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Notables
Ryan Bourque is part of an experienced Southern Maine team.
Noelle Neuwirth
The competition in the New England region of Division III baseball is as strong as it has been in the past few years. Last year two teams from this region advanced to the championship round (Wheaton, Mass., and Eastern Connecticut) and this could happen again. The premier conference in this region is the Little East which has accounted for all the championships won by New England Region teams. The best of the Little East will be challenged by Wheaton (second at last year's championship) and Western New England.
The Southern Maine Huskies (2006 record: 32-17, 2006 conference record: 11-3), ranked fifth in the preseason poll is the preseason favorite to win the Little East. The Huskies will be led by outfielder Ryan Bourque (.395, 7 HR, 53 RBI), one of eight returning player starters. The return of pitchers Josh Armandi and Sam Handy, injured last year, will buoy an already veteran pitching staff. "[We will] have the deepest squad we've had in some time," said coach Ed Flahety.
Wheaton (42-10, 11-1) will benefit from the experience of finishing second in the 2006 championship. The Lyons lost Jamie Baker and Andy Koocher from last year's team but four key members return. Infielders, Scott Guillerault and Jake Yagjian will pace a potent offense and pitchers Louie Bernardini, Chris McDonough will anchor a solid pitching staff. Coach Eric Podbelski has a team that is capable of a return trip to Grand Chute, Wis.
The Western New England Golden Bears (35-12, 12-2) returns eight starters and two line pitchers this season. A first place finisher in the Great Northeast Conference, Western New England is poised to take the next step. Offsetting the loss of Utility All-American Jason Connelly are pitchers Jason Pizzoferrato and Chris Anderson. On the offensive side, outfielder Garrison Ward (.326, 15 2B, 45 RBI) is one player to watch.
Keene State (31-14, 11-3) should once again improve from the year before. Coach Ken Howe has led a surging team that has finished second in the competitive Little East for two consecutive years. With an experienced squad, the Owls will stay at the top of the Little East and contend with Southern Maine for the conference title.
The Eastern Connecticut Warriors (36-20, 8-6) are expecting another banner year. They will feel the effects of the loss of long time starters Marc Garofalo, Greg Sullivan and Chris DeSantis but keeps their pitching staff nearly intact. Returning All-American first team utility player Shawn Gilblair (.300, 31 RBI, 8-1, 1.65 ERA) will provide experience on both sides of the ball. In a conference with teams loaded with experience don't expect coach Bill Holowalty to rest. "We lost a lot of our offense, and the new ballplayers will have big roles to play on offense," said Holowalty.
Other schools to watch: Salve Regina (32-13), Williams (30-12); Massachusetts College (21-17); Endicott (23-22); Mass-Boston (19-18); Trinity, Conn. (17-18)
The Southern Maine Huskies (2006 record: 32-17, 2006 conference record: 11-3), ranked fifth in the preseason poll is the preseason favorite to win the Little East. The Huskies will be led by outfielder Ryan Bourque (.395, 7 HR, 53 RBI), one of eight returning player starters. The return of pitchers Josh Armandi and Sam Handy, injured last year, will buoy an already veteran pitching staff. "[We will] have the deepest squad we've had in some time," said coach Ed Flahety.
Wheaton (42-10, 11-1) will benefit from the experience of finishing second in the 2006 championship. The Lyons lost Jamie Baker and Andy Koocher from last year's team but four key members return. Infielders, Scott Guillerault and Jake Yagjian will pace a potent offense and pitchers Louie Bernardini, Chris McDonough will anchor a solid pitching staff. Coach Eric Podbelski has a team that is capable of a return trip to Grand Chute, Wis.
The Western New England Golden Bears (35-12, 12-2) returns eight starters and two line pitchers this season. A first place finisher in the Great Northeast Conference, Western New England is poised to take the next step. Offsetting the loss of Utility All-American Jason Connelly are pitchers Jason Pizzoferrato and Chris Anderson. On the offensive side, outfielder Garrison Ward (.326, 15 2B, 45 RBI) is one player to watch.
Keene State (31-14, 11-3) should once again improve from the year before. Coach Ken Howe has led a surging team that has finished second in the competitive Little East for two consecutive years. With an experienced squad, the Owls will stay at the top of the Little East and contend with Southern Maine for the conference title.
The Eastern Connecticut Warriors (36-20, 8-6) are expecting another banner year. They will feel the effects of the loss of long time starters Marc Garofalo, Greg Sullivan and Chris DeSantis but keeps their pitching staff nearly intact. Returning All-American first team utility player Shawn Gilblair (.300, 31 RBI, 8-1, 1.65 ERA) will provide experience on both sides of the ball. In a conference with teams loaded with experience don't expect coach Bill Holowalty to rest. "We lost a lot of our offense, and the new ballplayers will have big roles to play on offense," said Holowalty.
Other schools to watch: Salve Regina (32-13), Williams (30-12); Massachusetts College (21-17); Endicott (23-22); Mass-Boston (19-18); Trinity, Conn. (17-18)
Permalink | Feb 16, 2007