Northeastern Picked To Repeat As CAA Baseball Champion In 2022
Rob Washburn
RICHMOND, Va. (February 2, 2022) – Northeastern, which captured its first CAA baseball championship in dramatic fashion last May, has been picked to repeat in 2022 according to a vote of the league’s head baseball coaches.
The Huskies received six first-place votes and 62 total points to finish atop the preseason poll. Perennial power UNCW got three first-place votes and ranked second with 59 points, while Charleston was third with 48 points and Elon finished fourth with 43 points. Placing fifth was James Madison, followed by William & Mary, Towson, Delaware and Hofstra.
UNCW junior infielder Brooks Baldwin and Northeastern sophomore pitcher Cam Schlittler were honored as the CAA Co-Preseason Players of the Year. Baldwin batted .325 with 15 homers and 45 RBI’s last season, while Schlittler received Freshman All-America accolades after going 8-1 with a league-best 1.88 ERA and striking out 85 over 76.2 innings.
Northeastern is coming off a sensational 36-12 season, capped by a pair of 10-inning victories over UNCW to claim the CAA Baseball Championship for the first time. The Huskies’ lineup features three preseason All-CAA selections with infielders Max Viera (.345) and Danny Crossen (.336) and outfielder Jeff Costello (.329, 34 RBI’s). Schlittler anchors a NU pitching staff that also includes starters Sebastian Keane (6-1, 4.09 ERA) and Wyatt Scotti (4-2, 2.82 ERA).
UNCW went 32-22 last season and reached the finals of the CAA Baseball Championship for a league-record sixth consecutive year. Returning along with Baldwin to the Seahawks’ lineup are All-CAA catcher Matt Suggs (.286, 11 HR), shortstop Taber Mongero (.307) and outfielder Dillon Lifrieri (.305). UNCW’s pitching staff includes starter Ethan Chenault (3-1, 4.03 ERA) and all-conference closer Hunter Hodges (2-3, 3 saves).
Charleston has six players back in its starting lineup from last year’s 27-25 squad. Topping that group are designated hitter Tanner Steffy (.333) and infielders Joseph Mershon (.314) and Trotter Harlan (.291). On the mound, the Cougars welcome back their top three starters with Ty Good (7-5, 3.71 ERA), Connor Campbell (6-4, 4.07 ERA) and Trey Pooser (4-2, 4.67 ERA).
Elon posted a 22-22 overall mark during the 2021 season. All-CAA outfielder Alex Iadisernia (.368, 10 HR) was one of five Phoenix players to make the preseason all-conference team. He was joined by infielder Cole Reynolds (.292) and outfielder Justin Cassella (.276), as well as pitchers Joe Savino (0-3, 3.02 ERA) and Trevor Kirk (4-1, 3.28 ERA).
James Madison returns four of its top five hitters from last year’s 11-17 squad. Preseason All-America outfielder Chase DeLauter (.386) tops the group along with Carson Bell (.346), Kyle Novak (.315) and Travis Reifsnider (.314). Back on the mound for the Dukes are starter Justin Showalter (1-2, 4.37 ERA) and closer Lliam Grubbs (1-0, 4 saves).
William & Mary (14-29) begins its first season under new coach Mike McRae. The Tribe features a pair of preseason All-CAA picks in outfielder/pitcher Jack Cone (.301) and infielder Ben Williamson (.305). Leading the way for the W&M pitching staff will be junior starter Zach Tsakounis (3-2, 3.63 ERA).
Towson (21-36) earned a berth in the CAA Tournament for the first time since 2013 last season. The Tigers will look to build on that success with the return of infielders Danny Becerra (.258) and Nolan Young (.256). Starter Nick Janowicz (3-3, 53 K’s) is the top returnee for the Towson pitching staff.
Delaware (12-22) will try to send coach Jim Sherman out on top during his 22
nd and final season. Returning to the Blue Hens’ lineup are Joseph Carpenter (.260, outfielder Joey Loynd (.294) and designated hitter Jake Dunion (.397). Back on the mound are starters Chris Ludman (3-5, 4.62 ERA) and Joey Silan (1-0).
Hofstra (17-22) will be under the leadership of first-year coach Frank Catalanotto. The Pride offense is expected to be led by infielder Ryan Morash (.339) and outfielders Will Kennedy (.284, 15 RBI’s) and St. John’s transfer Brian Morrell. The pitching staff includes starter Mark Faello (2-1) and reliever John Mikolaicyk (4 saves).
2022 CAA BASEBALL PRESEASON PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Northeastern (6 first-place votes) 62
2. UNCW (3 first-place votes) 59
3. Charleston 48
4. Elon 43
5. James Madison 30
6. William & Mary 27
7. Towson 24
8. Delaware 18
9. Hofstra 13
2022 PRESEASON ALL-CAA BASEBALL TEAM
Player, School Pos. Cl. Hometown
Matt Suggs, UNCW C Jr. Wilmington, N.C.
Brooks Baldwin, UNCW IF Jr. Whiteville, N.C.
Danny Crossen, Northeastern IF Jr. Cotuit, Mass.
Trotter Harlan, Charleston IF Jr. Fountain Inn, S.C.
Cole Reynolds, Elon IF So. Clayton, Del.
Max Viera, Northeastern IF So. Greenwood Lake, N.Y.
Ben Williamson, William & Mary IF Jr. Chantilly, Va.
Justin Cassella, Elon OF So. Bernardsville, N.J.
Jeff Costello, Northeastern OF Sr. Lexington, Mass.
Chase DeLauter, James Madison OF So. Martinsburg, W.Va.
Alex Iadisernia, Elon OF So. Jackson, N.J.
Will Kennedy, Hofstra OF Jr. Smithtown, N.Y.
Jack Cone, William & Mary UT Sr. Fairfax Station, Va.
Tanner Steffy, Charleston DH Sr. Chapin, S.C.
Ty Good, Charleston SP Jr. Rock Hill, S.C.
Sebastian Keane, Northeastern SP So. North Andover, Mass.
Joe Savino, Elon SP So. Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
Cam Schlittler, Northeastern SP So. East Walpole, Mass.
Hunter Hodges, UNCW RP So. Wilmington, N.C.
Trevor Kirk, Elon RP So. Wake Forest, N.C.
CAA Preseason Co-Players of the Year: Brooks Baldwin, UNCW and Cam Schlittler, Northeastern
Honorable Mention: Jared Kirven, C, Charleston;
Joseph Carpenter, IF, Delaware;
Joseph Mershon, IF, Charleston;
Taber Mongero, IF, UNCW;
Carson Bell, OF, James Madison;
Dillon Lifrieri, OF, UNCW;
Jake Dunion, DH, Delaware;
Kyle Novak, DH, James Madison;
Nick Janowicz, SP, Towson;
Wyatt Scotti, SP, Northeastern;
Lliam Grubbs, RP, James Madison