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Last modified: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 2:09 AM EDT
COLLEGE BASEBALL: Wheaton opens up tourney
NORTON - The No. 11 nationally ranked Wheaton College baseball team, including two former North Attleboro High Red Rocketeers, is headed to its fourth consecutive NCAA Division III Tournament and eighth in nine seasons, as the Lyons were selected as the second seed in this week's eight-team regional at Whitehouse Field in Harwich.
Wheaton (32-8) will meet Worcester State in an 8 p.m. game tonight. The remainder of the field has No. 4 Southern Maine (32-12) against Western New England (31-11), No. 1 Trinity (37-0) against Castleton State (22-18) and No. 3 Keene State (33-9) against St. Joseph's of Maine (28-16).
Four starters have combined for 22 wins and all have ERAs under 3.00, led by NEWMAC Pitcher of the Year, Adam Gingras (7-0, 1.61 ERA) of Woonsocket, and sophomore Nick Kostaras (5-0, 2.77 ERA) of North Attleboro.
Out of the bullpen, senior Keith Pescosolido (3-0, 1.98 ERA) of Newton, and junior Jared Barnes (1-1, 2.63 ERA) of North Attleboro, are the top hurlers.
Offensively, sophomore catcher Jeff Lieneck of Foxboro, via Xaverian Brothers High, is one of the Lyons' top hitters, batting .372 with 36 RBI and 35 runs.
NEWMAC champions for the ninth time, coach Eric Podbelski was named Coach of the Year for the eighth time in the program's 12 years of existence.
Wheaton has been solid in all aspects of the game this season, ranking eighth in Division III in earned run average at 3.36 and among the top 14 teams in three offensive categories. The Lyons lead the NEWMAC in ERA, fielding percentage and batting average (.321). |