School: John Carroll University
Location: University Heights, Ohio
Head Coach: Marc Thibeault
2009 Record: 24-12, 11-7 OAC
Returning Starters: 3B Brian Benander, 2B Mike Carbo, SS John Hastings, 1B Tom Hickey, OF Tim O’Brien, OF Bryan Robinett, SP Chris Eggleton, SP Tony Evanko, SP Tom Schaberl, P Chris Koller
Expectations are high in University Heights as Marc Thibeault’s Blue Streaks are coming off their best season in years. Winning two thirds of their games in 2009, John Carroll posted their best overall winning percentage since 1985. With a host of everyday starters returning in 2010 JCU looks to build on their current streak of three straight winning campaigns in OAC play.
John Carroll has turned in a very solid 31-22 OAC record over the past three seasons. Anyone who follows the OAC regularly knows just how impressive a winning record is in conference play. Every team enters the season with the same goal: make the OAC tournament. If you get there you have as good a chance as anyone to win it and claim the bid to the Mideast regional.
Like Heidelberg, JCU also returns their top two run producers from 2009 to form the heart of their 2010 lineup. The All-OAC corner infielders, first baseman Tom Hickey and third baseman Brian Benander, combined to drive in 79 runs in 36 games. Hickey, a sophomore from Chicago, had a huge freshman season finishing second in the conference with a .438 batting average. Benander provided a lift with his .348 average as well.
With seniors Tim O’Brien and Bryan Robinett anchoring the outfield, John Carroll will feature a couple solid hitting returning starters. O’Brien, an All-OAC selection in 2009, hit .319 last spring. The final outfield spot is up in the air, but John Skomra hit .380 in regular action in 2009 so don’t be surprised if he gets the first crack at the spot.
The middle infield duties will once again be manned by Mike Carbo at second base and John Hastings at shortstop. Both hit around .290 last season so these are by no means purely glove men. Overall, the Blue Streaks are a just a very balanced lineup. There are really no glaring holes to fill except at catcher. The loss of All-OAC backstop Chris Cairo opens the door for someone to claim the duties of every day starter. With very little experience returning, don’t be shocked to see a youngster, perhaps Mooney’s Owen Timlin, battling for the spot.
On the mound Marc Thibeault will be banking on development and consistency to carry the staff. Early on the staff will lean heavily on veteran Tom Schaberl. Schaberl (5-1) started 11 games in 2009, good enough to tie Paul O’Donnell for the team lead. As we highlighted in our Pitchers to Watch piece, Chris Eggleton (3-0) appears poised to step into a much bigger role this spring. The biggest question mark in the rotation may be if Tony Evanko can regain the All-OAC form that made him a force his freshman year (6-1, 1.70 ERA). If Evanko finds his touch the rotation should be very, very solid. Nothing new there.
The bullpen looks to be a strong suit of the 2010 squad. With quality relievers like Adam Jenkins, Chris Koller and Michael Eden back JCU features one of the deepest bullpens in the conference. All three are experienced and have demonstrated they can consistently retire OAC hitters posting a combined 4.21 ERA in 39 appearances in 2009.
Coach Thibeault is unquestionably building momentum in University Heights. Three straight winning conference campaigns confirm that. With numerous starters back including Tom Hickey’s big bat, the offense doesn’t appear to be dropping off at all. With a strong bullpen intact it will come down to the rotation in 2010. The bad news is that the rotation is unsettled at the moment. The good news is that there is ample talent there to take John Carroll back to the OAC tournament in 2010. Will this be the year the Streaks make a deep run once they get there? That remains to be seen.
Filed under: Division III
