2003 BASEBALL
PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
 

AMCC BASEBALL COACHES PICK  PITT-BRADFORD
TO TOP THE LEAGUE
 

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford is predicted to repeat as baseball champions for the third consecutive year, according to the 2003 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference pre-season coaches’ poll.

Pitt-Bradford received six of seven first place votes, followed by a close race between Frostburg State University and Penn State Behrend for two-three in the standings.  The Panthers will be led by Preseason AMCC Pitcher of the Year Eric Haynoski (Bradford HS/Bradford, PA), a senior who posted a 10-2 record last season, compiling a 1.91 ERA and throwing 72 strikeouts in 77 innings pitched.  Haynoski is a force at the plate as well, boasting a .370 batting average in 2002.  Frostburg State's Jake Mannon (Lenape HS/Southampton, NJ) got the Preseason Player of the Year nod.  A first team all-conference selection in 2002, the senior catcher batted .343 last season, collecting 9 doubles, 26 RBIs and a .505 slugging percentage.

                            

AMCC
BASEBALL POLL
Preseason Rankings:
1. Pitt-Bradford
2. Frostburg State
3. Penn State Behrend
 

Preseason Player of the Year:
Jake Mannon, Frostburg State

                                    Other players to watch:
Frostburg State
LF Tim Wilkins (Metro HS/Baltimore, MD)...Batted .398, 6 HR, 36 RBI...704 slugging percentage...Second team All-AMCC in 2002

La Roche
3B Tony DelBianco (Montour HS/Coraopolis, PA)...Hit .430, 31 RBI...First team All-AMCC in 2002
LF John Sorbara (Mt. Lebanon HS/Point Park College/Pittsburgh, PA)...No information available

Lake Erie
SS/P Matt McNanny (Franklin AreaHS/Franklin, PA)...No information available
P/3BOF Brandon Heritage (Berkshire HS/Burton, OH)...No information available

Penn State Altoona
P Luke Diehl (Bald Eagle Nittany HS/Aaronsburg, PA)...2002 stats: 2-5 record, 3.74 ERA, 45 IP, 63 K.
2B Dennis McKimm (Cameron County HS/Emporium, PA)...transfer from Mansfield State...speedy, all-around player...hits for power

Penn State Behrend
P Ryan Seyler (Franklin HS/Franklin, PA)...2002 Academic All-American, second team All-AMCC...8-2 record...8th best ERA in Division III.
1B Keith Lepionka (Dubois HS/Dubois, PA)...All-AMCC two consecutive years...hit .340 with 45 runs scored.

Pitt-Bradford
C Dave Brown (Coudersport Area HS/Coudersport, PA)...2002 stats:  .410 BA, 3 HR, 36 RBI...threw out 38.2% of baserunners.

Pitt-Greensburg
IF Jason Ramaley (Franklin Regional HS/Murrysville, PA)...2002 stats:  17 hits (2nd on team), .940 fielding percentage
IF/P Ryan Venezie (Ellwood City/Ellwood City, PA)..led team in 2002 with 14 runs, 7 stolen bases and 18 RBI.