CALIFORNIA (Jan. 21) – The Vulcans featured three players on the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Collegiate Baseball Atlantic Region preseason “watch lists,” including preseason All-American senior outfielder
Sam DiMatteo (Center, Pa./Center).
Sophomore outfielder
Troy Handza (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) was among “Players to Watch,” while freshman left-handed pitcher
Tyler Zimm (Fayetteville, W.Va./Oak Hill) was selected a “Newcomer to Watch.”
DiMatteo emerged as one of the top all-around players in the nation last season, posting a .405 average (70-for-173) with 12 doubles, two triples, 12 homers, 50 RBI, 57 runs scored and 40 steals. A two-time All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West First-Team selection, he led the league and ranked fourth in NCAA Division II in stolen bases. The former Center product enters his senior campaign tied for fourth in school history with 20 homers and is third with 72 stolen bases.
As a true freshman last season, Handza finished with a .333 average (50-for-15) with nine doubles, three triples, two homers, 25 RBI and 43 runs. The 6-3 leadoff hitter posted 15 multi-hit games and ranked third in the PSAC with 23 steals in 2009.
Zimm joins the Cal U program after helping lead Oak Hill High School in West Virginia to Class AA Region 3 title game in back-to-back years. As a senior, he posted an 8-3 mark and 0.53 ERA in 66.2 innings with 94 strikeouts. The 6-0 left-hander was a two-time, first-team all-state selection and pitched in the North-South All-Star Classic.
Under 14th-year head coach
Mike Conte, the Vulcans will open their season in two-plus weeks at the Catwaba Invitational in Kannapolis, N.C.