Garrett Eagen
Sports Editor
With the 2009 season already underway, McDaniel was projected to finish 7th in the Centennial Conference. Based on years past, this seems fair right? If you are shaking your head yes, it’s time to wake up. Here are my rankings for the Centennial in 2009:
1. Johns Hopkins
2. Franklin & Marshall
3. Muhlenberg
4. McDaniel
My take:
When you look at the standings I have compiled, all four of my projected top teams are capable of being in any of the four slots. Johns Hopkins is always the team to beat. Other conference teams have to rebuild- Hopkins reloads. Already they have several players batting over .400 with one batting .609. Ouch. F&M is the returning conference champion, and even though they lost a hefty part of last year’s team, they have the means necessary to make another run this season. Muhlenberg? Christian Conti, enough said.
But what about McDaniel? Seems ballsy that I included a 13-19 team last season as a top team this year. But look at it this way- the team is loaded and HUNGRY- a dangerous combination. You take a solid pitching core with Persun, Graves (already named CC Pitcher of the Week), Rosato, Dronzsc, and even freshman additions and add it to the offensive potency of Baines Jr., Tipton, Croft, and Coover and you have a serious contender. In addition, the infield is also pulling their weight as Nieto, Zimmerman and Worm are adding hits and runs. However, not all things are green meadows and blue skies. The team needs work, and can improve both defensively and offensively.
McDaniel finishing 7th? Doubtful in my opinion and only time will tell. Rough roads await the Terror who have a mine-field of opponents ahead. Yet, a strong team chemistry and “never say die” attitude will prove useful in attacking these foes one at a time. My message to the team? Prove them all wrong.