This is one conference that lives by the Johnny-come-lately philosophy. One season, you’re in the dregs at the bottom of the standings, a year later you’re celebrating a title. That’s the nature of the NEC. Either way, at least it makes things interesting.

2009 in a Paragraph:
Go ahead, guess when the last time the regular season champion of the NEC represented the conference in the NCAA tournament. The answer is 2005. Yep, it’s been five years since the champion won the end-of-season tournament. Kinda makes this conference like the NHL – a worthless regular season. How does this keep happening? It almost angers me that the best team in the conference consistently ends up watching the Regionals from the sidelines. C’mon NEC, make a change in your ways. No offense to you Monmouth and your run to the NCAAs last year, but really NEC, when was the last time one of your teams made a splash of any sort in the Big Dance?

Conference RPI: 27

2009 Results
1- Wagner, 17-9
2- Sacred Heart, 16-10
3- Central Connecticut, 16-11
4- Monmouth, 15-11
4- Mount St. Mary’s, 15-11
6- Quinnipiac, 11-17
6- Fairleigh Dickinson, 11-17
8- Long Island, 6-21

2010 in a Paragraph:
Just three years ago, Wagner and Sacred Heart found themselves looking up the ladder from near the bottom of the NEC. But last year, they finished 1-and-2 and are favored to be the two teams to beat once again in 2010. Monmouth and Mount St. Mary’s are both heavy on returning experience as well and it should make for a great battle for the regular season title. The Northeast also adds in Bryant for the 2010 season, bringing in a 32-win team that is regularly a winner on the diamond. Good add.

Favorite: Wagner

Contenders: Monmouth, Sacred Heart, Mount St. Mary’s

Darkhorse: Bryant

Can’t-Miss Series of the Year: Monmouth at Wagner, April 16-18

Best Non-Conference Series: Wagner at Bethune-Cookman, March 10-13

Hot Coach: Wagner’s Joe Litterio

Hot Seat Coach: Don Maines, Long Island

The “You Gotta See” Player: OF Damian Csakai, Wagner

Three Non-Conference Series NEC Opponents Better Take Seriously:
1- Monmouth at San Diego Tourn., Mar. 5-7 (USD, SDSU, Kentucky)
2- Wagner at San Diego State, April 23-25
3- Sacred Heart vs./at Connecticut, March 19-21

Three Bold Predictions:
1- With addition of Bryant, the NEC’s conference RPI will jump up at least four spots.
2- The NEC will have three 30+ win teams. Would say four, but Monmouth’s schedule is too tough.
3- Central Connecticut State will surely make me pay for not including them as a contender or darkhorse above.

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- BRYANT (32-22)
2009 RPI: 119
Starters Returning: 7
Weekend Starters: 1
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 3

All Conference Candidates:
C Jeff Vigurs (.389-9-70)
OF Nick Campbell (.375-3-42)
RHP Eric Polvani (8-2, 2.04, 1sv)
LHP Mark Andrews (2-4, 4.38, 10svs)

The Good News:
All the ingredients are there for the Bulldogs to make an easy transition to the NEC and push for a conference title. They’ll have plenty of firepower to make a big splash, including seven of the top nine hitters off a team that hit .305. Virgurs and Campbell, the two .300+ hitters, will set the tone. They’ll also have three-fourths of the infield returning, including 2B Dylan Stone (.277) and power threat 1B Jamie Skagerlind (.273-7-31). Andrews could be the best closer in the conference and has RHP Matt Griswold (1-1, 3.48) to help out. Polvani was an All-New England pick last season and will be joined in the rotation by mid-week starter RHP John Michael Ryan (3-4, 3.94), a fireplug flinger that’s always around the plate.

The Bad News:
The ‘Dogs limped down to the finish last season, going 7-15 from April 4th to the end of the regular season. They’ll lose two of their bigger power sources in SS Pat McKenna and Pat O’Connor. Kevin Cobb (who went 7-0, 3.34 last season), will be sorely missed from the weekend rotation. The Bulldogs need to show some patience after earning just 164 walks last season. With a junior-senior heavy lineup, it’s make or break time for BU as they get used to their new environs.

Schedule Note:
The NEC did them a favor.
You’d think they’d put the Bulldogs through the wringer in their first go-round in the Northeast Conference play. But instead, the schedule-makers were kind by having their toughest opponents – Sacred Heart, Wagner and Central Connecticut – all coming to Smithfield.

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- CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE (26-22, 16-11)
2009 RPI: 194
Starters Returning: 6
Weekend Starters: 0
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 2

All Conference Candidates:
SS Anthony Sciadone (.351-4-30)
OF Richie Tri (.348-6-46)
DH Pat Epps (.346-3-51)
3B Sean Allaire (.329)
RHP Chris Chagnon (4-1, 5.32, 3svs)

The Good News:
Two really great things about last year’s team that will translate to this season are having six returning starters that all hit .299 or better come back to the lineup. Of those six, all four infielders return including three seniors in SS Sciadone, 3B Allaire and 1B Tommy Meade (.312). Additionally, sophomore 2B Mitch Wells, who hit. 299 and committed just six errors will spearhead the best defense in the NEC. The dual-threat relief corps of Chagnon and Dan Markoya (1-4, 4.99, 2svs), who are also both seniors, will help put the clamps on any late lead.

The Bad News:
The 0-2 showing in the NEC tournament left a bad taste in their mouths, especially losing both of them by the slimmest of margins. There is almost nil coming back in the pitching department as the mostly-senior staff was decimated by graduation, including losing all three weekenders. Also, the outfield will need to be retooled as well. The offense needs to utilize their speed more since the Blue Devils stole only 31 bases all last season.

Schedule Note:
Devils love a happy ending.
Central Connecticut will have some tough skiing right off the bat, playing non-conference games against the likes of Navy, George Mason, Seton Hall, Stony Brook and Rhode Island. Even the NEC slate will have early tests vs. Monmouth, Bryant and Sacred Heart. But where the Blue Devils take the easy road will be in their final weeks of the season, where they’ll finish up with three of the last four weekends at home against Quinnipiac, Wagner and Long Island.

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- FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON (16-34, 11-17)
2009 RPI: 270
Starters Returning: 7
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 1

All Conference Candidates:
1B Zachary Sand (.379-5-38)
CF Brian Dillon (.352-5-37)
2B Matt Holsman (.323)
RHP Spencer Kelly (2-1, 2.91, 4svs)

The Good News:
The 16 wins for the Knights in 2009 was the high water mark for the new century. Now lets see about getting more, guys. The Knights hit .296 last season, also the best in the 2000s, and have six .300+ hitters coming back, including the double-play combo of sophomores Matt Holsman and SS Mike Eliasen (.301). Weekend starters Nicholas Melchiorre (2-8, 4.73) and Michael Strachman (3-2, 6.42), a pair of seniors. FDU doesn’t have a lot of big-innings pitchers back, but does have a bevy of spot duty guys that will add depth.

The Bad News:
The pitching keeps on being a burr in the Knights saddle, dipping to 7.72 last season, 2nd-worst in the NEC. The defense improved last season, from .948 to .952, but there’s still a long way to go – though having all four infielders returning this season should help. Matt Maher was not only a leader in the clubhouse, but he also changed the game with his 30 stolen bases and .426 on-base percentage.

Schedule Note:
The not-so-sweet 16.
FDU only played 20 home games last season and are now slated to have only 16 home games for the 2010 season. Game one in Teaneck isn’t going to take place until March 30th, when the Knights host Manhattan. They’ll also play two of their last three weekend series in NEC play on the road.

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- LONG ISLAND (10-40, 6-21)
2009 RPI: 289
Starters Returning: 6
Weekend Starters: 0
Mid-Week Starters: 2
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 1

All Conference Candidates:
OF Chris Kievit (.303-8-36, 13SBs)
SS Greg DeSantis (.278, 17SBs)
2B/RHP Gerard Tingos (.271/5svs)

The Good News:
The Blackbirds should have a great infield and will no doubt improve on that awful .950 fielding percentage. Senior leadership will be huge as Desantis, Tingos and Kievit have been through the wars and lead by example. LIU was also one of the better base-stealing teams in the conference (98 out of 126) and should continue that. Getting LHP Kenny Cedel back after missing 2009 means they’ll get his 26 career starts back in the weekend.

The Bad News:
Even with the wildly talented James Jones in the fold and a lot of returning starters, the Blackbirds still managed just 10 wins in 2009. That’s especially harsh considering they were labeled the conference “darkhorse” last pre-season. Jones is now in pro ball and will be sorely missed. The worst news is that 42 of last year’s 50 starts is gone on the mound. The only good news from the pitching department is that saves leader Gerard Tingos (5svs) returns.

Schedule Note:
Tough road.
The Blackbirds have the misfortune of having to face NEC contenders Wagner and Central Connecticut on the road. In fact, the CCSU series comes on the final weekend of the season when the Devils will be trying to get wins for the NEC title chase. Perhaps this is a chance for LIU to play spoiler, no?

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- MONMOUTH (32-25, 15-11)
2009 RPI: 179
Starters Returning: 6
Weekend Starters: 3
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 2

All Conference Candidates:
OF Nick Pulsonetti (.355-11-53, 13SBs)
INF Jamie Rosenkranz (.320-6-26)
C Bobby Dombrowski (.321-5-33, 16SBs)
INF Ryan Terry (.320, 12SBs)

The Good News:
Three straight years of over 30 wins for the Hawks is something to crow about, especially when they made it to the NCAA tournament last June, playing in the Oxford Regional. The offense is stoked for an assault with five guys back who hit .300+, and that doesn’t even take into account Josh Boyd (.289), who stole a team-high 20 bases. Look for a lot of nervous opposing pitchers. The Nick Brigade will pace the pitching staff, with Nick Vallillo (3-2, 4.31) and Nick Meyers (1-1, 5.97) gaining bigger roles after being mid-week starters last season. Also, Nick McNamara (3-3, 2.97, 3svs) and Steve Sanguiliano (1-3, 4.13) will provide depth.

The Bad News:
First off, top starters Brett Brach and Ryan Buch will leave their Friday and Saturday starting posts. Replacing them will be impossible after all their years of mound experience. The defense was just .961 and will miss the reliability of Chris Collazo and Rick Niederhaus. Fortune didn’t seem to shine down on this team as the Hawks went just 2-7 in one-run games last season. A clear-cut No. 1 starter must be established amongst a young staff.

Schedule Note:
Big Dance opponents will make for rocky transition.
Coach Dean Ehehalt will certainly test his team early and often. They open the season with three games at George Mason (manageable) and then head to the west coast to take on the likes of San Diego State, Kentucky and San Diego in the SDSU Tournament (not-so-manageable). And as if that wasn’t enough, they’ll also play three games at East Carolina on the weekend before NEC play begins. That’ll put hair on your chest.

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- MOUNT St. MARY’S (23-25, 15-11)
2009 RPI: 236
Starters Returning: 8
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 2
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 1

All Conference Candidates:
RHP/DH Mike Matta (6-1, 3.83, 6svs/.256)
OF Shane Eyler (.380-15-45)
1B Josh Winter (.333-4-33)
OF Tommy Flynn (.325, 10SBs)
OF Buddy Fields (.303, 11SBs)

The Good News:
For the second straight season The Mount had a winning record in NEC play and won more than 20 games overall. They’re equipped to do better this year too with six .300+ hitters coming back to the batting order and 39 of the 48 starts coming back on the mound. Eyler is the best power hitter in the NEC (.717 slugging%) and a great leader. C Kyle Kane (.321-7-36) is another valuable bat with gap power and a solid defender (just 4Es). Matta is as versatile as it gets, as a DH and on the mound.

The Bad News:
Returning weekend starters LHP Brady Feigl (3-3, 6.46) and RHP Max Brittenham (3-4, 7.76) will need to bear down a tad more this season, since opponents hit .335 and .382 off them respectively. Hell, the same could be said for mid-week starters RHP Kent Worthington (3-6, 6.65) and RHP Brett Moore (3-4, 7.78). This team just needs a few better performances all the way around. The defense was 4th in the conference but still needs to improve its .957 percentage.

Schedule Note:
That 23-wins total is in jeopardy.
The Mountaineers have a legit shot to out-do their win total from a year ago considering they’ll have pre-NEC games vs. teams like Davidson, Presbyterian, Norfolk State, St. Peter’s, Penn and Maryland-Eastern Shore. They’ll also host three of their final five NEC weekends against Bryant, LIU and CCSU.

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- QUINNIPIAC (18-34,11-17)
2009 RPI: 237
Starters Returning: NA
Weekend Starters: NA
Mid-Week Starters: NA
Key Relievers (20+inns.): NA

All Conference Candidates:
NA

The Good News:
The Bobcats showed some flashes last year as they went 3-0 in the AmEast-NEC challenge last season, including a win over the AmEast champions in Binghamton. They also split a weekend series with NEC regular season champions in Wagner. As a staff, the Bobcats had decent control, issuing just 161 walks on the season.

The Bad News:
There is still plenty of bad baseball to improve upon, since QU was the worst hitting team in the NEC at a frail .280 and had a team ERA of 7.60. Staff ace Chris Gloor has moved on to play pro baseball now, leaving a big hole to fill. After stealing just 21 bases last season (lowest in the NEC), the ‘Cats could use an infusion of speed.

Schedule Note:
Carolina bound.
The Bobcats will start the season down in the Research Triangle area taking on N.C. State and Duke in five games to start off the season. They’ll follow that up with a tough weekend trek to William & Mary. Hell of a way for a weakened Northeastern team to start a season, huh? Aye.

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- SACRED HEART (29-27-1, 16-10)
2009 RPI: 186
Starters Returning: 5
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 1
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 2

All Conference Candidates:
C Jeff Heppner (.351-13-63)
OF/RHP Mike Drowne (.348-7-29/0-0, 3.18, 2svs)
OF Steve Tedesco (.326, 16SBs)
LHP Jared Balbach (8-2, 4.32)

The Good News:
The Pioneers were one of the biggest success stories in college baseball last year. They won only 12 games in 2008, but increased that total to 29 wins last year, including a second place finish in NEC play. which was helped by a 15-6 run to end the regular season. A good bit of pitching comes back, including two weekend starters, Balbach and LHP Matt Fitton (5-3, 6.47) and a mid-weeker in LHP Corey Corcoran (2-1, 4.97). Drowne is a valuable man at the dish (.348), on the rubber (2svs) and on the basepaths (18SBs).

The Bad News:
The Pioneers had some bad days as a full 14 of their 27 losses came by giving up double-digit run totals. The top three hitters from last year’s squad have moved on, including top hitter Jeff Hanson, who hit a hearty .425-12-54. The rest of the offense tended to get a bit hasty, striking out 361 times. The defense was horrible, sporting the 2nd-to-last percentage at just .950. That and the opponents’ .320 batting average must be ameliorated for this season.

Schedule Note:
Starting off with a Sale.
The Pioneers have the injustice of being the first team this season to face the wicked arm of Florida Gulf Coast’s Chris Sale, who is expected to be a 1st round pick this June. In addition, they’ll also have the misfortune of playing 13 of their last 17 games on the road.

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- WAGNER (31-21, 17-9)
2009 RPI: 192
Starters Returning: 7
Weekend Starters: 2
Mid-Week Starters: 2
Key Relievers (20+inns.): 1

All Conference Candidates:
1B Vin Avella (.307-16-48)
2B Seth Boyd (.312-5-36)
SS Brian Martutartus (.366, 18SBs)
3B/OF Jared Gruccio (.394, 11SBs)
OF Damian Csakai (.332, 37SB)
RHP Matt Watson (9-2, 3.64)

The Good News:
The NEC regular season champs are easily the faves again and loaded for more than 31 wins. The offense will wield some wicked sticks as seven of eight .300+ hitters are back on the roster. Defensively, the entire infield is back, which is something that makes coach Joe Litterio put on a big grin. Getting the services of RHP Andy Wells (2-4, 4.86 in ‘08) and Kevin McDonnell (.257 in ‘08) back again will be a boost. Not that it means a hill of beans to how the Seahawks will do this season, but it’s pretty cool to see alum Andrew Bailey get the AL Rookie of the Year Award in the pros.

The Bad News:
The most used arm in Kyle Morrison (8-2, 4.16) and the relief ace Andrew Huebner (13svs) have hit the bricks. Because of that, versatile arms like Mark Holmes (3-1, 4.46) and Ryan Van Spronsen (2-2, 4.97) will have to take step up their games a tad. The opponents’ .295 batting average could use some work too.
OF Joe Conforti (who hit .310, 13SBs) is a great force but will miss the season after having knee surgery.

Schedule Note:
The west coast trip.
Not satisfied just playing teams in their region, the Seahawks will take their bye weekend from NEC play and go to San Diego State for a three-game weekend in late April. Should be interesting, but I guess they’re glad they won’t have to go up against Stephen Strasburg.