CONFERENCE NOTES:

NORTHEASTERN PICKED TO REPEAT AS CAA CHAMPIONS: Northeastern, which won a pair of 10-inning thrillers to capture its first CAA baseball title in 2021, has been picked to repeat as the conference champion this season. The Huskies received six first-place votes and 62 total points in a vote of the league’s head coaches to edge out perennial power UNCW, which got three first-place votes and 59 points. Charleston (48 points) and Elon (43) took the next two spots, followed by James Madison (30), William & Mary (27), Towson (24), Delaware (18) and Hofstra (13).

UNCW’S BALDWIN, NU’S SCHLITTLER TOP PRESEASON ALL-CAA TEAM: UNCW infielder/outfielder Brooks Baldwin and Northeastern pitcher Cam Schlittler were chosen as the CAA Preseason Players of the Year by the league’s head coaches. Baldwin batted .325 with 15 homers and 45 RBI’s in 2021, while Schlittler was 8-1 with a CAA-best 1.88 ERA and struck out 85 over 76.2 innings. Northeastern and Elon each placed five players on the preseason All-CAA team, while Charleston and UNCW each had three.

THREE CAA PLAYERS EARN PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA HONORS: Three CAA players have received preseason All-America recognition from a number of media outlets. JMU outfielder/pitcher Chase DeLauter (.386, 6 HR, 21 RBI’s) was named a first-team All-American by Baseball America and Perfect Game, a second-team All-American by D1 Baseball and a third-team pick by the NCBWA. Northeastern pitcher Cam Schlittler (8-1, 1.88 ERA) was chosen as a first-team All-American by Perfect Game and a second-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball and the NCBWA. DeLauter and Schlittler are also among 55 players on the preseason watch list for the Golden Spikes Award, which is given to the nation’s top amateur player. UNCW infielder Brooks Baldwin (.325, 15 HR, 45 RBI’s) made the NCBWA All-America third team.

DELAWARE’S SHERMAN TO RETIRE AT END OF SEASON: Delaware head coach Jim Sherman has announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2022 season. A former standout outfielder for the Blue Hens, Sherman has compiled a 581-506 record over 21 seasons as head coach, highlighted by conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances in 2001 and 2017. He was named CAA Coach of the Year in 2007.

CHARLESTON (0-0, 0-0 CAA): The Cougars open their season by hosting Wagner in a three-game series. Back to lead Charleston offensively are infielders Trotter Harlan (.291, 5 HR, 40 R) and Joseph Mershon (.314, 4 HR, 20 RBI’s), designated hitter Tanner Steffy (.333, 5 HR, 29 RBI’s) and catcher Jared Kirven (.299, 4 HR, 18 RBI’s). Returning on the mound are Ty Good (7-5, 3.71 ERA) and Connor Campbell (6-4, 4.07 ERA).

DELAWARE (0-0, 0-0 CAA): The Blue Hens head to Florida this weekend for the Stetson Tournament. In addition to facing the host Hatters, Delaware will play Manhattan and #4 Notre Dame. The Hens’ top returnees offensively are infielders Joey Loynd (.294, 18 RBI’s) and Joseph Carpenter (.260, 25 RBI’s) and outfielder Aidan Kane (.271). Chris Ludman (3-5, 4.62 ERA) is expected to anchor the starting pitching staff.

ELON (0-0, 0-0 CAA): The Phoenix entertain Fairfield for a three-game series starting Friday. Elon’s offense features outfielders Alex Iadisernia (.368, 10 HR, 30 RBI’s) and Justin Cassella (.276, 27 R) and infielder Cole Reynolds (.292, 5 HR, 25 RBI’s). The Phoenix pitching staff should also be solid as Joe Savino (0-3, 3.02 ERA) and Trevor Kirk (4-1, 3.28 ERA) are back along with Brian Edgington (4-3, 4.08 ERA).

HOFSTRA (0-0, 0-0 CAA): The Pride doesn’t open its season until February 25 when it travels to Houston Baptist for a three-game series. Hofstra begins its first season under new head coach Frank Catalanotto, who played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball and guided New York Tech to a Division II College World Series appearance in 2020. Outfielder Will Kennedy (.284, 2 HR, 15 RBI’s) is the Pride’s top returnee offensively.

JAMES MADISON (0-0, 0-0 CAA): The Dukes travel to 11th-ranked Florida State for a three-game series to start the season. Preseason All-America outfielder Chase DeLauter (.386, 6 HR, 21 RBI’s) headlines an offense that also includes returnees Carson Bell (.346, 17 RBI’s) and Kyle Novak (.315, 23 RBI’s). Closer Lliam Grubbs (1-0, 4 saves) is on the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List. Justin Showalter (1-2, 4.37 ERA) tops the starting staff.

UNCW (0-0, 0-0 CAA): The Seahawks welcome Middle Tennessee and St. John’s to Brooks Field for four games over three days. Preseason All-American Brooks Baldwin (.325, 15 HR, 45 RBI’s) tops a potent UNCW lineup that includes catcher Matt Suggs (.286, 11 HR, 38 RBI’s) and infielder Taber Mongero (.307, 29 RBI’s). Ethan Chenault (3-1, 4.03 ERA) returns to the starting rotation, while closer Hunter Hodges (2-3, 3 saves) leads the bullpen.

NORTHEASTERN (0-0, 0-0 CAA): The defending CAA champion Huskies start the year with four games in Cary, N.C., facing LIU, Monmouth and Penn State. Northeastern has very strong starting pitching with All-American Cam Schlittler (8-1, 1.88 ERA), Sebastian Keane (6-1, 4.09 ERA) and Wyatt Scotti (4-2, 2.82 ERA) back. The lineup includes infielders Max Viera (.348, 26 RBI’s) and Danny Crossen (.336, 31 RBI’s) and outfielder Jeff Costello (.329, 3 HR, 34 RBI’s).

TOWSON (0-0, 0-0 CAA): The Tigers begin the season with a four-game series at #25 Miami (Fla.), which is the alma mater of coach Matt Tyner. Towson, which is coming off its first CAA Tournament appearance since 2013, should be led offensively by infielders Danny Becerra (.258) and Nolan Young (.256). Back on the mound are starter Nick Janowicz (3-3, 5.94 ERA) and closer Jake Pecilunas (3 saves), who made the NCBWA Stopper of the Year watch list.

WILLIAM & MARY (0-0, 0-0 CAA): The Tribe hosts Rhode Island for a three-game series in the first contests under new head coach Mike McRae. William & Mary features a pair of All-CAA standouts in Ben Williamson (.315, 27 runs) and Jack Cone (.301) as well as outfielder Matt Thomas (.270). Returning to the mound for W&M are starters Zach Tsakounis (3-2, 3.63 ERA) and Justin Pearson (4-7).