Charleston Chosen As Overwhelming Favorite In 2023 CAA Baseball Race
Rob Washburn
RICHMOND, Va. (February 9, 2023) – Charleston, which welcomes back seven all-conference standouts from last year’s 37-20 squad, was the overwhelming favorite to capture the 2023 CAA baseball championship according to a vote of the league’s head baseball coaches.
The Cougars received nine of a possible 10 first-place votes and 99 total points to finish atop the preseason poll. Perennial power UNCW got one first-place vote and ranked second with 84 points. Defending CAA champion Hofstra was third with 72 points and Northeastern, which also got a first-place vote, was close behind in fourth with 71 points. Placing fifth was William & Mary, followed by Stony Brook, Elon, Delaware, Monmouth, Towson and North Carolina A&T.
Charleston junior pitcher William Privette was honored as the CAA Preseason Player of the Year. The Cougars’ junior closer went 3-1 with a league-high 12 saves and a nation’s-best 0.91 ERA in 2022. He was a consensus All-American, received CAA Pitcher of the Year accolades and was one of three finalists for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year award, which is presented to the top relief pitcher in the nation.
Charleston went 19-5 in CAA play last spring to claim its first regular-season title since 2015. The Cougars’ lineup features five players who earned all-conference honors last season with catcher JT Marr (.298), infielders Cam Dean (.298) and Joseph Mershon (.286) and outfielders Trotter Harlan (.305) and Tyler Sorrentino (.284). Pitchers Ty Good (10-5, 3.61 ERA), Trey Pooser (5-2, 3.92 ERA) and Daniel Brooks (2-2, 4.87 ERA) provide a strong starting staff in front of Privette.
UNCW reached the 30-win plateau for the 14
th consecutive season in 2022 with a 31-24 mark. Four starting position players are back for the Seahawks, led by All-CAA shortstop Taber Mongero (.301), infielder Jac Croom (.264) and outfielder Dillon Lifreri (.274). Starting pitching should be a strength with All-CAA standout RJ Sales (6-1, 3.52) and Zane Taylor (4-1, 4.03 ERA).
Hofstra is riding the momentum from its first CAA championship and inaugural trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2022. All nine starters return from the Pride’s 30-23 squad, including outfielders Brian Morrell (.346), Will Kennedy (.331), catcher Kevin Bruggeman (.293) and infielder Ryan Morash (.289). Anchoring Hofstra’s pitching staff are CAA Tournament MOP Brad Camarda (8-2, 3.87 ERA), starter Mark Faello (7-4) and closer Michael O’Hanlon (3-2, 6 saves).
Northeastern is coming off a 31-29-1 campaign that was capped by reaching the CAA championship game for the third time in four years. Back for the Huskies are outfielder Mike Sirota (.326) and infielders Luke Beckstein and Danny Crossen. NU’s pitching staff is led by starters Wyatt Scotti (8-3, 2.88 ERA) and Eric Yost (4-3, 2.48 ERA) and reliever Jordy Allard (4-3, 2.16 ERA).
William & Mary looks to build on last year’s 26-23 mark. Seniors Joe Delossantos (.313), Ben Williamson (.296) and Cole Ragone (.287) bring experience to the Tribe lineup. The pitching staff includes top starter Zach Tsakounis (5-3, 4.82 ERA) and CAA All-Rookie reliever Carter Lovasz (2-1, 5 saves, 2.94 ERA).
Stony Brook begins its first season of CAA play after going 27-25 overall and winning the America East regular-season title in 2022. The Seawolves return America East Player of the Year Evan Giordano (.319) and all-conference outfielder Matt Brown-Eiring (.297). Top starting pitcher Nick DeGennaro returns from an injury to team with Ben Fero (4-4, 4.54 ERA).
Elon was 27-28 overall last season and qualified for its conference tournament for the 22
nd straight year. The Phoenix welcome back Luke Stephenson (.251, 15 HR) and Charlie Granatell (.286) to the starting lineup, while the pitching staff includes All-CAA standout Shea Sprague (6-3, 1.89 ERA), Joe Savino (2-5) and reliever Ben Simon (3-1, 3.48 ERA).
Delaware, which was 25-26 a year ago, begins its first season under coach Greg Mamula. The Blue Hens return Bryce Greenly (.316), Jake Dunion (.313) and Joey Loynd (.298) offensively. Starter Joey Silan (3-5, 4.63) and reliever Dom Velazquez (4-2, 4.76) are back on the mound.
Monmouth (24-27) enters the CAA after making the MAAC tournament field in seven of its eight years as a league member. The Hawks are led offensively by first baseman James Harmstead, who batted .271 with a program-record 18 homers a year ago. Relief pitcher Steven Aldrich was 2-3 with a team-best four saves in 2022.
Towson (14-39), which won four of its final seven games last season, welcomes back outfielder Elijah Dickerson, who batted .262 with team-highs of 10 homers and 42 RBI’s. Returning on the mound is Brett Seils, who went 2-1 with a save last year.
North Carolina A&T (15-38), which makes its CAA debut, returns its top four hitters from last season. Infielder Anthony Hennings (.335) and catcher Canyon Brown (.276) lead that group.
2023 CAA BASEBALL PRESEASON PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Charleston (9 first-place votes) 99
2. UNCW (1 first-place vote) 84
3. Hofstra 72
4. Northeastern (1 first-place vote) 71
5. William & Mary 62
6. Stony Brook 57
7. Elon 54
8. Delaware 48
9. Monmouth 27
10. Towson 19
11. North Carolina A&T 12
2023 PRESEASON ALL-CAA BASEBALL TEAM
Player, School Pos. Cl. Hometown
Kevin Bruggeman, Hofstra C Sr. Trumbull, Conn.
JT Marr, Charleston C Sr. Fort Mill, S.C.
Evan Giordano, Stony Brook IF Gr. Sewell, N.J.
James Harmstead, Monmouth IF Sr. Manasquan, N.J.
Joey Loynd, Delaware IF Jr. Doylestown, Pa.
Taber Mongero, UNCW IF Sr. St. Simons Island, Ga.
Ryan Morash, Hofstra IF Gr. Califon, N.J.
Ben Williamson, William & Mary IF Sr. Chantilly, Va.
Matt Brown-Eiring, Stony Brook OF Jr. Oakdale, N.Y.
Joe Delossantos, William & Mary OF Sr. Creedmoor, N.C.
Trotter Harlan, Charleston OF Sr. Fountain Inn, S.C.
Mike Sirota, Northeastern OF So. Broad Channel, N.Y.
Tyler Sorrentino, Charleston OF So. West Essex, N.J.
Evan Fox, Stony Brook UT Jr. Ballston Spa, N.Y.
Luke Stephenson, Elon DH Sr. Algonac, Mich.
Brad Camarda, Hofstra SP Gr. Dix Hills, N.Y.
Ty Good, Charleston SP Sr. Rock Hill, S.C.
RJ Sales, UNCW SP So. Pinehurst, N.C.
Wyatt Scotti, Northeastern SP Jr. Barnstable, Mass.
Shea Sprague, Elon SP So. Hanover, Mass.
Carter Lovasz, William & Mary RP So. Midlothian, Va.
Michael O’Hanlon, Hofstra RP Jr. Glendale, N.Y.
William Privette, Charleston RP Jr. Chapin, S.C.
CAA Preseason Player of the Year: William Privette, Charleston
Honorable Mention: Dan Covino, IF, Delaware
; Cam Dean, IF, Charleston;
J.J. Freeman, IF, Delaware;
Anthony Hennings, IF, North Carolina A&T;
Joseph Mershon, IF, Charleston;
Elijah Dickerson, OF, Towson;
Will Kennedy, OF, Hofstra;
Bryce Greenly, DH, Delaware;
Nick DeGennaro, SP, Stony Brook;
Jordy Allard, RP, Northeastern