The Big East became a one-bid league in 2009, so please excuse them if they’re out for blood this year. They’ll do plenty of damage to teams out of conference, but the real battles will take place in Big East play where it’s never for the faint of heart. Louisville, you’re the favorite, so tread lightly my friends.

2009 in a Paragraph:
After the three-bid success of 2007, the Big East has gone down to two bids in 2008 and then became a one-bid league in 2009. Louisville was the only team left carrying the Big East flag once the post-season got underway. They rode that momentum to the Super Regional round before being disposed of by Fullerton out West. How underrated is Big East baseball (as my good bud Paul Mainieri always points out to me)? The Cards were one of the final 16 teams remaining, but we’re still talking about a team that barely won the Big East crown, having USF and West Virginia nipping at their heels down to the last out.

2009 Results:
1- Louisville, 19-7
2- South Florida, 18-9
3- West Virginia, 17-10
4- St. John’s, 16-11
5- Notre Dame, 15-12
6- UConn, 14-13
7- Pittsburgh, 13-13
8- Seton Hall, 13-14
8- Cincinnati, 13-14
10- Georgetown, 8-18
11- Rutgers, 8-19
12- Villanova, 6-20

2010 in a Paragraph:
Things are looking up in the Big East. First off, Louisville will still be the kingpin, but once again it will come with a minimum amount of wiggle room for any mistakes. Both South Florida and Notre Dame are ranked in Collegiate Baseball’s pre-season Top 40, signaling more quality at the top of the rankings. And St. John’s is one step closer to making that great leap forward again. Keep an eye on UConn, who is a little off-the-radar, but still loaded with star power and has a legit chance of contending for the Big East crown. Remember, they were just a smidge out of range of an at-large berth. The fortunes of Rutgers and Cincinnati have fallen on hard times and will need a massive infusion of energy. The true test will come when the NCAA field is announced. One team in: failure. Two teams in: better. Three teams in: now we’re talkin’.

UofL coach Dan McDonnell likes to take infield with his team before games... that's really cool.

Favorite: Louisville

Contenders: South Florida, Notre Dame, St. John’s

Darkhorse: Connecticut

Can’t-Miss Series of the Year: Louisville at Notre Dame, May 19-21.

Best Non-Conference Series: Louisville at Mississippi, March 12-14.

Hot Coach: Dan McDonnell, Louisville

Hot Seat Coach: Pete Wilk, Georgetown

The “You Gotta See” Player: SS Jedd Gyorko, West Virginia

Three Non-Conference Series Big East Opponents Better Take Seriously:
1- South Florida at Florida, Feb. 19-21
2- UConn at Tennessee Tournament, March 12-14. (Tennessee, Ohio State)
3- West Virginia at Caravell Resort Tournament, Feb. 19-21. (Coastal Carolina, Kentucky and Virginia Tech)

Three Bold Predictions:
1- We’ll soon find out that Rutgers has over-scheduled this year and Notre Dame has under-scheduled – putting its RPI at risk come the end of May.
2- Louisville will win the series at Ole Miss and create a buzz for the rest of the season.
3- UConn will have an ugly start with a tough slate, but by the end of the season they will be a real witch.

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- CINCINNATI (29-29, 13-14)
2009 RPI: 135
Starters Returning: 6
Weekend Starters: 1
Mid-Week Starters: 2
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 5

All Conference Candidates:
2B T.J. Jones (.327-4-32)
OF Justin Riddell (.294-6-30)

The Good News:
The one thing coach Brian Cleary has to love is all the bevy of arms he’ll return to the bullpen from last season. A huge key to the season could be the growth of relievers Dan Jensen (3-4, 4.60) and Sam Slavik (1-0, 4.76), who resemble basketball power forwards, tall and imposing. The double-play combo of 2B Jones and SS Chris Peters (.252-3-31) should help improve the defense. Senior backstop Jimmy Jacquot (.248, but just 2Es all year) is a welcome sight to the arms corps.

The Bad News:
The Bearcats had a lot of talent returning from a team that won a school-record 39 games in 2008, yet they fell flat in 2009, getting a middle-of-the-road finish. Two blowout losses in the Big East tournament doesn’t sit well after this eight-month layoff. The pitching was the worst in the conference with a 6.73 team ERA and loses two weekend starters, including staff workhorse Michael Hill and saves specialist Jake Geglein (9svs). The already light-hitting batting order (.285 team average) loses Lance Durham and Mike Spina, who hit .427 and .342 respectively. Lots of work to do here.

Schedule Note:
Schott-loving late-season slate.
UC will play three of their final four series of the Big East season at home against winnable opponents (West Virginia, Pitt and Georgetown), so we could be seeing a big push to the end of the season as the Bearcats make a run to the Big East tourney. And for a northern mid-major school, it’s interesting to see UC scheduled to play 32 home games.

UConn's Elliot Glynn was a Cape Cod All Star last summer.

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- CONNECTICUT (36-24, 14-13)
2009 RPI: 72
Starters Returning: 8
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 2

All Conference Candidates:
OF George Springer (.358-16-57, 12SBs, Frosh All Am.)
SS Mike Olt (.301-8-40, 10SBs)
2B Pierre LePage (.340)
1B Mike Nemeth (.346-6-47)
C Joe Pavone (.328, .990 defense)
RHP Matt Barnes (5-3, 5.43)
RHP/OF Elliot Glynn (5-4, 4.76/.266)

The Good News:
Is is just me or does it seem like every sport at UConn is on the uptick? The Huskies are ready to bust through with most of their fielders coming back and a host of great pitchers. The diamond gems shine brightest with Glynn and Springer, who both had All-Star summers on Cape Cod. The blue-and-white hit .318 last year and has an aggressive personality (70SBs and 52HBPs). Also, look for some freshmen from ‘09 to blossom even more this year, like Barnes, RHP Scott Oberg (4-0, 1.78 in 30inns), OF John Andreoli (.367 in part-time duty) and INF Nick Ahmed (.288, 11SBs), who was also named BA’s No. 3 rated pro prospect in the Altantic Collegiate League.

The Bad News:
The Huskies have had to stew over just missing the NCAAs all off-season after losing the Big East title game to Louisville. They also have to avoid the same slow 7-11 start they had last year. UC had four pitchers head off to pro ball last summer, so finding bullpen guys will be job No. 1 for Coach Jim Penders. The defense will be experienced, but still needs to improve last season’s .959 fielding percentage.

Schedule Note:
Lucky draw in the Big East.
UConn gets a little bit of a break in that they won’t have to face off with improved powers Notre Dame and St. John’s in the Big East draw. But conference play gets serious from the get-go with road trips to Louisville and West Virginia. Also, good challenge to the pre-Big East play as well with trips to Florida (Big 10 Challenge), Cal State Northridge and Tennessee, where they’ll play the Vols and Ohio State.

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- GEORGETOWN (17-34, 8-18)
2009 RPI: 245
Starters Returning: 8
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 2
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 5

All Conference Candidates:
C Erick Fernandez (.349-5-28)
OF Tommy Lee (.308, 23SBs)
2B Chip Malt (.339)
RHP Tim Adleman (4-8, 5.72)
RHP Tommy Isaacs (2-2, 5.40, .239OBA)

The Good News:
The Hoyas will have a good bit of pitching coming back, including Adleman and soph-to-be Will Harris (3-9, 6.44) on weekends. Isaacs could be a huge key as he steps into a bigger role this season. Hoya pitchers hope to repeat last year’s control expertise as they issued a Big East low 163 walks. Fernandez is a valuable backstop and the first Georgetown player to receive All Big East honors since 2005. And if getting inspiration is a big deal to this team, consider that USA Olympic Goalie Jim Craig is the First Pitch Dinner speaker. The dude beat the Russians.

The Bad News:
Well there is still plenty of bad news as the team average of .279 needs to improve. The team fielding was a dubious .958, though you have to like that all four infielders return. The Hoyas also need to build up better toughness after going 4-10 in close games last season.

Schedule Note:
Five to four.
The Hoyas will have the luxury of hosting five Big East weekends and traveling for only four. But the home stretches won’t be easy since Notre Dame, Louisville and West Virginia come calling. Lots of winnable games early on should provide G’town with some confidence in February and March. We’ll see how that transpires on the win-loss columns.

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- LOUISVILLE (47-18, 19-7)
2009 RPI: 17
Starters Returning: 7
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 2
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 7

All Conference Candidates:
1B Andrew Clark (.350-9-55)
2B Adam Duvall (.328-11-51, 12SBs)
3B/OF Phil Wunderlich (.367-18-78)
SS Ryan Wright (.335-5-66, 12SBs)
OF Josh Richmond (.307-7-31)
OF Stewart Ijames (.351-8-39 in ‘08)
RHP Tony Zych (6-2, 3.25, 2svs, .235OBA, Freshman All Am.)
RHP Derek Self (7-0, 3.88, .260OBA, Freshman All Am.)
RHP Thomas Royse (3-2, 3.48, 2svs, 229OBA)
RHP Gabriel Shaw (3-1, 3.73, 3svs)

The Good News:
This is definitely a program that is not resting on its laurels. With three-straight 40+ win seasons, two straight Big East championships, three NCAA tournaments and last year’s step to the Super Regionals. That’s a testament to the mental toughness that Dan McDonnell instills in his teams. And he’s got a lot to work with in 2010 as this team is loaded once again. Look at the All Big East candidates list above, it’s legit. Each one of those guys could have huge seasons. THAT’s why there are so many smiling faces here. And the best part is, they also have NCAA tournament experience, which will make a big difference come June as the UofL tries to return to Omaha. Oh and though they lost the power source that was Chris Dominguez, the Cards get a huge shot in the arm with Ijames back in the outfield, after he missed all of 2009 with an injury. If the steady pitching (4.32, best in the Big East) and lock-down defense (.970, second in the Big East) continue, this team will be right back in the Supers again. Maybe more. RHP Matt Koch (37th round, Boston), 1B Zak Wasserman (21st round, San Fran), C Asaad Ali (40th round, Angels) and LHP Brian Feekin (44th round, Philadelphia) are part of a wicked-good incoming class.

The Bad News:
Well, it’s pretty big when you have two players taken in the top 100 picks of the draft, so replacing hulking 3B Chris Dominguez and Friday ace Justin Marks will be huge. But other than that – and that IS a lot – the Cards have everyone back. Starters Dean Kiekhefer (6-5, 5.00) and Bob Revesz (4-2, 4.40) need to improve their numbers just a tad to make up for the loss of Marks.

Schedule Note:
The prodigal son returns.
Coach Dan McDonnell returns to his old stomping grounds when the Cards play a three-game set at Ole Miss on March 12-14. Not only a return for him, but also a great test to see where his team is mentality-wise before Big East play begins. And unlike last year, when his team got drummed in three straight to start the season at Florida, this series will see his Cards be a lot more prepared with 12 games under their belts beforehand. Also, I love the season-ending series at Notre Dame that could decide the Big East champion.

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- NOTRE DAME (36-23, 15-13)
2009 RPI: 52
Starters Returning: 7
Weekend Starters: 3
Mid-Week Starters: 2
Key Relievers (25+inns.): 3

All Conference Candidates:
3B Mick Doyle (.327-3-31)
OF David Mills (.325)
RHP Cole Johnson (7-3, 4.47, .249OBA)
RHP Eric Maust (6-3, 4.94)
RHP Todd Miller (1-2, 5.40, 5svs)

The Good News:
The Irish seem to be making baby steps back to national recognition (pre-season No. 38 ranking by Collegiate Baseball). The off-field distractions are becoming fewer and fewer and this year’s team may be ready to break through. Lots of arms return to help make that climb back, including all three weekend starters, the mid-weekers and most of the relievers. In all, a full 488 of last year’s 519 innings come back to the roster. That’s good stuff, Irish fans. Beyond Johnson, Maust and RHP Brian Dupra (6-5, 7.13), LHP Steve Sabatino (3-0, 3.86) may get an increased role in his sophomore year. This arms staff will be the deepest in the Dave Schrage era under the golden dome. The infield returns three players with starting experience, including Doyle, 2B Greg Sherry (.273) and 1B David Casey (.330), who will take on a full time role. Mills will be the building block for the outfield and Cameron McConnell (.289-3-37, just 3Es) is developing into a quality backstop. There is still plenty of speed around, as witnessed by the Big East-leading 24 triples. Look for more runnin’ and swingin’ from the Irish.

The Bad News:
That 2006 40+ win team and last NCAA tournament bid is getting farther and farther in the rear-view mirror. This team needs to put it together, and now. Some valuable sticks will be gone from the 2010 team, including leading hitter A.J. Pollack who was the highest draft pick (17th overall) in school history, along with SS Jeremy Barnes and football wideout Golden Tate, who is going to the NFL. That was the three best hitters from the ‘09 team. Big hopes are that Evan Danieli (who lit up the Cape Cod League two summers ago) can play an injury-free year and can excel as expected.

Schedule Note:
The big showdown.
The Irish will host the Big East favorite Louisville Cardinals in the final weekend of the regular season in a series that could decide the regular season title and, who knows, maybe even have some post-season ramifications. The pre-conference slate isn’t necessarily a big RPI booster, but games against Ohio State, Kansas State, Stetson and Gonzaga will give some help. Otherwise, the Irish better pile up the Ws against their weaker competition. As Al Davis says, “just win, baby.”

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- PITTSBURGH (28-21, 13-13)
2009 RPI: 132
Starters Returning: 7
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 4

All Conference Candidates:
SS Danny Lopez (.323, 16SBs)
OF John Schultz (.319-3-30)
DH Kevan Smith (.363-3-21)
3B Joe Leonard (.316-5-35)
RHP Josh Smith (3-0, 4.33)

The Good News:
Nice turnaround for the Panthers, going from a 7-19 Big East mark in ‘08 to 13-13 and a spot in the post-season tournament. Five .300+ hitters return to the order off of a team that hit a healthy .307. The defense was outstanding at .971 and returns Lopez and Leonard on the left side and 1B Frank Mercurio (.306-6-28) to make for a solid infield. RHP David Kaye (3-4, 5.74) and RHP Corey Baker (6-3, 5.91) return to the weekend rotation. An all-new baseball stadium and indoor practice facility is in the works, showing that the Pitt administrators are showing the sport some love. I dig that.

The Bad News:
For the Panthers to go into “shock the world” mode, the pitching corps needs to jump up two or three more steps since the team ERA was 6.35 and opponents hit .314 off of them. Fix that little problem and the season becomes a success. (Yeah, I know, easier said than done). Top talent Chris Sedon (who hit .398 and 22HRs) was the heart and soul of this team and is now playing pro ball.

Schedule Note:
Favorable Big East slate.
The Panthers will not only avoid Notre Dame in the Big East rotation, they’ll also stay at home for St. John’s, Louisville and South Florida. The early season slate is chock-full of confidence-building wins, starting at Wofford and taking on winnable games vs. Albany, Ball State, Toledo, Fordham, Temple and Memphis.

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- RUTGERS (22-31, 8-19)
2009 RPI: 164
Starters Returning: 7
Weekend Starters: 3
Mid-Week Starters: 2
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 3

All Conference Candidates:
OF Michael Lang (.343-8-38, 10SBs)
1B Jaren Matthews (.328-6-28, 10SBs)
OF Pat Biserta (.326-5-36)
OF Jarred Jimenez (.311-5-39)
RHP Kyle Bradley (3-3m 5.73)
RHP Matt Giannini (3-5, 5.79, 2CGs in ‘08)

The Good News:
This team is ready to take a battering ram to their opponents. They ain’t for kids man. The Knights hit .292 last year, but have six players that went over .300, including their top three bats in Lang, Matthews and Biserta. Look for a strong left side as well with SS Dan Betteridge (.302) and 3B D.J. Anderson (.304), who will step into full-time duty this season. RU will thrive on experience this season with a lineup and arms corps both loaded with seniors and peppered with juniors. Weekend starters Casey Gaynor (2-9, 5.57) and Willie Beard (4-4, 6.30), both righties, should be much improved this season. Look for the triumphant return to the mound of Matt Giannini, who holds the school record with 40 starts on the bump, but had to sit out the 2009 season because of a shoulder injury.

The Bad News:
From 9th place in 2008 to 11th place in 2009. This is a program in tailspin mode. Just think, it was 2007 when they won 47 games. Crud. There are some holes in the hurlers as half of the Beard Brigade has moved on as Willie’s brother Ryan, the team relief ace with 8 saves, is no longer around to lean on. Trey Wargo(5-1, 4.73), the only other pitcher with significant innings and having an ERA under 5.00, has also moved on. The Knights also were second-to-last in the Big East with a .957 defense. Get your tool belts on guys. Time to go to work.

Schedule Note:
Here we go again, part 9.
Sigh… Is it some kind of rule that the Scarlet Knights always have to schedule weekend roadies at Miami and Georgia Tech? (or at least it seems like it). And again, when is the return trip going to take place? Anyway, those two are followed by weekends at Florida International and at Old Dominion, making for a rigorous start to the season for the Knights.

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- ST. JOHN’S (30-22, 16-11)
2009 RPI: 112
Starters Returning: 5
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 3
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 3

All Conference Candidates:
OF Jimmy Parque (.360-5-61)
3B/DH Greg Hopkins (.349-7-45)
3B/SS Joe Panik (.332-5-47, Frosh All Am.)
2B Matt Wessinger (.347)

The Good News:
The Johnnies look like a red-hot pick to burst back onto the national scene, coming off a 30-win “rebuilding” season and having nearly everyone back from that team. Having experienced arms up and down the roster will be a comfort for Coach Ed Blankmeyer, including RHP Ryan Cole (2-0, 3.49, 5svs) and Eddie Medina (5-3, 3.81), along with starter Bruce Kern (5-4, 6.09). The offense hit .349 (freakin’ A!) and has seven .300+ hitters coming back. Looks like the new players coming in have some umph to them as well. OF Jeremy Baltz (45th round, Yankees), RHP Matt Carasiti (36th round, Texas) and strapping RHP Kyle Hansen (40th round, Milwaukee) will look to lead the Johnnies back to prominence.

The Bad News:
Well, “off” seasons like last year don’t happen often at St. John’s, so we’ll see how they recover. Even though the offense was bonkers, five of the top eight hitters have left the program, including their spark plug Brian Kemp. Additionally, the pitching was pretty awful last year, not having a single starter with an ERA below 5.00. The defense wasn’t much better, going .963 in defensive chances. Must find some better clamp down pitching in the latter innings, since eleven of their losses came by a run or two last season.

Schedule Note:
Not sure if this is a good sign or a bad sign.
The Red Storm will have a much easier road this season as their pre-conference schedule is not as arduous as past seasons. They’ll face teams like Minnesota, North Carolina and Boston College, but only in single games, not three-game weekends. On the challenging front, they’ll travel to play at both Louisville and Notre Dame in Big East play.

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- SETON HALL (25-24, 13-14)
2009 RPI: 137
Starters Returning: 6
Weekend Starters: 1
Mid-Week Starters: 3
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 3

All Conference Candidates:
RHP Joe DiRocco (4-3, 4.66)
RHP Matt Singer (6-4, 4.12, 3svs)

The Good News:
The Pirates sort of hit their stride as the season went on, finishing with a 10-4 spree at the end. They also won weekend series with both Notre Dame and Louisville, so the ability is there. The pitching will have a lot of depth returning from a squad that was 2nd in the Big East at 4.35. Lots of junior-senior talent is back including top-of-the-order guys in OF Mike Rogers (.299) and SS A.J. Rusbarsky (.271), who will join 2B Chris Fontenelli (.243) as a solid double-play combo. C Nick Ammirati, a Marlins draftee last June, comes to campus after having caught for Detroit’s Rick Porcello in high school.

The Bad News:
It’s tough to see the wildly-talented Sean Black go to the big-money boys now, as well as Keith Cantwell, the two most-used pitchers on the roster. Sophs George Fernandez (1-0. 3.05, 13apps) and Collin McGowan (1-1, 6.11) will have to step into bigger roles to make up for the losses. The team hit a paltry .272 and sees their two best hitters in Matt Smedberg and Chris Affinito take off with the only two .300+ averages on the team. The schedule also sees Big East bottom-feeders Villanova and Georgetown nowhere to be found. Thems the breaks guys.

Schedule Note:
“Luck” of the draw?
Along with not getting the easier Big East teams, the Hall will get to play five home series in conference play and only four roadies this season. But those four will be tough jaunts, having to go to St. John’s, Louisville, South Florida and UConn.

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- SOUTH FLORIDA (34-25, 18-9)
2009 RPI: 73
Starters Returning: 9
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 3

All Conference Candidates:
RHP Randy Fontanez (7-3, 3.09)
RHP Derrick Stultz (5-4, 4.48)
OF Junior Carlin (.384)
SS Sam Mende (.319-5-37)
1B Todd Brazeal (.348-5-50)

The Good News:
Lelo Prado is finally cranking things up at USF, finishing second in the Big East last season and picked to do the same this year by the coaches. Consistency across the board for the Bulls as they finished 4th in the Big East in hitting (.315), pitching (4.79) and fielding (.968), and all with decent numbers as well. Just about everyone returns for coach Prado, including a potentially lethal rotation of Fontanez, Stultz and LHP Teddy Kaufman (3-5, 5.86), who was a mid-week starter last season. Ryan Lockwood (..289, 12SBs) plays a sweet CF with a lot of quicks. Also look for steady improvement from the infield, where SS Mende and 2B Peter Brotons (.327) will make a great double-play duo. If the arms corps can amp things up a bit, cut down on the walks and get the defense to complete more twin-killings, the Bulls should be able to stay in any game. A new state-of-the-art, minor league-like baseball complex is slated to be built as part of campus-wide construction for the athletics department.

The Bad News:
You don’t want to make a bull angry, but these guys have had the red ass for eight months after losing out on the Big East title with a season finale sweep vs. Louisville last season. That caused them to also miss the Big Dance. Some talent will need to be replaced, including the battery of RHP Shawn Sanford and C Trey Manz, who were both All Big East. The Bulls were a tad streaky last season, picking some awful times to go cold, like the Louisville sweep and going 1-4 vs. UConn, which eliminated them in the Big East tourney. With a new baseball stadium being built, USF won’t have any true home games this season – playing their games in Clearwater instead.

Schedule Note:
Better hit the ground running, or you’ll get run over.
USF could really be up against it right off the bat, having to play three at Florida, then getting Ohio State and Michigan in the Big East-Big 10 Challenge, playing Miami and traveling to the Sooner Classic to take on Oklahoma in two games.

Uber-talented Matt Szczur was the MVP of Villanova's national champion football team.

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- VILLANOVA (22-28, 6-20)
2009 RPI: 197
Starters Returning: 5
Weekend Starters: 3
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 2

All Conference Candidates:
RHP Brian Streilein (5-8, 5.46)
OF Matt Szczur (.346, 18SBs)
1B David Koczirka (.340)
LHP Mike Francisco (1-2, 4.24, 4svs)
3B Dain Hall (.289, 15SBs, only 7Es)

The Good News:
Though it was modest, replicating that 10-6 start from last season would build some confidence in the young Cats. It all starts with Streilein, who is expected to be a high round draftee and should give VU a fighting chance every Friday. Lefty Kyle Helisek (4-1, 5.55) may take on a bigger role after being the mid-week starter. Team defense of .970 was a huge strong point, finishing second best in the Big East, so let’s hope that continues. Szczur is a difference-maker in center field and on the basepaths.

The Bad News:
The Wildcats seemingly ran out of gas, going 4-12 down the stretch last season, including giving up nine or more runs in seven of those losses. All three weekend starters return on the mound, but RHP Chris Pack (3-7, 6.78) and LHP Kevin Crimmel (3-5, 6.33) must improve their numbers and get some help from the pen (other than Francisco) if the team ERA of 6.15 is going to come down. Besides that, there is very little power to this team (23HRs in ‘09).

Schedule Note:
No monsters.
Coach Joe Godri will admit last year’s schedule was a little more than Villanova could handle, starting out at LSU. But it’s much more reasonable this time around as almost every game in the non-conference (save for one or two) are winnable and should help the team build some confidence. Let’s hope for a little better finish this time.

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- WEST VIRGINIA (37-18, 17-10)
2009 RPI: 102
Starters Returning: 4
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 3

All Conference Candidates:
SS Jedd Gyorko (.421-8-58, 2nd team All Am.)
3B Dan DiBartolomeo (.439
RHP Jarryd Summers (7-3, 3.06, 99Ks, .239OBA)
RHP Chris Enourato (6-2, 3.66, 6svs)
RHP Andy Altemus (1-1, 4.28, 4svs)

The Good News:
The 37 wins in ‘09 tied the school high ever since coming to the Big East in 1996. And
talk about one, big, giant, highly-offensive baseball team. I mean, good God y’all! The ‘Neers had the best offense in the conference at a staggering .360 (not a typo). Three players hit .400+, including DiBartolomeo having the highest batting average in school history. Three part-timers will take bigger steps up this spring, including 2B Colin Durborow (.351), OF Matt Dvoroznak (.324) and UTL Justin Ellis (.313/4-1, 5.35), who is valuable on the mound as well. Speaking of, a couple of talented frosh will be, like Ellis, a year wiser and ready for breakout seasons in lefties Chase Pickering (3-2. 6.32) and Jonathan Jones (6-2, 6.57).

The Bad News:
Well, look at it this way, if Coach Van Zant had a staff full of Summers and Enourato clones, it’d be no problem because those two have All Big East abilities. But the depth behind them will be a major concern as the arms corps tries to improve its .300 opponents batting average. The Mountaineers had five All Big East players leave campus after last season. The other big worry is that the infectious hitting won’t be as prominent will the loss of four .325+ hitters off the roster.

Schedule Note:
More to hang their hat on.
Last year’s pre-conference schedule was more of an anchor to WVU’s RPI numbers. This year, though not great, is a little more helpful with games against Coastal Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana, Western Carolina, East Carolina and Illinois. They’ll also host an improved Manhattan team and Bethune-Cookman later on, both of which have a good chance at being in the NCAAs come June. Also gotta like that both Louisville and Notre Dame come to Morgantown in Big East play. Your bigger stage is waiting, so go get ‘em boys.