In 1992, Mary Washington College earned a second straight trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament (hosting the South Regional) and a fourth consecutive post-season appearance in a 25-10 season. In 1993, head coach Tom Sheridan welcomes back a veteran nucleus including a first-team All-Region catcher (Doug Sheldon), two All-Capital Athletic Conference pitchers (Alan Hall, Mark Matthews) and three All-CAC outfielders (Don Purcell, Jeff Tidwell and Jay Glover).
MWC captured its first CAC title in '92, with a 4-3 win at York in the title game. The Eagles also claimed impressive victories over Fairfield (Div. I), Juniata, Bridgewater, Virginia Wesleyan and Hampden-Sydney. The loss of a quartet of infield starters will leave MWC searching to fill important holes. Replacing Marty McConagha, the '92 CAC and ECAC South Region Player of the Year, at third base will likely be Tidwell (Jr./Georgetown, DE), a converted right fielder who hit .333 with 33 RBI last spring. Sophomore Steve Blankenship (Louisa, VA) takes the reins at short while Brian Stigall (Jr./Richmond, VA) and Richie Treger (Sr./Alexandria, VA) battle at second base. Freshmen Kevin Howie (Springfield, VA), Chris Wright (Unionville, VA) and David Carey (Wading River, NJ) provide additional middle-infield depth. Brian Lillis (So./Wilmington, DE), who hit a team-high .476 this past fall, joins veteran Chris Sincavage (Jr./Plains, PA), Adam Wargo (Fr./Sterling, VA) and Steve Keiser (So./Kingwood, TX) in competition at the corners and designated hitter.
The catching corps is in good hands with the four some of Sheldon (Sr./Westfield, NJ), Tim Madden (Sr./Teaneck, NJ), Brian Abel Or. / Marion, VA) and Casey Russell (Fr./Fredericksburg, VA). Sheldon was an All-Region choice after hitting .403 with 24 RBI and also was a first-team All-CAC selection. Madden is an excellent receiver who drove in 10 runs in 54 at bats, and Abel (also a DH candidate) has proven himself in spot duty.
Purcell (Sr./Devon, PA), a four-year starter in center led MWC with a school-record 39 RBI and hit .326 with 20 stolen bases in 22 tries. An ECAC South Region All-Star, Purcell will bat cleanup, while the catalyst from the leadoff spot will be a fellow first-team All-CAC performer in leftfielder Jay Glover (Sr./Pensacola, FL). Like Purcell an outstanding fielder, Glover - the Eagles' career steals leader with 59 - hit .320 with a team-high 22 thefts in 26 attempts. Freshmen Devin Robinson (Miami, FL), Tim Molino (Springfield, VA) and sophomore speedster Darrell Snyder (Arlington, VA) vie for the nod in right field along with steady junior Scott Stanton (Woodbridge, VA).
A mound staff which posted a solid 3.29 ERA in '92 returns relatively intact, as righties Hall (6-3, 2.48 ERA) and Matthews (5-3, 3.47 ERA) headline the starting rotation. Hall (Sr./Basking Ridge, NJ) was named an All-State and ECAC South Region All-Star, while Matthews was an All-Conference choice as a freshman and faced many of MWC's toughest opponents’ last season. Junior Brian McRoberts (Turbotville, PA; 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA this past fall) and senior Tim Rice (New Market, VA; 3-0 with a 2.94 ERA in 1992) are proven starters and long relievers. Freshmen to watch are Kevin Cooke (Setauket, NY; who went 2-0 with two saves and a 1.15 ERA in the fall), Joe Del Buono (Allendale, NJ), Casey Russell, Jeff DeSanto (Rockville, MD), Adam Brecher (Lynnfield, MA) and lefthander Bill Brantley (Chesapeake, VA).
Sheridan's teams take pride in manufacturing runs, as Eagle baserunners stole 117 bases in 155 tries (.755) in '92 while scoring nine runs per game. Two seasons ago, MWC led all NCAA Division III schools with a.969 fielding percentage, a result of the team's continuous emphasis on fundamentals.