Now that we’ve taken a look at the NCAC team-by-team it’s time to tie things up before we hand out our predictions for 2010 season at the end of the post. You certainly didn’t need to come to BSB to know that Wooster is going to be good. They’re the prohibitive favorite to win the NCAC again in 2010. They’re ranked #2 in the nation and have their sights set on a national title. But is there anyone in the NCAC poised to threaten the Fighting Scots? We hope that’s a question you can now answer.
If not, don’t worry. Here’s a quick cheat sheet for you. Our predictions follow at the bottom.
Wooster is obviously sitting pretty heading into 2010. With BSB Preseason Player of the Year Matt Groezinger and Preseason Pitcher of the Year Justin McDowell leading the way, legendary head coach Tim Pettorini certainly has the superstars to make a deep run. Throw in supremely talented position players such as Stu Beath, Zack Vesco and Michael DeBord along with veteran pitchers like Matt DeGrand and things really come into focus. There will be surely be a talented freshmen class to provide depth. There always is. The only question mark at this point is the status of pitcher Matt Barnes. If healthy, Barnes would give the Scots a brutal 1-2 punch at the front end of the rotation again in 2010.
No one has proven they can take down the Scots more often than Ohio Wesleyan. With a young and talented roster the 2010 Battling Bishops are a very, very dangerous squad. Not surprisingly, Tyler Mott’s 2010 team will have a nice balance of quality pitching and big bats. A starting rotation likely featuring a couple sophomores will be anchored at the top by a couple veteran All-NCAC performers in Matt Struble and Eric Livingston. A solid core of hitters return led by James DiBiasio and Zach Frentsos. The depth of talent and balance in Delaware likely make the Bishops the favorite in the West and the top contender to Wooster’s crown.
A couple programs with questions to be answered in 2010 are Denison and Kenyon. Denison will be under the guidance of first year head coach Mike Clark. Can they continue their recent success? Clark’s resume says they will, but any coach’s rookie year can be exciting. With players like Aidan Lucas, Evan Nicholson and Park Smith he has every coach’s best friend: talent.
Kenyon has to answer whether 2009 was their arrival or their peak. With multiple time NCAC Coach of the Year Matt Burdette leading the way Lords fans are banking on the former. Graduation hit hard in Gambier, but with emerging star Craig Wocl back Kenyon is showing they can recruit and develop talent. Is there enough help to make a return trip to the NCAC tournament? Time will tell.
If anyone is looking for a chink in the armor of Denison it’s the Wittenberg Tigers. With junior All-NCAC first teamer Stefan Kegler returning coach Jay Lewis has the centerpiece to build his lineup around. The Tigers will lean heavily on senior lefty Bobby Ciucki to anchor the rotation until it settles. Wittenberg will once again be a factor in the always competitive NCAC West.
Oberlin has quietly improved their program under head coach Eric Lahetta. Building a competitive program doesn’t happen overnight. It doesn’t even happen over a couple seasons. But the positives for the Yeomen are there. They have been progressively improving. While we don’t think they’re quite ready to challenge for an NCAC tournament slot, they are definitely heading in that direction.
Howard Jenter and his Hiram Terriers head into 2010 looking to get back on track. They have no doubt tried to put the 2009 campaign behind them and work hard toward a return to competitive play in the NCAC. Despite the tough times the Terriers have fallen on, we know that Jenter knows how to build a solid team. At this point it will come down to how well they’ve recruited and how quickly their young talent develops as they look to replace Craig Dobos in the lineup.
BSB’s Predictions:
NCAC East:
- Wooster
- Kenyon
- Allegheny
- Oberlin
- Hiram
NCAC West:
- Ohio Wesleyan
- Denison
- Wabash
- Wittenberg
- Earlham
NCAC Player of the Year: Matt Groezinger, Wooster
NCAC Pitcher of the Year: Justin McDowell, Wooster
NCAC Coach of the Year: Tim Pettorini, Wooster
Filed under: Division III
