]

Christopher Newport Tabbed as USA South Baseball Preseason Favorite


(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.)- Christopher Newport University, under the direction of 12th-year Head Coach John Harvell, was picked to win the USA South Athletic Conference 2012 baseball title in the preseason coaches' poll. The Captains are the defending USA South Tournament champions but have not won a regular season crown since 2008. Preseason expectations are high for CNU as Collegiate Baseball News placed the Captains fourth in its national preseason poll.

The Captains received six of seven first-place votes (36 points) as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

Defending USA South Regular Season champion, Shenandoah University, finished second in the balloting with 31 points and the final first-place vote. Methodist University placed third in the poll with 26 points while Averett University received 17 points to finish fourth. N.C. Wesleyan College, Ferrum College and Greensboro College, respectfully, rounded out the voting.

The 2012 campaign gets underway on Saturday, February 4th as Ferrum, Greensboro and Methodist are in action. The USA South Tournament will be played April 12th - 15th in Burlington, N.C. at the Burlington Athletic Stadium.

2012 USA South Baseball Coaches Poll
Rank   Institution (1st Place Votes)   Pts.
1.   Christopher Newport (6)   36
2.   Shenandoah (1)   31
3.   Methodist   26
4.   Averett   17
5.   N.C. Wesleyan   14
6.   Ferrum   12
7.   Greensboro   11

[D-BAT]

It was said to me, watch out for Averett and I asked why?

Most of their lineup is back and their weekend rotation is too. That LHP that threw on Sunday for them last year is pretty good!  They'll miss Higgins in leadoff spot, but they have a decent bullpen as well! USA South is down other than CNU. Its not a stretch to see Averett getting the 2 seed.