FOREST, Va. --- ODAC baseball teams are preparing to return to league parks for the first time since March as the conference progresses deeper into the spring campaign. With an ODAC championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament up for grabs, league coaches benchmarked what will surely be a competitive season in the 2021 ODAC Baseball Coaches Poll.
Three teams earned first place recognition with Randolph-Macon College standing atop the table with eight top nods on the way to 118 points. Shenandoah University collected 111 points including three first place votes. The University of Lynchburg secured the remaining first place consideration on the way to 98 tallies.
The remainder of the top-six was fairly close in the poll. Virginia Wesleyan University sits alone in fourth with 84 markers, but just one point separates fifth-place Ferrum College (75) from sixth-position Hampden-Sydney College (74).
STORYLINES: PICKING UP WHERE THEY LEFT OFF
The 2020 season was abruptly halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic with several developing storylines that teams will look reestablish as they open play in 2020.
- Going for Three-in-a-Row...Still | Shenandoah was well on its way towards a run at a third straight ODAC title. They were 10-2 on their quest when play stopped. Albeit with a year gap, that goal still persists a the Hornets look to become the third team to hoist at least three ODAC trophies in a row (Lynchburg 1980-84; Bridgewater 1994-96).
- Can We Start Fast Again | Randolph-Macon ran out of the gates to a 15-1 record last season, which perched them atop the final published poll by Perfect Game and ranked second by D3baseball.com/NCBWA. That 15-1 recorded marked the best start in program history. The Yellow Jackets are on an 11-game winning streak to start the season.
- League Strength | Speaking of winning streaks and fast starts, eight of the ODAC's 12 teams finished 2020 with .500 or better winning percentages. In addition to Randolph-Macon, five teams open 2021 having won their final games in March: Ferrum (2), Lynchburg (2), Bridgewater (1), Eastern Mennonite (1), Hampden-Sydney (1)
- Making Noise in the NCAA Tournament | ODAC teams will look to continue a trend of strong performances on the national stage. Since 2016, ODAC teams have gone a combined 32-18 (.640) with eight teams earning berths to the Division III field. Randolph-Macon has gone 10-4 with a national fourth-place finish in 2018 and narrowly missing an additional trip the Division III World Series in 2016. Shenandoah has twice knocked on the door of the final event in 2017 and 2019, going 13-9 since 2016. SU has reached the NCAA Tournament every year since 2014 and 10 of the past 11 years dating back to 2009. Roanoke, fresh off winning its first and only ODAC title in 2017, made the most of its experience with a national third-place showing. The Maroons went 6-3 in that bracket. Virginia Wesleyan also posted a winning record in its 2018 bid. The Marlins went 3-2 before bowing out.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING NATIONALLY ENTERING 2021
- Randolph-Macon and Shenandoah University remain in the national picture according to Perfect Game with both dropping just two spots in the pundit's poll from where they finished 2020. R-MC, last season's #1 team, chimes in third behind Webster University (Mo.) and the University of Southern Maine. SU ended 2020 in 12th position, but the Hornets now find themselves slotted 14th. Standing in their way of a top-10 spot are Adrian College, Texas Lutheran University, Chapman University, and Johns Hopkins University.
- D3baseball.com and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association have not yet published a 2021 poll.
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2021
Several standouts return to each squad in 2021. Listed below are a few players to keep your eyes on this season with a more in-depth look at each team in the capsules found at the bottom of this article.
POSITION PLAYERS
- Jarrett Biesecker, BC | 2020 ODAC ranks: 2nd in hits (24), 4th in runs (20), 8th in BA (.421), 9th in OBP (.515)
- Jordan Jones, EMU | All-ODAC 2nd Team outfielder in 2019; 2nd in the ODAC in SB (12), 3rd in walks (13) in 2020
- Jaylon Lee, EMU | All-ODAC 3rd Team outfielder in 2019; 13 career homers including 10 with 42 RBI in 2019
- Brett Lindsay, EMU | All-ODAC 2nd Team third baseman in 2018; 6th in the ODAC in hits (22) and 4th in doubles (6) in 2020
- Ray Tricarico, EMU | All-ODAC 2nd Team catcher in 2019; career .338 hitter in 201 ABs
- Chandler Kezele, E&H | 2020 ODAC ranks: 2nd in doubles (9), 4th in SLG (.630) and RBI (17), 6th in hits (22), 10th in BA (.407)
- Josh Greenway, FC | All-ODAC 2nd Team outfielder in 2019; 3rd in the ODAC in homers (3) and 6th in RBI (16) while hitting .313 in 2020
- Isaiah Hairston, GC | 2020 ODAC ranks: 2nd in OBP (.551) and SLG (.865), 3rd in HR (3), 4th in BA (.458)
- Nick Grohowski, H-SC | 2nd in ODAC in hits (24); hit .393 with 13 RBI in 2020
- Garrett Jackson, LYN | 2019 ODAC ROY as a third baseman and pitcher; hit .350 with 3 homers and 40 RBI in 2019
- Kinston Carson, LYN | All-ODAC 3rd Team at utility in 2019; 6th in RBI (16) and 8th in doubles (5) while slashing .327/.456/.418 in 2020; went 3-0 with a 2.61 ERA in 20.2 IP in 2020
- Ryan Duphorn, R-MC | All-ODAC 1st Team outfielder in 2018; career .335 hitter with a .442 OBP, 181 hits, 165 runs scored, and 69 SB; 2 errors in 296 total fielding chances in centerfield; 2nd in NCAA D3 in runs (25) in 2020
- Mike Nickles, R-MC | 2019 ODAC POY and 1st Team at third base; led the ODAC and was 2nd in NCAA D3 in doubles (12) in 2020; led the ODAC in total bases (39) in 2020; in 2019 POY season, slashed .358/.461/.642 with 7 homers, 43 RBI, and 10 SBs
- Shawn Nickles, R-MC | All-ODAC 1st Team outfielder in 2019; led the ODAC with 25 RBI while slashing .339/.423/.532 in 2020
- Reece Yeargain, R-MC | All-ODAC 1st Team catcher in 2018; 3rd in runs (21) and 6th in hits (22) while slashing .361/.474/.459 in 2020
- Gavin Kandrick, RC | All-ODAC 3rd Team catcher in 2019; career .307 hitter (.300, .314, and .302 in his 3 seasons) with 35 RBI; has thrown out 28-of-83 (.337) would-be basestealers
- Will Salva, RC | 2018 ODAC ROY and 2nd Team at DH; hit .329 with 5 homers and 37 RBI in 2018 season
- Frankie Ritter, SU | led the ODAC in triples (4) and was 9th in SLG (.565) while hitting .348 and posting a .415 OBP in 2020
- Grant Thompson, SU | All-ODAC 1st Team outfielder in 2018; 2020 ODAC ranks: 2nd in BA (.479), 5th in OBP (.537) and hits (23), 7th in SLG (.583); career .339 hitter with 133 htis, 88 runs, and 80 RBI
- Keegan Woolford, SU | All-ODAC 1st Team DH in 2018 and 3rd Team in 2019; 2020 ODAC ranks: 1st in HR (5), OBP (.600), and SLG (.927), 2nd in runs (22) and RBI (20), 3rd in BA (.463) and total bases (38); career .342 hitter with 29 HR and 143 RBI
- Dylan Gentry, VWU | slashed .365/.421/.442 with 7 SBs in 2020
- Jackson Gazin, W&L | led the ODAC with 16 SBs in 2020; slashed .404/.475/.500
PITCHERS
- Brett Tharp, BC | one of three players in the ODAC with three saves to tie for sixth nationally in 2020
- John Judy, EMU | went 3-1 with a 1.73 ERA and 34 Ks in 26.0 IP
- Will Davis, FC | went 3-1 with 32 Ks and a 2.67 ERA in 27.0 IP
- Trenton Tiller, H-SC | went 3-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 23.1 IP
- Santiago Meneses, LYN | All-ODAC 3rd Team relief pitcher in 2019; 7 saves with 36 Ks in 39.0 IP over 37 career relief appearances
- Brandon Pond, LYN | best returning ERA at 1.29 (min. 1.0 IP per team game)
- Grayson Thurman, LYN | one of three players in the ODAC with three saves to tie for sixth nationally in 2020
- Matt Nickles, R-MC | led the ODAC with 54 Ks, 16.76 K/9, and a 2.79 ERA in 29.0 IP
- Kevin Ledford, RC | All-ODAC 1st Team relief pitcher in 2019; 8 saves and a 1.88 ERA with 80 Ks over 72.0 IP in 39 career relief appearances
THE SCHEDULE AND TOURNAMENT
- The ODAC conference schedule is unaltered from previous seasons with teams slated to play 22 league games featuring two each -- most times doubleheaders -- against other league opponents.
- As is consistent with all ODAC sports, the number of non-conference games played will be determined by each school. The maximum number of games -- conference plus non-conference -- remains at 40 events.
- The 2021 ODAC Baseball Championship will not be conducted in Salem. This season's format maintains an eight-team field and will feature three rounds of "best-of-three" competition hosted at campus sites.
- First Round: Friday, May 7 (doubleheader) at seeds 1-4 | if necessary, Sunday, May 9 (single game) at same hosts
- Second Round: Friday, May 14 (doubleheader) at two highest seeds following first round | if necessary, Sunday, May 16 (single game) at same hosts
- Championship: three games (a doubleheader and an "if necessary" single game) between Wedneday, May 19 and Saturday, May 22; dates will be finalized as the event approaches
- The NCAA has shifted selections for the Division III Baseball Tournament back one week with a reduced field size. The new selection date is Sunday, May 23.
Listed below is the 2021 ODAC Baseball Coaches Poll. Be sure to check out the preseason capsules for more details on each team.
For more information on ODAC baseball, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram.
2021 ODAC BASEBALL COACHES POLL
(#) Denotes First Place Votes | |
1. Randolph-Macon College (8) | 118 pts. |
2. Shenandoah University (3) | 111 pts. |
3. University of Lynchburg (1) | 98 pts. |
4. Virginia Wesleyan University | 84 pts. |
5. Ferrum College | 75 pts. |
6. Hampden-Sydney College | 74 pts. |
7. Bridgewater College | 60 pts. |
8. Roanoke College | 55 pts. |
9. Washington and Lee University | 45 pts. |
10. Eastern Mennonite University | 34 pts. |
11. Guilford College | 24 pts. |
12. Emory & Henry College | 14 pts. |