BB: USAC: USA South Athletic Conference

[WMSBRGFan]

Ok now that everyone is back in school and starting to get to work preparing for the season is everyone as excited to get baseball started as I am?

[narch]

Methodist - SO 1B Trey Such, SR 2B Brian Halpin, JR SS Brian Inghram (will be a strong POTY candidate...should have been POTY last year, in my opinion...has something to prove), SR RHP Landon Jordan, SR RHP Alex Sholar

don't forget JR OF Tripp Lancaster...he hit .344 with 32 rbi's and 26 sb, and played a solid centerfield...or JR 3B Shawn Lovette, who hit .394 with 30 rbi and 16 sb's...JR LHP Tre Britt shouldn't be overlooked, either - he pitched really well at times last year and i think he could break out

if the monarch arms can step up, they can be just as good as anyone in the conference, but i echo all of the sentiments about the overall strength of this league...on any given day...

[D-BAT]

I am liking Methodist to win the regular season.  They were young and return a lot.

[Southern BB fan]

Any word on freshman who might make an impact this year?

[narch]

I am liking Methodist to win the regular season.  They were young and return a lot.

i like your thinking, but i want to wait until i start seeing some updated rosters before making any predictions...i think the monarchs certainly have the pieces to be very good, though...

[WMSBRGFan]

I am liking Methodist to win the regular season.  They were young and return a lot.

i like your thinking, but i want to wait until i start seeing some updated rosters before making any predictions...i think the monarchs certainly have the pieces to be very good, though...

With the way Methodist was playing at the end of the season I bet you are hoping they come out strong. From what I have been told if you start slow in the regular season you end up play for the tourney is that correct?

[LTBB1971]

I like the Methodist pick as well, but I think Shenandoah who has most of their roster returning will be the favorites to win it all.  Methodist was very young last year so if their experience translates into wins only time will tell. 

On the other side of the coin, I think NCWC and Ferrum will find a way to get into the mix.

[D-BAT]

Congrats to Mr. Greg VanSickler of Shenandoah University.

SU's Van Sickler gets All-America nod in preseason


MINNEAPOLIS — Shenandoah University junior Greg Van Sickler has been named preseason All-America by D3baseball.com in selections announced Monday by the Web site.

Van Sickler — a James Wood High School alum who pitches and plays first base — is a first-team selection as a utility player.

He is the first SU player to earn pre-season All-America honors.

Last season Van Sickler led the Hornets to a 38-10 record and a South Region championship by hitting .411 with a school-record 20 doubles and 66 RBI while also going 9-2 with a 2.69 ERA on the mound.

The Hornets began practice this past Friday and open the 2010 season with two games in the USA South/ODAC Challenge on Feb. 13.

[narch]

don't forget about brian inghram as an honorable mention selection...

http://www.d3baseball.com/all-american/preseason2010.pdf

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Methodist junior Brian Inghram was named an Honorable Mention selection to the D3baseball.com Preseason All-America team.

The popular web site covering NCAA Division III baseball announced their preseason selections on Monday including Inghram as one of only two USA South Athletic Conference players. Last season Inghram started every game at shortstop and hit .382 on the year with a team-high 62 RBI. He finished the season with nine home runs went on to earn USA South Second Team All-Conference honors and First Team All-Region recognition.

...and inghram's team was 2-0 vs. van sickler's team  (touching vansickler up for 7 runs in .2 ip in the process...that's over 20% of the runs he gave up on the year in 2/3 of an inning)

[D-BAT]

Sorry, was not intentional, I was just looking at 1st team.  Congrats to those young men as well and heck I have already stated that I am liking Methodist to win the regular season.  

[D-BAT]

Sneak peak of SU on the their Turf field.

Click on the 1-18 7pm segment.

http://www.tv3winchester.com/sports/headlines/82009212.html

[Falcon2720]

USA South Pre-Season Baseball Poll

http://www.usasouth.net/news/10baseballlpoll.htm

1) Shenandoah
2) Methodist
3) NC Wesleyan
4) CNU
5) Ferrum
6) Greensboro
7) Averett

[Southern BB fan]

One week until MU plays their first game. Several teams have posted 2010 rosters. Any surprises on these rosters?

[narch]

the monarch roster is finally up...

http://www.mumonarchs.com/roster.aspx?path=baseball&

catcher, 1b and rf are really the only defensive positions which were question marks coming into the season - such is listed as a catcher, but i'm sure he'll dh some, as well - i recognize mayo from the football roster...he played 8 games as a db this fall and has some real athleticism...could be a candidate for that rf slot - quinn lancaster had a pretty strong high school career, and if he's as good as his brother, he'll contribute (i'm sure he can help on the basepaths immediately) - i've heard good things about some of the potential 1b replacements, as well - i don't see offense being problematic for this team if a couple of those positions pan out

mahaffey and fasano aren't back, but i've heard there are a couple of arms that are equal to both...one was on a d1 roster, but took a redshirt - i think britt will break out this year...if the monarchs can find 2 reliable starters behind jordan, they'll be very good - if britt breaks out and 2 others step up, the monarchs will have the potential to win the conference...

[Jim Dixon]

Sorry, was not intentional, I was just looking at 1st team.  Congrats to those young men as well and heck I have already stated that I am liking Methodist to win the regular season.  

Favoring Methodist might be more of a fad.  I have a report of an injury to Shenandoah pitcher Eric Rabung (4.53, 6-0,  47.2 IP).