BC, H-SC, R-MC Also Receive First Place Votes
SALEM, Va. --- Virginia Wesleyan College sits
atop the 2008 ODAC Coaches' Poll with 90 total votes, but
predicting the winner of this season's campaign provided varied
points of view. VWC received four of the ten first place
votes, but four of the top five teams in this year's poll also
received top spot consideration.
Bridgewater College holds the second position in the survey with 79
votes including a pair of first place selections.
Hampden-Sydney College is a close third with 77 tallies and three
top predictions. Lynchburg College sits just two more votes
lower with 75 points, and Randolph-Macon College commanded the
remaining first place vote and 69 total points.
Virginia Wesleyan (23-17, 13-5 ODAC) finished in a tie at the top
of the ODAC standings with Hampden-Sydney (25-18, 13-5 ODAC) last
season. The Marlins ranked fourth in the league in hitting
with a .301 batting average, and led the ODAC in pitching with a
4.05 earned run average. They'll be looking to replace a
couple-tier talents including last season's ODAC batting champion
and Player of the Year, Matt Hudgins (.447 BA, 6 HR, 47 RBI, along
with ERA champion, Dave Whigham, (3-4, 2.00 ERA, 69 K's, 63 IP),
and wins leader, Chris Riviera (8-0, 2.44 ERA, 64 K's, 88.2
IP). Ozz Dhramapitaksook looks for another good season after
hitting at a .362 clip last year, and Jesse Freeman will look to
anchor the staff after going 3-3 with a 3.30 ERA in seven
starts.
Bridgewater (21-23, 12-6 ODAC) looks for a return trip to the NCAA
tournament after winning its ODAC record 12th league
title as season ago. Last year's ODAC Rookie of the Year,
Andrew Chrismer (.339, 5 HR, 37 RBI), heads a potent Eagle offense
that will have to replace the production of former Player of the
Year, Ricky Read (.380 BA, 7 HR, 41 RBI). Mike Graves (.360
BA, 17 RBI) and Michael Lenox (.393 BA, 3 HR, 24 RBI) will help
provide some punch while Nolan Shaffer (4-5, 3.72 ERA, 64 K's, 65.1
IP) heads the pitching staff.
Hampden-Sydney fell victim to Bridgewater twice in last season's
ODAC tournament, including the championship game. In an
effort to get over that final hurdle, the Tigers return six
starters throughout their lineup including top hitters Josh Michael
(.387 BA, 4 HR, 31 RBI), Ben Brawley (.316, 1, 18) and Luke Swiney
(.314, 0, 19). The pitching staff also returns two starters
in Daniel Hadra (6-3, 3.92 ERA, 63 K's, 82.2 IP) and Robbie Bailey
(5-1, 4.10 ERA, 43 K's, 52.2 IP).
Lynchburg (23-18, 12-6 ODAC) finished tied for first with
Washington & Lee (18-14, 11-7 ODAC) in batting with a .316 team
batting average, and placed second in pitching with a 4.53 team
ERA. Randolph-Macon (19-20-1, 8-10 ODAC) finished fifth in
the league in runs scored (244) and was the most patient squad at
the plate, drawing a conference-high 162 walks.
Listed below is the entire 2008 ODAC Baseball Coaches' Poll.
For more information on baseball and the rest of the ODAC
sports, visit the ODAC on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.
2008 ODAC Baseball Coaches' Poll
(#) denotes first place votes
School |
Votes |
1. Virginia Wesleyan |
90 (4) |
2. Bridgewater |
79 (2) |
3. Hampden-Sydney |
77 (3) |
4. Lynchburg |
75 |
5. Randolph-Macon |
69 (1) |
6. Washington & Lee |
55 |
7. Guilford |
33 |
8. Roanoke |
31 |
9. Eastern Mennonite |
21 |
10. Emory & Henry |
20 |