Commonwealth Conference Baseball
Elizabethtown and Messiah tied for #1
Elizabethtown and Messiah Tie For First in Commonwealth Conference Baseball Preseason Poll
Annville, PA – Elizabethtown and Messiah tied for first in the 2009 Commonwealth Conference pre-season poll of conference coaches. Elizabethtown and Messiah both received three first place votes and tallied 29 points.
Elizabethtown finished their 2008 campaign with a 26-12 overall record and first place in the Commonwealth Conference with a 10-2 mark. Elizabethtown advanced to the conference championship game for the third straight year before falling to Messiah in the finals. Junior Sam Heaps was honored as Pitcher of the Year and was a first-team All-Conference selection at both pitcher and utility player. Junior outfielder Adam Sheibley was also a first-team pick, while sophomore shortstop Matt Vinagro and sophomore outfielder Rodney Francis were second-team selections.
Messiah completed a 28-18 record in 2008, qualifying for NCAA Regional competition for the third time in six years while setting 20 team records in the process. The club’s 28 wins tied a program-best mark, while the Falcons look to move on following the graduation of ’08 First Team All-American Craig Mease — owner of nine single-season records set last year. Messiah’s most experienced positions may very well lie in its outfielders, as three regulars return to patrol the grass. Senior Johnny Ebersole (left field), junior Jordan Zimmerman (center) and Sheldon Witmer (right) all bring volumes of speed and experience, with Witmer being a First Team All-Conference selection as a field player.
Widener (24-16, 5-7) sits alone in third with 24 points. Widener was the fourth seed in the Commonwealth Conference Tournament last season. The Pride returns two First Team All-Conference picks in right fielder Tom DeAngelis and pitcher Kevin Culbert. First baseman Colin McHale was tabbed Second Team All-League and should help the team which once again matched their school record with most victories with 26.
Albright comes in tied for fourth with 16 points. They finished the 2008 season at 16-18, 7-5 in the conference. The Lions and Coach of the Year Jeff Feiler look to return to the Commonwealth Conference Tournament with a strong returning nucleus. Junior First Team All-Conference pitcher Casey Lawrence and Second Team selection Jason Dunkelberger will lead the charge.
Arcadia is the second team tied for fourth place with 16 points. Brian Pugh begins his first season as head coach and will enjoy the services of 2008 All- Freedom First Team selection John Curerri who returns for his final season of eligibility. A top five hitter in his three seasons at Arcadia, Curreri led last year's squad in hits (57), doubles (10), stolen bases (16) and assists in the field (122) while batting in a team high 34 runs. The Knights are a young team, with ten freshmen looking to compete for playing time.
Lebanon Valley (12-24, 0-12) rounds out the selections with sixth place and 13 points. In 2008, the Dutchmen were denied a spot in the Commonwealth Conference playoffs falling 6-5 to Widener University in the conference's play-in game. They look to regroup after losing seniors John Mentzer and Andrew Pipkin, Second Team All-Commonwealth Conference selections.
Commonwealth Conference Pre-season Baseball Poll
1t. Elizabethtown 29 (3)
1t. Messiah 29 (3)
3. Widener 24
4t. Albright 16
4t. Arcadia 16
6. Lebanon Valley 13