Otterbein, ranked number one in both the ABCA and Collegiate Baseball preseason polls, is the favorite to capture the 2007 Division III national title in Grand Chute, Wis. Led by All-American candidates Dan Remenowsky (9-2, 1.92 ERA) and Doug Stevens (10-0, 2.47 ERA), the Otterbein Cardinals return every starter from a team that was ranked 11th in the final Division III poll.

Challenging the Cardinals will be the Chapman Panthers. Coach Tom Tereschuk has his Panthers reloaded with three new players transferring from other colleges and several key freshmen recruits. They will augment seven returning starters and first team All-American pitcher, Devin Drag (10-2, 0.82). "We will legitimately be two deep at every position ion the diamond," said Tereschuk.

The UW-Stevens Point Pointers and Wheaton Lyons have a top ten ranking in both preseason polls. In last year's championship, Stevens Point was the hometown favorite and is expected to return in 2007. Led by RHP/DH Jordan Zimmerman (.355, 22 RBI, 5-5, 2.16 ERA), the Pointers will have a deep and experience squad in 2007. With a number two ranking in the coaches poll and half the first place votes, the Lyons are hoping to improve on last year's runner-up finish at the Championship in Grand Chute. They retain enough veteran players and pitchers to challenge traditional powerhouses like Southern Maine and Eastern Connecticut for supremacy in the New England Region.

Two teams from the New Jersey Athletic Conference will not only be looking for the NJAC crown but will battle to see who makes it out of the Mid-Atlantic region. Montclair State returns an experienced team that finished fourth in last year's Championship. The Red Hawks are led by catcher Andrew Vicaro (.300, 42 RBI), one of seven returning player starters. "Andrew was clearly our team MVP in 2006," said coach Norm Schoenig. "He played a vital role not only behind the plate but also with his offensive run production." The College of New Jersey lost several key players but return two first team All-Americans in Blake Bullis (.395, 72 RBI) and Gerald Haran (.415, 64 RBI). "We should challenge for the New Jersey Athletic Conference title," said coach Rick Dell.

Southern Maine, Marietta, N.C. Wesleyan and Cortland State round out the rest of the top challengers for the 2007 Division III Championship.


Southern Maine finished second in the New England Regional and is looking to improve on a successful 2006 campaign. Led by All-American candidate outfielder Ryan Bourque (.379, 49 RBI), the Huskies are loaded. "Our freshman newcomers, along with the return of two veteran pitchers coming off injuries will allow us to have the deepest squad we've had in some time," said coach Ed Flahety.

Marietta lost several key players from last years championship team to graduation and the MLB amateur draft. "This will be a different club from a year ago, but we still should be successful," said coach Brian Brewer.

N.C. Wesleyan returns a lot of experience. Look out for Chris Pecora (.403, 34 RBI) and Blake Rice (10-3, 2.68 ERA) as the Battling Bishops look to returning to the Championship in 2007.

Cortland State finished the 2006 season 39-9, narrowing missing the Championship round when they were defeated in the New York Regional by a hot Eastern Connecticut Team. Returning is Jimmy Dougher (9-1, 1.34 ERA, 64 K) who will solid pitching staff.

For the complete NCAA Division III Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Poll see: http://www.baseballnews.com/polls/divIII/currentpolldiviii.htm