Penn State Behrend is predicted to repeat as
the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference baseball champions,
according to the 2004 pre-season AMCC coaches’ poll. While the
Behrend Lions received four of seven first place votes, they were followed
closely by Frostburg State University, last season's runner-up, with
three #1 votes. Perennial threat University of Pittsburgh at
Bradford charted at #3.
The two squads split votes on preseason player of
the year. Penn State Behrend returns last year's AMCC and
NCBWA Mid-Atlantic Player of the Year Adam Best (Oil City HS/Oil
City, PA), a senior centerfielder who batted .493 in 2003, the
fifth best average nationally in NCAA Div. III. He shares
preseason honors with the Bobcats' Sean Davis (Sherwood HS/
Olney, MD), a senior second baseman who was a third team
All-American last season. In addition to a .433 batting
average, Davis was successful in 23 of 26 stolen base attempts.
Penn State Behrend junior Jason Shaffer (Montour HS/ McKees Rock,
PA) was chosen as
Preseason AMCC Pitcher of the Year. Shaffer posted a 7-1 record, second best in the AMCC last year.
|
Preseason Co-Pitchers of the Year:
Jason Shaffer, Penn State Behrend
|
Preseason Co-Players of the Year:
Adam Best, Penn State Behrend
Seasn Davis, Frostburg State |
|
Other players to watch:
Frostburg State
P Dan Sidorowicz (St. Mary's Ryken HS/Leonardtown, MD)...6-2
record in 2003...ERA of 3.28, fourth best in the AMCC.
La Roche
P Joe Malloy (Penn Cambria HS/Gallitzen, PA)...2.06 ERA
and 3-3 record last season...21 strikeouts and only 8 walks.
1B/3B Michael Hauck (Warren Harding
HS/Warren, OH)...Sophomore transfer from Garrett CC...hit .330 with
20 RBIs and 3 HR.
Lake Erie
SS Matt McNanny (Franklin Area HS/Franklin, PA)...As a
freshman hit .417 in 72 AB...also scored 20 runs and added 13 RBI.
P
James Knight (Conneaut HS/Conneaut, OH)...Saw time in 11 games,
starting 9 with 3 complete games...fanned 49 in 60-2/3 innings.
Penn State Altoona
1B Chris Scelsi (Iona Prep/Yonkers, NY)...In
2003 hit .349 with 40 RBI...hits included 10 doubles and 8 home runs.
2B
Dennis McKimm (Cameron County HS/Emporium, PA)...Batting
average was team-high .379...Contributed 6 doubles, 3 triples, and 13
stolen bases.
Penn State Behrend
OF/IF Mitch Reckner (Brockway HS/Brockway, PA)...First team
All-AMCC and 2nd Team All-ECAC in 2003...hit .427 for the conference
champion Behrend Lions
Pitt-Bradford
P Matt Mravintz (Riverside HS/Harmony, PA)...Four year
starter...career record of 7-3...will likely see action at first base as
well
LF Ryan Briskar (Clearfield Area HS/Clearfield, PA)...Hit
.366 last season with 31 RBI and 4 HR...Second team All-AMCC.
Pitt-Greensburg
SS Rich Means (Connellsville HS/Connellsville, PA)...First
team All-AMCC in 2003...hit .339 with 35 runs scored.
IF/P Steve D'Uva (Central Catholic HS/Pittsburgh, PA)..Contributed
17 RBI with a .297 BA last season...record of 2-4 in 40 innings pitched
|
