Armed with a number of returning starters and a strong recruiting class, the Mary Washington College baseball team looks to earn a fourth straight NCAA Tournament trip and a third consecutive Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) title. The early-season weather turned into one of MWC's biggest foes last spring, but the Eagles still went 20-8 and participated in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional. Also, Mary Washington is one of just 13 teams to make the NCAA Tournament the past three seasons.
In '93, MWC finished among the NCAA Division III leaders in a number of categories, including hitting (.353/sixth), scoring (8.79 runs/seventh), stolen bases (3.04 per game/seventh), slugging percentage (.515/ 10th) while leading in triples (0.82/game). MWC was also fifth nationally in fielding percentage (.969).
The Eagles (ranked among the nation's Top 20 in each of the last four seasons) again face a tough schedule, including games against 1993 NCM teams Montclair State, N.C. Wesleyan, Ferrum, Methodist and Guilford. MWC scored crucial wins over Guilford and N. C. Wesleyan en route to its NCAA appearance, which concluded with defeats to 1992 national-champion William Paterson and '93 champ Montclair State.
Leading the veteran charges will be SS/CF Steve Blankenship (Jr./Louisa, VA), who in '93 was a First Team All-South Region selection after hitting.377with nine steals. Purdue University transfer Clayton Trivett (So./Springfield, NJ), a quality middle infielder, will likely bat leadoff, followed by Blankenship. Four-year starter Jeff Tidwell (Sr./Georgetown, DE), a three time All-CAC performer who hit .360 in '93, will bat third and play third base. First baseman Brian Lillis (Jr./Wilmington, DE) will likely bat cleanup after a .325 season (.613 slugging percentage and team-high 21 walks) in '93. Perhaps the team's biggest surprise was the hitting development of Brian Abel (Sr./Marion, VA), who hit .375 and earned All-Region honors at designated hitter. Abel- battling with catchers Nathan Payne (Fr./Danville, VA), Casey Russell (So./Fredericksburg, VA) and Chris Madden (Fr./Teaneck, NJ) - may see extensive action behind the plate this spring, possibly opening up a hitting slot for sophomore first baseman/DH Adam Wargo (Sterling, VA). Chris Wright (So./Unionville, VA) and Rodney Wilkerson (Fr./Appamattox, VA) will vie for outfield time, as will defensive specialist Tim Molino (So./ Springfield, VA), Steve Keiser (So./Kingwood, TX), Scott Stanton (Sr./Woodbridge, VA) and Bo Bradley (Fr./Staunton,VA). Brian Stigall (Sr./Richmond, VA) and Tim Elliott (Fr./Baltimore, MD) are the top candidates at second base. Other infielders to watch are John Guthinger (Fr./Scotia, NY), Jin Wong (Fr./ Vienna, VA) and Zach Billmeier (Fr./Yarmouth, ME). Sheridan also expects a few quality transfers to bolster the Eagles in '94.
Headlining a solid pitching staff is All-CAC and All Region senior Mark Matthews (Belmont, MA), who went 6-2 with a 1.86 ERA last spring. Senior Brian McRoberts (Turbotville, PA; 3-0/3.44 ERA), and sophs Kevin Cooke (Centereach, NY; 4-1/3.00), an All-CAC choice, and Joe Del Buono (Allendale, NJ; 2-0/0.00) are proven hurlers. Jeff DeSanto (So./Rockville, MD) - who has a live arm with great potential - joins veterans Adam Brecher (So./Lynnfield, MA) and Chris Sincavage (Sr./Plains, PA), while newcomers Seth Churi (Fr./Hightstown, NJ), Mike Luisi (Fr./Deptford, NJ), Jeff Hootselle (Fr./Alpharetta, GA) and Pete Sullivan (Fr./Fairfax,VA) are rapidly developing young talents on the Eagle staff.
Again, the Eagles will combine solid fundamentals with aggressive strategy to challenge opponents. Last season, Eagle baserunners stole 85 bases in 115 tries (.739), while scoring nine runs per game.