SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. (Feb. 4) – The California University of Pennsylvania baseball team was ranked sixth in the preseason National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division II Atlantic Region poll released earlier this week.
The Vulcans have registered 10-consecutive seasons with at least 25 wins, including a 32-15 overall record last season. Cal U returns five position starters from last year, including preseason All-American outfielder
Sam DiMatteo (Center, Pa./Center).
On the hill, the Vulcans return seven hurlers that combined for 31 starts and 20 victories last season. The Cal U staff will be anchored by seniors
Ryan Lavrusky (Temple Terrace, Fla./King/Waynesburg) and
Nick Schreiber (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle Antrim) and the return of redshirt sophomore
Randy Sturgill (Leechburg, Pa./Leechburg), who suffered a season-ending injury in the season-opener last year after being named the 2008 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Rookie of the Year.
Under the direction of 14-year head coach
Mike Conte, Cal U features 10 newcomers this season.
West Chester earned the top spot with nine first-place votes after advancing to the College World Series last season. Mercyhurst was ranked second followed by Kutztown, Slippery Rock and West Virginia State. Cal U was sixth, followed by Shepherd, Concord, Pitt-Johnstown and Shippensburg.
The Vulcans were one of six teams in the NCBWA Atlantic Region Top 10 with West Chester and Mercyhurst also ranking Nos. 8 and 21, respectively, in the NCBWA Top 25 National Poll.
Cal U is scheduled to open the season next week on Monday, Feb. 8, when it travels to North Carolina for a three-game series against Catawba.
NCBWA PRESEASON DIVISION II ATLANTIC REGIONAL POLL
| Rank |
Team (First-Place Votes) |
2009 Record |
Total Points |
| 1. |
West Chester |
46-12 |
99 |
| 2. |
Mercyhurst |
38-17 |
81 |
| 3. |
Kutztown |
34-17 |
69 |
| 4. |
Slippery Rock |
36-15 |
60 |
| 5. |
West Virginia State |
33-15 |
56 |
| 6. |
California (Pa.) |
32-15 |
52 |
| 7. |
Shepherd |
33-18 |
51 |
| 8. |
Concord |
27-15 |
29 |
| 9. |
Pitt-Johnstown |
29-15 |
22 |
| 10. |
Shippensburg |
23-31 |
13 |
02/04/10
