2011 CBD Season Preview: Southern Conference

By: Aaron Kirby

The 2010 season was a historic season for the Southern Conference.   After getting 2 teams in Regionals in 5 of 6 previous years, along with the SOCON tourney champion and regular season champion(The Citadel) 2 teams, College of Charleston and Elon earned an at-large bid putting 3 SOCON teams in NCAA postseason for the first time in history of the league. In 2010 the SOCON finished the season with 7 teams with RPI in the top 75.

SOCON 2010 RPI– #9

THE FAVORITE

College of Charleston-(44-19 overall 22-8 SOCON/2nd)-At-Large/Myrtle Beach Regional

CofC came up just short of winning its 2nd regional title(2006 Kentucky Regional) last season in Myrtle Beach and the majority of that team returns for another run.  Returning four 1st team all conference position players and 6 of 9 starters CofC enters 2011 as the clear favorite.  Including 2010 Player of Year 3B Matt Leeds(.326/21/88), CF Cole Rakar (.378/8/54/27 2B/102 H), LF Jose Rodriguez(.355/16/69) and C Rob Kral (.344/15/57).  JC transfer OF/P Marty Gannt adds to an already loaded lineup, he was a top of order guy at Spartanburg Methodist. CofC also get 1B Ryan Daniels(.363/10/64) back after missing 2010 with injury. A 1^st Team All SoCon in 2009. How far this team can go will depend on the pitching staff which returns 2 of 3 weekend starters, RHP David Peterson(8-3/5.30/86.2/15 GS) and RHP Christian Powell(7-4/6.84/79.0/16 GS)

THE CONTENDERS

The Citadel-(43-22 overall 24-6 SOCON/1st)-SOCON Champs/Columbia Regional

The Citadel took home 2 more championships last year, winning the regular season and tourney titles.  Citadel has a history of great pitching but their ace and supplemental 1st rd pick and pitcher of the year RHP Asher Wojociechowski (12-3/3.58/125.2/155 Ks) is moved on.  But return 2 of 3 weekend starters and filling the ace role in 2011 is LHP Matt Talley(8-3/3.71/104.1/16 GS) who returns for his SR year after being drafted in 25th round last year along with RHP Michael Clevinger (5-3/5.15/92.2/15 GS).  Closing out games again should be SR LHP Drew Mahaffey (4-3/4.75/30.1/7 sv).   On offense the Cadets return 6 of 9 starters including 3 players with 20+ steals and another with 18.  So look for The Citadel to pitch, run and play defense to make another run in the SOCON and be in position to get into regional.

Western Carolina-(37-21-1 overall 16-13-1 SOCON/6th)

WCU is primed for a run at the SOCON and a regional after last years return to the Championship game vs the Citadel.  But with a championship game loss and coming up short on at-large bid the Catamounts return plenty of talent to be there again this year.  Returning 6 of 9 position starters including 2B Ross Heffley (.361/11/63/15 2B), INF/OF Matt Johns (.346/11/40/23 SB), SS Austin Schultz (.307/7/35/14 SB), Catchers Ollie Goulder (.279/11/36) and returning after missing all but 2 games last year Stephan Notaro (.287/13/39**2009 stats).  The strength should be in the pitching staff as 3 of 4 starters return.  Leading the way are two 9 game winners including 2nd team All SOCON RHP Matt Benedict(9-2/3.11/92.2) and RHP Brandon Johnson(9-1/2.89/53.0/33 App).  RHP Kyle Stewart(2-2/6.87/55.0/10 GS) and LHP Vance Chavis (3-4/7.40/48.2/10 GS) were both weekend starters at times during season last year.  Sophomore RHP Taylor Sandefur (1-2/5.19/50.1/9 GS) who joined the weekend rotation late last year should be in weekend rotation this year and could have a big season.  Sandefur had an impressive summer in Valley where he was named top pitcher and top prospect.  Freshman RHP Jordan Smith(Liberty, NC) may crack the weekend rotation. If WCU plays like they should look for them to finish in top 3rd of SOCON and get in a regional.

Georgia Southern-(34-24 overall 19-11 SOCON/Tied 3rd)

In 2009 GSU won the regular season and tourney titles in the SOCON along with earning a #2 seed at the CSFU regional.  The Eagles entered last year with eyes on a repeat but got off to slow start.  But GSU got rolling in the middle of season to get right back in contention for a regional again before coming up short.  GSU has the talent to make it back to the top this year and has probably the fastest team in SOCON.  5 of 9 starters return and leading the way are two 2nd team All SOCON players from 2010 OF Shawn Payne(.345/5/33/43 SB) and SS/3B Eric Phillips(.342/7/56/15 SB).  Two All SOCON freshman also return DH Michael Burress (.326/1/26) and OF Arthur Owens(.313/0/30).  Sophomore OF Victor Roache (.252/8/38) turned down good money to play in Statesboro and dealt with injuries most of last year.  If healthy in 2011 keep an eye on him.  Getting some ABs this year after returning for his SR year is RHP Andy Moye (8-4/5.61/77.0/10 GS) who should see some time at 1B.  Returning to the weekend rotation with Moye is RHP Matt Murray(6-3/6.00/75.0/15 GS).  If they pitch, look for the speed and talent to keep GSU at the top of SOCON once again in 2011 and be in position to get in a Regional.

Elon-(38-24 overall 19-11 SOCON/Tied 3rd)-At-Large/Atlanta Regional

Elon earned its 3rd consecutive NCAA trip in 2010 with an at-large bid.   Elon returns only 5 of 9 starters but returns 1st team All SOCON and possibly one of best SS in country in SR Neal Pritchard(.340/12/40).  Elon is noted for its offense but even with the loss of 1st team All SOCON LHP Jimmy Reyes(10-4/4.56/98.2/96 K/15 GS) to the draft the strengths of the 2011 club should be its pitching.  The drafted didn’t take RHP Ken Ferrer(9-6/5.52/73.1/11 GS) 35th rd and Closer RHP Thomas Girdwood (3-2/5.33/27.0/8 sv) 15th rd along with RHP Jared Kernodle (6-3/5.40/68.1/11 GS) should anchor a solid staff.  Expect the Phoenix to be near the top of SOCON once again in 2011 but are going to need several newcomers to step up in order to make it 4 consecutive regional appearances.

THE DARK HORSES

Appalachian State-(38-18-1 overall 14-14-1/7th)

App St continues to climb the ranks of the SOCON but lost some of the best players, 1st team SOCON 2010 2B Wes Hobson(.404/11/54) and RP Chris Petterson (4-4/1.67/43.0/13 sv), in the history of its program.  But the cupboard is not empty in 2011 that’s for sure returning 5 of 9 starters and 2 of 3 starting pitchers.  Returning with one year under their belt is a very good group of sophomores:  3B Hector Crespo (.335/3/31/31 SB), OF Tyler Zupcic (.332/2/30/18 SB), LHP Tyler Jackson (2-4/5.34/64.0/13 GS) and RHP Nathan Hyatt (2-3/4.99/48.2).  After going 24-4 in non-conference games last year this year maybe be a little differ with 3 games series at Miami, and single games vs North Carolina, Tennessee, and Wake Forrest.  Those tough games will pay off for App St in SOCON and expect 2012 to be big year for App St but don’t be to surprised if they make some noise this year as well.  Keep an eye on Hyatt.

Samford-(31-25 overall 17-12 SOCON/5th)

After not making the SOCON tourney in their first year in the SOCON in 2009 Samford had a very good year #2 finishing 5th.  But gone are the top 4 hitters from last years club and return 4 of 9 position starters.  Senior INF Michael Johnson(.330/7/45) returns along with one of the top lefties in the country.  If you have not heard of LHP Lex Rutledge(5-1/1.71/47.1/65 K/11 sv) ,second team all SOCON and Freshman All American, take note he is legit.  After closing as a freshman look for him to move into rotation that does return 2 of 3 regular SP’s from last year.  Bottom line is Samford lost a TON of offense and needs guys to step up to finish near where they did in 2010.

Furman-(19-37 overall 11-19 SOCON/8th)

It took Furman till the last week of season to get in SOCON tourney last year.  But returning 8 of 9 starters look for that to change this year and Furman has the chance to make some noise.  It appears that SOCON Freshman of Year and Freshman All American, 2B Will Muzika (.329/14/55), will be back along with 2009 SOCON Freshman of the Year DH Reese Wade (.285/4/21) and  OF Will Owens (.351/8/38) among the returning position players.  Losing 2 of 3 weekend starters the must find arms to get outs for Furman to climb the ranks.  Probably not in 2011 but Furman should be in good position in 2012 to make a run at SOCON again when tourney returns to their backyard Fluor Field in Greenville.

HOPING TO MAKE THE TRIP TO BEACH CLUB-

Wofford-(17-38 overall 9-21 SOCON/9th)

If Wofford wants to make it to Charleston they are probably going to have to hit their way to the beach.  One of the best hitters in the conference plays for Wofford, preseason All American JR catcher Mac Doyle(.377/16/75).  Including Doyle Wofford returns 8 of 9 starters and returns all 3 starting pitchers and only lost 3.2 innings out of bullpen but last years staff had a 7.87 ERA so they are going to need to be a lot better if they are to crack the top 8.

UNCG-(20-33 overall 7-23 SOCON/10th)

Greensboro had a very disappointing season in 2010.  The good news for UNCG is they return 90% of 2010 wins on the pitching staff.  But the bad news is that is only 18 wins.  They lost 2 starting pitchers and return 2 in RHP Colby Hyatt(7-4/4.29/94.1/9 GS) and RHP Warren Slack(3-10/4.75/89.0/13 GS).  The offense returns 7 of 9 starters but only one guy over .300 in INF Kris Richards(.307).  Their 2010 recruiting class was ranked by collegiate baseball as one of the “Other Top Recruiting Classes” outside the top 40.  2011 looks to be another tough year for UNCG unless the newcomers really step up.

Davidson-(19-32 overall 5-25 SOCON/11th)

Davidson looks to get back to Charleston this year and returns 7 of 9 position starters.  Included in those 7 is 3B Andrew Barna.329/7/52) who was a Freshman All American last year as well as on the All Freshman SOCON team.  Joining him is 1B Danny Weiss(.368/6/35).  On the mound the Wildcats return 2 of 3 starters.   Davidson should score some runs but in order to get to Charleston they will need to pitch.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH-

#1-College of Charleston
#2-WCU
#3-GSU
#4-Citadel
#5-Elon
#6-App St
#7-Samford
#8-Furman
———————————–
#9-Wofford
#10-Davidson
#11-UNCG

Regional Teams(3)-College of Charleston, WCU, GSU, Citadel
Player of Year-OF Cole Rakar (CofC) Sleeper Player of Year-OF Shawn Payne(GSU)
Pitcher of Year-LHP Matt Talley(Citadel)
Sleeper Pitcher of Year-RHP Taylor Sandefur (WCU)
Best 3 game out of conference series- Appalachian St @ Miami 2/24-2/26
Top Conference Series- Citadel @ CofC 4/-4/10 and GSU @ WCU 4/15-4/17
Hardest Schedule- Elon @ NC St (3), @ S. Florida (3), ECU (2), Clemson (2), UNCW (2), Old Dominion (2), UNC
Easiest Schedule- Davidson

Conclusion- CofC is clear favorite but 2-5 is a toss up.  Im going to go out on a limb and say 3 SOCON teams will make a regional for the 2nd year in a row.  CofC will get in unless they implode and the other 2 will come from WCU, Citadel or GSU