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All-American Jeremy Peters is one of 20 lettermen returning for Ithaca.
The New York region has been dominated in the past two decades by three teams, Cortland State, Ithaca and Rensselaer. Once again this will be the case in 2007. All three teams are ranked in the 2007 Collegiate Baseball Preseason Poll and along with Brockport State are expected to contend for supremacy of the region.
Ithaca (33-11, 12-4 Empire 8 in 2006), the 20th ranked team in the 2007 preseason poll, returns six position players and four veteran pitchers. Pitchers Jeremy Peters and Nick Sottung, a combined 17-3 in 2006 will provide stability to the Bomber's pitching staff. Infielder Rob Raux (.400, 45RBI, 10SB), outfielder Jeremy Peters (.400, 32RBI), and a trio of transfer players will be key to the offensive success of Ithaca.
The Cortland State Red Dragons (39-9, 12-2) have dominated the New York Region for more than a decade. Only a heartbreaking loss to Eastern Connecticut in the New York Regional left them out of last year's Championship round. The loss of Andy Mead and Will Groff will slow down the team but a solid pitching staff led by Jimmy Dougher and George Jweid should keep the Red Dragons in contention.
"We lost some very good players from last year's team, and they were great leaders," said coach Joe Brown. "[We are] anxious to start in January. We have very good pitching depth, but we will have to prove it on the field."
Brockport State (26-18, 8-6) is a dark horse in the 2007 season. The Golden Eagles finished fourth in the conference but ended the season with a second place finish to Conference champion, Cortland State. Most of the team returns and the experience they bring should help them have a successful season. A player to watch is Tim Wilson (.355, 10 SB, 35 RBI), a key member of the 2004 squad that advanced to the Championship round.
The Rensselaer Engineers (34-11, 21-5) will be led by their captains, catcher Jason Pollard (.420, 15 2B, 42 RBI), starting pitcher Luke Calzone (10-0, 1.91 ERA) and reliever Ian Titcomb. The key for the 2007 season is how the Engineers respond without All-American outfielder Mike Passante. Coach Karl Steffen has put on a consistent winner on the field and this year they should be able to hold off all challengers for the Liberty league crown.
Other schools to watch: Rochester Institute of Technology (24-16), Centenary (29-13), and St Lawrence (24-14).
Ithaca (33-11, 12-4 Empire 8 in 2006), the 20th ranked team in the 2007 preseason poll, returns six position players and four veteran pitchers. Pitchers Jeremy Peters and Nick Sottung, a combined 17-3 in 2006 will provide stability to the Bomber's pitching staff. Infielder Rob Raux (.400, 45RBI, 10SB), outfielder Jeremy Peters (.400, 32RBI), and a trio of transfer players will be key to the offensive success of Ithaca.
The Cortland State Red Dragons (39-9, 12-2) have dominated the New York Region for more than a decade. Only a heartbreaking loss to Eastern Connecticut in the New York Regional left them out of last year's Championship round. The loss of Andy Mead and Will Groff will slow down the team but a solid pitching staff led by Jimmy Dougher and George Jweid should keep the Red Dragons in contention.
"We lost some very good players from last year's team, and they were great leaders," said coach Joe Brown. "[We are] anxious to start in January. We have very good pitching depth, but we will have to prove it on the field."
Brockport State (26-18, 8-6) is a dark horse in the 2007 season. The Golden Eagles finished fourth in the conference but ended the season with a second place finish to Conference champion, Cortland State. Most of the team returns and the experience they bring should help them have a successful season. A player to watch is Tim Wilson (.355, 10 SB, 35 RBI), a key member of the 2004 squad that advanced to the Championship round.
The Rensselaer Engineers (34-11, 21-5) will be led by their captains, catcher Jason Pollard (.420, 15 2B, 42 RBI), starting pitcher Luke Calzone (10-0, 1.91 ERA) and reliever Ian Titcomb. The key for the 2007 season is how the Engineers respond without All-American outfielder Mike Passante. Coach Karl Steffen has put on a consistent winner on the field and this year they should be able to hold off all challengers for the Liberty league crown.
Other schools to watch: Rochester Institute of Technology (24-16), Centenary (29-13), and St Lawrence (24-14).
Permalink | Feb 14, 2007