Seton Hill Baseball
2006 & 2007 American Mideast Conference North Division Champions
2006 NAIA Region IX Champions
2006 NAIA East Coast Super Regional Champions
2006 NAIA World Series
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2009 Season Preview
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The void of not being post-season eligible the past two seasons will be filled with the Griffins first opportunity for an NCAA Division II and WVIAC post-season berth in 2009. SHU Baseball will work to return to the level it left the NAIA in 2006 as Conference Champions and World Series participants, battling through what may be the Griffins most challenging schedule to date. After opening the 2009 campaign at Concord, a 2008 top-25 regular, Seton Hill returns to Flagler College in Florida in early March. The Griffins will then face the University of Tampa, one of two opponents on the 2009 schedule from last year's NCAA II World Series, before playing out the remainder of the trip in Winter Haven, FL. SHU will match up with division foes Pitt Johnstown and Shepherd at home this year, facing Wheeling Jesuit and West Liberty on the road. The non conference slate boasts last year's North Atlantic Region champs Shippensburg, as well as 36-game winners IUP and PSAC contender California.
The Griffins are expected to ride a talented and deep pitching staff in 2009 as they return all but one regular on the mound. Matt McCartney, the lone senior on the staff and a 2008 WVIAC honorable mention, is expected to fill one of the rotation spots and will be counted on to replicate his junior performance (6-2, 3.24 ERA). Junior reliever Andrew Dinardo (22 appearances, 2.93 ERA, 6 saves) may see his role increased after a stellar summer in the AAABA league. A trio of sophomores will vie for rotation spots as well. This group includes two-time WVIAC pitcher of the week DJ Cannon (4-3, 2.81 ERA) and lefty Rick Raraigh (5-3, 3.42 ERA), both WVIAC honorable mentions last season. After a steadily improving freshman campaign, Brian Warheit (2-2, 3.23 ERA) is emerging as a solid rotation option or stopper out of the bullpen. Sophomores Dan Astfalk and Matt Schwartzmiller both logged seven appearances as freshmen and will be counted on for quality mid week starts this spring. Junior transfer Josh Guthrie (Point Park) will add both experience and depth to the staff after a full recovery from tommy john surgery. A young but talented bullpen for the Griffins will consist of sophomore Matt Whiteman, and freshmen Greg Daviault, Clint White, and Christian Muth. Newcomers Taylor Campbell, Jon Murphy and Kevin Urtz are expected to log significant JV innings this spring.
Senior Mike McCarthy (.381, 19 doubles, 42 SB's) will again handle the shortstop duties after being a 1st Team WVIAC selection last year. A typical season for McCarthy will anchor the Griffin offense as he looks to put an exclamation point on one of the finest careers in small college baseball. His brother David returns at second base after starting 43 games as a freshman, hitting .341 with 15 stolen bases. A crew of newcomers will battle at third base and the utility spots, including sophomore transfer Tom Deangelis (Marietta), freshmen Mark Diskin, Ed Skonieczny and Christian Muth. SHU looks to two solid options at first base - junior defensive specialist Mark Henry (.292, 11 RBI) and sophomore Jared Littler (.290, 16 RBI). Freshman Jeff Simon will back up the veterans and see extensive action at the JV level.
The outfield will welcome a number of new faces, but will again be led by junior centerfielder Luke Pisarcik (.269, 17 RBI). Senior Derek Donaldson will be in the mix, as well as last year's platoon outfielder, sophomore Pat Kohl. The Griffins welcome two left handed sticks that are expected to contribute in freshmen JR Tenney and Nate Defilippi. Other candidates rounding out a competitive outfield include sophomore Ed Lynch and freshmen Josh Logan, Taylor Engelbaugh and Arnaldo Rincones.
The catching group looks as strong as its ever been for the Griffins with the return of redshirt junior Pat Trettel (.256, 16 RBI in 2007). After a solid freshman debut, Anthony Agliori will add top-notch defense to the mix, with freshmen Mike Leviseur and Alex Hetrick rounding out a talented and competitive group behind the plate.
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