The MAAC definitely has it favorites – and it always seems like those favorites end up flopping in the conference tournaments. So just call this the “Free-for-all” Conference, where looking good and winning titles don’t mean anything unless you do it at just the right time.
2009 in a Paragraph:
Canisius and Manhattan have easily been the class of the conference the last two years, going 74-24 over that time in conference games. But neither have made the field of 64 for the post-season because of going cold on each of the previous two MAAC tournament weekends. Curses! Last year it was Marist that got the plum by sweeping through on that final weekend, before getting bounced in two straight in Tallahassee. But three teams ended up with 30+ wins and five overall had winning seasons. That’s pretty good for the MAAC.
Conference RPI: 28
2009 Results:
1- Manhattan, 18-6
2- Canisius, 16-8
3- Marist, 15-9
4- Rider, 14-10
4- Niagara, 14-10
6- Fairfield, 10-14
7- Siena, 9-15
8- St. Peter’s, 7-17
9- Iona, 5-19
2010 in a Paragraph:
The Griffins and Jaspers will still be the heavy favorites once again, but there will be overall improvement across the board from this conference, with all that is coming back. Look in particular for the team ERAs to improve this season as most teams find a pitching-heavy bent to their squads and are bound and determined to improve on the poor ERAs from last season. In the end, though Marist, Rider, Niagara and Fairfield have enough to knock them off from time to time, it will still be all about Manhattan and Canisius, who could both stalk the 40-win plateau again.
Favorites: Canisius, Manhattan
Contenders: Marist
Darkhorse: Fairfield
Can’t-Miss Series of the Year: Manhattan at Canisius, May 8-9.
Best Non-Conference Series: Manhattan at Liberty, March 19-21
Hot Coach: Mike McRae, Canisius
Hot Seat Coach: Pat Carey, Iona
The “You Gotta See” Player: OF Kevin Nieto, Manhattan
Three Non-Conference Series MAAC Opponents Better Take Seriously:
1- Manhattan at UAB, April 24-25
2- Marist at James Madison, Feb. 19-21
3- Canisius at Dayton, March 19-21
Three Bold Predictions:
1- Tired of the B.S., the MAAC tourney will come down to Canisius and Manhattan.
2- Iona, long dormant, will show the most improvement in the MAAC, at least doubling their win total.
3- Because of their experience and easier schedule, on Tax Day, Fairfield will have the best winning percentage… but will lose it down the stretch.
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- CANISIUS (36-22, 16-8)
2009 RPI: 148
Starters Returning: 6
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 3
All Conference Candidates:
RHP Shane Davis (9-2, 6.84)
RHP Mike Goemans (7-6, 4.68)
OF/RHP Shayne Willson (.340-9-37/3-2, 4.34, 4svs)
1B Brian Burton (.290-6-27)
2B Steve McQuail (.314-10-45)
OF Ian Choy (.359-9-36)
The Good News:
This team was red hot down the stretch, going 18-6 from Tax Day on and reached the MAAC title round for the first time in school history. They are loaded for another 35+ win season with plenty of firepower and solid defense coming back for 2010. Two weekend starters, the mid-week starter and the three clamp-down relievers all return to the arms corps. Or should I say, the well-armed corps? Davis has gone 21-3 the last two years and has received some 1st Team All American mention, while the rest are ready to earn more accolades too. Wipe your brow when you go to the plate against these guys. Lots of All-MAAC talent abounds as you see in the list above. Burton and McQuail form a solid right side of the infield and are key components why the defense fielded at a .971 pace last season. Strong.
The Bad News:
There must be a Marist jinx. The Griffins went just 2-4 vs. the Red Foxes on the season, including two losses in the MAAC tourney. Wow. The pitching staff’s overall ERA was 6.19, which MUST be lowered. The pitching depth won’t be a problem, lots of arms on deck, but there’s a lot of youth there, so they must grow up quickly to back the studs. Another season of .300 hitting from the opposition won’t get them to the promised land. There has also been a little bit of position transition in the field, as a new left side on the infield must be ironed out.
Schedule Note:
Better character building.
The Grifs will play a bit more rugged of a slate against some quality mid-majors in pre-conference play. They’ll start with two solid Horizon clubs in Wright State and Illinois-Chicago. Then a trip to Lipscomb comes next, followed by the Johnny Gill Tournament, which has Toledo and Winthrop. As if that wasn’t enough, they’ll also travel to Dayton, who won the A-10 last season, on the last weekend before MAAC play kicks in. Should show in a better RPI this season
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- FAIRFIELD (20-27, 10-14)
2009 RPI: 240
Starters Returning: 8
Weekend Starters: 3
Mid-Week Starters: 2
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 1
All Conference Candidates:
RHP Rob Gariano (5-4, 3.43, 88ks in 84inns, All-MAAC)
2B Tucker Nathans (.377)
OF Carmine DeVito (.336)
C Chris Horning (.304, just 3Es)
RHP Justin Servino (1-3, 4.91, 6svs)
The Good News:
There was improvement all across the board for the Stags last season, including raising the team average from .251 in ‘08 to .292 last year. That was huge. With most of the team returning for 2010, there is optimism that this could be a turnaround season. The team ERA was the second-best in the MAAC at 5.73, and most of those arms return. They’ll also welcome back LHP Dan Urbanovich, who missed 2009 but was 4-1, 5.35 in 2008. Nathans’ 69 hits in ‘09 was the school record for a season.
The Bad News:
The Stags have improved in most of their numbers, but the offense was still not quite there to contending levels and the defense, which played at a .952 pace, must be further improved. Unfortunately, there was absolutely no left handed pitchers of note in the Stags’ arsenal, which is why Urbanovich’s return is so vital.
Schedule Note:
MAAC home cooking.
The Stags have the luck of the draw when it comes to conference play, getting Manhattan, Canisius and Marist all at home. The schedule is pretty manageable overall, with winnable games in the pre-conference play. Don’t be shocked by a 30-win season in 2010.
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- IONA (6-40-1, 5-19)
2009 RPI: 295
Starters Returning: 9
Weekend Starters: 3
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 2
All Conference Candidates:
OF Chris Leahy (.337)
OF/RHP Chris Burke (.301/0-6, 8.24)
The Good News:
Coach Pat Carey knows his team had a lot of young players last year that will grow in maturity this season. Five of last year’s starters were freshmen, including Burke and OF Dean Dignelli (.276-7-24), who will be the power source for the Gaels. This is also a very smart team, as witnessed by the Gaels leading the conference with 10 Academic All-MAAC members.
The Bad News:
Woebegone. That’s the word that comes to mind. Once again Iona was the weakest hitting and weakest fielding team in the MAAC and also had a team ERA of 9.66, also the worst in the conference. LHP Brian Callahan (3-5, 5.46) returns to his weekend post, but is the only pitcher to have an ERA below 6.00. Iona was outscored 496-to-195, including a staggering 75-14 in the 1st inning alone. This team needs a miracle.
Schedule Note:
Early Ws?
Iona was pretty woeful in every way last season, including in scheduling a bunch of teams it couldn’t beat. But this season, the Gaels will start off with some winnable possibilities vs. teams like North Carolina Central, Delaware State, Coppin State, New York Tech and Sacred Heart… all in the first 15 games of the 2010 season.
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- MANHATTAN (35-18, 18-6)
2009 RPI: 149
Starters Returning: 7
Weekend Starters: 3
Mid-Week Starters: 2
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 2
All Conference Candidates:
CF Kevin Nieto (.396-13-54, 25SBs)
RF Mike McCann (.388-13-59, 10SBs)
LF Mark Onorati (.351-5-54, 14SBs)
RHP Mike Gazzola (7-1, 4.15, .256OBA, 4CGs)
1B Austin Sheffield (.349-7-47)
3B Chad Salem (.380-8-45)
C/DH Jamie Fitzgerald (.325)
C/DH Anthony Armenio (.308-9-61)
RHP Tom Moran (5-1, 4.80, 6svs)
RHP Tom Costigan (7-2, 5.40)
The Good News:
Man, these guys are loaded and ready for a serious run at the Big Dance, don’tcha think? Looks like that stellar 2007 recruiting class is all grown up and ready to kick some serious A. The 35 wins in ‘09 tied a school record. Look at those offensive numbers above – those aren’t misprints people. They really do return seven legit, full-time .300+ hitters. As a team they hit .350 last season – good for 5th in the country. RHP Mike Giordano (6-4, 4.43) and LHP Matt Jordan (4-5, 5.56) each started eight games as freshmen in 2009 and should ease into bigger roles and better numbers.
The Bad News:
Well let’s be Mr. Obvious here, the biggest thing is the Jaspers pulling another MAAC regular season title with the best record, but missing the NCAAs again after a 1-2 conference tournament. The defense was a lackluster .961, so improvement is imminent. Opponents still hit .292 off of the arms corps, not horrible, but could be worked down a bit. Must get tougher mentality, 10 of their 18 losses were by one or two runs. Hunker down Big Green!
Schedule Note:
Role reversal?
Okay, I’m not saying it will happen, but with Miami in a down cycle last season and Manhattan expected to be the class of the MAAC, could the Jaspers pull off an upset or two on the opening weekend down in Coral Gables? Depends on how many outdoor practices M.C. gets I suppose. Regardless, the rest of the pre-conference schedule is manageable, so look for some good wins. Eleven of the final 14 games on the schedule will come at home. Let’s hope this translates into a big finish in the post-season, instead of another flame out.
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- MARIST (31-28, 15-9)
2009 RPI: 175
Starters Returning: 8
Weekend Starters: 3
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 3
All Conference Candidates:
OF Ricky Pacione (.335-8-51)
C Bryce Nugent (.318-8-42, just 4Es)
RHP B.J. Martin (5-6, 4.36, .248OBA)
The Good News:
The Foxes put the stems on two straight losing seasons and returned to their Big Dancing ways by playing in the Tallahassee Regional last June. They showed some solid mettle too, winning a trio of tight games in the MAAC tournament to win their way to the Regionals. Now the Red Foxes return a whole host of talented players, including six hitters that went .293 or better and seven of the top nine hurlers off a staff that had a stellar 4.79 team ERA. Martin will be joined by returning starters Kyle Putnam (4-4, 4.08) and Sean McKeown (3-3, 4.85) and reliever extraordinaire RHP Jake Rifkin (1-5, 3.69) to continue a wicked good arms corps. Another 30+ win season and trip to the NCAAs isn’t out of the question. In fact, I’d say it’s a damn fine answer for this team.
The Bad News:
There were a number of dry spells and cold streaks that nearly cost this team the glass slipper last season. The .959 defense was one of the more egregious mistakes, though you know what a year’s experience will do for them. And how valuable was Jacob Wiley? He not only went 9-1 last year, but he also earned six saves. He was a large part of the arms corps and now he’s gone.
Schedule Note:
A ridiculous amount of road miles from start to finish.
The Red Foxes will open the 2010 season with 19 straight games away from home (including daunting trips to James Madison, Charlotte and the Villanova Classic) and then will close the 2010 season with 11 straight road games, including MAAC roadies at Rider, Canisius and Fairfield. Strange schedule.
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- NIAGARA (20-35, 14-10)
2009 RPI: 269
Starters Returning: 7
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 0
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 2
All Conference Candidates:
RHP Marcus Spaulding (4-5, 5.06)
2B Brian Deering (.356-6-39)
SS Jason Cramer (.316-4-32, 11SBs)
OF Timothy Cozier (.298-4-23)
The Good News:
New coach, new enthusiasm. Rob McCoy goes from being an interim head coach to getting hired as the new permanent head coach. After a 14-10 MAAC season, we can see why. The top five hitters return from last season, all hitting .298 or better, so the team average of .280 should easily be bested. Two weekend starters, Spaulding and Joe Candlemo (3-6, 6.36) are back, as are key saves-men Dennis Chachko (0-0, 3.38, 2svs) and Adam Wagner (3-4, 9.09, 5svs).
The Bad News:
The Eagles had a lot of experience returning in 2008, but (slightly) underachieved by missing out of the MAAC tourney field. Having all three weekend starters coming back last season, didn’t seem to help either as the Eagles team ERA was a disappointing 6.79. They also tied Iona for the worst defense in the conference at .937. The staff will sorely miss Michael Keller, who was the only effective arm on the staff, going 6-4, 4.88.
Schedule Note:
Welcome to Honeymoonland.
The Purple Eagles will spend most of the last half of the season near their Niagara Falls home, playing 12 of the final 19 games at their own Sal Maglie Stadium, including MAAC weekend series vs. St. Peter’s and Canisius. Also, the opening weekend at Vanderbilt will be a skullcrusher.
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- RIDER (26-23, 14-10)
2009 RPI: 217
Starters Returning: 4
Weekend Starters: 0
Mid-Week Starters: 3
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 2
All Conference Candidates:
LHP Mike Thomas (5-3, 3.88, .253OBA)
2B A.J. Albee (.351-12-58)
3B Mason Heyne (.295-11-49)
RHP Nate Eppley (2-1, 3.86)
The Good News:
Broncs will host the 2010 MAAC post-season tournament, giving them the much-desired home field advantage at the best time of the season. Three-fourths of the infield returns to the fore and should improve the .954 defense. Solid power also returns with Albie (12HRs), Heyne (11HRs) and 1B Steve Gelella (.277-7-36) providing some bash ability.
The Bad News:
The Broncos have lived with those two 1-loss games in the MAAC tournament for eight months now, which is maddening. In fact, Rider lost 10 of its 23 games by one-or-two runs last season. More discipline is needed, as the Broncs uncorcked a MAAC-high 57 wild pitches and turned only 34 double plays. Leadoff man extraordinaire James Hayes will be missed for his bat (.330), his speed (24SBs) and also his closing ability on the mound (7svs).
Schedule Note:
They’ll know early on whether they’re up to snuff.
The schedule will see the Broncos take on the two big conference favorites in Manhattan and Canisius within the first three weeks of MAAC play. Seven of their last eight games will be road games, including bottom-feeder Iona on the last weekend, helping their cause for post-season jockeying.
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- ST. PETER’S (17-37, 7-17)
2009 RPI: 285
Starters Returning: 5
Weekend Starters: 3
Mid-Week Starters: 0
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 1
All Conference Candidates:
SS Conor Mullee (.276-6-38), 1st team All-MAAC)
2B Justyn Carter (.316, 31SBs)
OF Brandon Edwards (.291, 11SBs)
The Good News:
The young pitching staff will grow up even moreso this season as all three weekenders return, led by sophs Ethan Jackson (3-9, 5.54) and Dom Macaluso (5-5, 6.65). OF Sean McFadden led the team in hitting at .364 and should step into a full-time role this season. Watch for strapping 1B/RHP Mike Schaaf, who was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 17th round of last June’s pro draft, but decided to come to school anyway.
The Bad News:
It’s great to see that the Peacocks are competitive again, but still haven’t put together a winning MAAC mark since 1997. The 3-16 start to last season crushed their confidence early on. To help the woebegone offense, which hit just .269 as a team, OF Michael LaCava (.219) needs to revert to his ‘08 form, where he hit .280 and stole 14 bases. And really, do I need to bring up the sour-puss defense (.955)? I didn’t think so.
Schedule Note:
What’s the best way to remedy a 3-16 start?
By having teams like Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Mount St. Mary’s and Delaware State in your pre-MAAC slate. The Peacocks will play a slightly softer schedule than last season and, if they find some more pitching depth, could easily surpass the 17-win mark of last year.
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- SIENA (15-35, 9-15)
2009 RPI: 252
Starters Returning: 5
Weekend Starters: 1
Mid-Week Starters: 3
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 2
All Conference Candidates:
2B Dan Paolini (.430-11-53)
3B Anthony Giansanti (.355-14-37, 20SBs)
1B Kevin Quaranto (.341-7-40)
C Gary DerHagopian (.289-6-17, no errors)
The Good News:
Get ready to be offensive. That’s what the Saints will be this year as their top three hitters, all with great power, bring their potent bats back to campus. Look for the .284 team average to blow up in 2010. The Saints seemed to get better down the stretch, going 7-5 to end the ‘09 season. Giansanti was drafted by the A’s last June but decided to come back. Defensively, look for a lot of improvement, especially with a stout backstop like DerHagopian and the experienced infield.
The Bad News:
Considering all the experience they had coming back last year, going from 30 wins in ‘08 to just 15 in ‘09 was an unexpected drop. The 7.91 ERA was a real problem, especially when you consider there is not a single returnee with an ERA below 6.00. Lots of new arms will have to be relied uponThe defense, though expected to improve significantly, was just .946 last season.
Schedule Note:
The usual beatdowns.
Siena has a knack for over-scheduling like no other program in the country. Sadly, 2010 will be no different. I mean, if LSU opened with games against Stetson, Florida, UCF, South Alabama and Georgia, you’d probably say, “That’s a pretty tough schedule of games.” Well, it’s actually Siena’s first 15 games… all on the road. Gah!