Coastal Carolina opens the 2012 season this year at home hosting James Madison, Virginia and Boston College in the Caravelle Resort Tournament. Here is a brief look at the visiting teams.
James Madison (42-19, 21-9)
The Chanticleers open the 2012 season against James Madison University at 4:00 p.m. on Friday February 17 at home. The Dukes are the defending Colonial Athletic Association champions. They finished last year with a 42-19 overall and 21-9 CAA record. They finished the season as the runner-up at the North Carolina at Chapel Hill Regional.
The Dukes have several starters returning this year. Junior Johnny Bladel (.360, 4 HR, 41 RBI, 26 SB) leads the outfield along with fellow junior Cole McInturff (.292, 47 runs, 22 SB) and senior Ian Haynes (.284, 23 SB).
Bladel was selected First Team All-Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Second Team All-CAA. He was also named the Most Outstanding Player at the CAA Baseball Championship (.615, six runs, four RBIs, a double and a three-run home run) and named to the NCAA All-Regional in Chapel Hill.
Third Team All-CAA Ty McFarland (.278, 14 2B, 2 HR, 36 RBI) will lead the infield along with sophomore third baseman Conner Brown (.268, 2 HR, 12 SB). Junior catcher/infielder Bradley Shaban (.268, 2 HR, 12 SB) rounds out the returning position players.
The Dukes have at least two transfers who should make an immediate impact on the team. Casey Goss, who played in the Junior College World Series last year, will probably play shortstop and Colby Roberts, an outfielder who had 28 steals last season.
James Madison looks good on the hill as well. All-American Sean Tierney (10-1, 3.43 ERA) and Senior Evan Scott (4-3, 5.94 ERA) will return for weekend rotation duty. With more than 40 innings each last year, relievers Nick Slogik (4-2, 5.95 ERA) and Josh Futter (2-0, 4.61 ERA) are back also.
Another thing to look for in this team is base running. The Dukes had 155 stolen bases last year and most of that speed is returning.
Virginia (56-12)
Virginia needs no introduction. They were the number one national seed last year. They won 56 games. They had the best pitching rotation in the nation, etc. etc. etc. They were ultimately eliminated in the CWS by repeat national champion South Carolina.
Virginia lost its entire starting rotation and some other key players and some baseball writers are calling this a rebuilding year. However, Virginia must still be pretty solid because the team is ranked 17 in USA Today/Coaches preseason poll. Let’s take a short look at what they bring back.
Virginia returns four position starters in the infield. Chris Taylor, SS (.305), Jared King, 1B (.321) and Keith Werman at second base. Utility player Reed Gragnani (.272) also returns this year. All four started at least 30 games last year. In addition, Virginia returns several players expected to get starting roles.
The Cavaliers return seven pitchers who made eight or more appearances last year. First Team All-American closer RHP Branden Kline (4-1, 1.88 ERA in 2011) is expected to move into the starting rotation. RHP Whit Mayberry (5-0, 3.00) and LHP Scott Silverstein (1-0, 3.77) will probably fill out the rotation. RHP Justin Thompson (3-1, 3.46) is projected to be this year’s closer.
If this is a “rebuilding” year for Virginia it looks like they have plenty to rebuild from. It looks like the breakdown by class is 11 freshmen, 5 sophomores, 10 juniors and 5 seniors.
This is the second year in a row that Coastal will host a number 17 team. We expect the Chants to throw ace Josh Conway and we hope for a better outcome than we had last year against California.
Boston College (17-33, 7-22)
The Eagles return 13 position players and 8 pitchers and add 10 newcomers to this year’s roster. They were selected to finish last in the Atlantic Coast conference this year in the coaches’ preseason poll.
Chanticleer fans will probably remember last year’s season opener where Hayes Orton had a three-run walk-off home run for a 9-6 decision before a record crowd.
