2012 Men’s Basketball
Championship
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Andrew Thole was named Presidents’ Athletic Conference Player of the Year, first team All-PAC, first team ABCA All-Mideast Region and first team All-American by D3baseball.com after one of the best seasons of any player in collegiate baseball in 2011. The slugging first baseman led Division III with a school record 17 home runs in only 37 games, while batting .385 and adding 52 RBI. Thole leads the charge of six returning starters from a team that went 29-9 last season and won the PAC Tournament title. The Saints are ranked No. 13 in the preseason Collegiate Baseball poll. |
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Nick Boggan
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Mike Nodzenski
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Brandon Rogalski
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Michael Tucker
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Jordan Walton
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Andrew Thole| Keep an Eye on These Pitchers |
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One of the biggest reasons Marietta was able to claim its first national championship since 2006 a year ago? The ace of the Etta Express’ pitching staff, Brian Gasser. He’s the reigning Division III Pitcher of the Year and Co-Player of the Year after earning first team All-America honors last season. He led the nation with 14 wins and posted a 1.06 earned run average and struck out 89 hitters in 93.1 innings of work. The senior was also named the Mideast Region and Ohio Athletic Conference Kent Tekulve Pitcher of the Year. |
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Brendan Close
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Ben Hughes
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Mike Lawlor
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Brian Rauh
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Mike Russo
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Brian Gasser
| Follow Along with These Programs |
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Noting the Panthers: Chapman came close to securing its first national championship since 2003 last season, if not for scorching-hot Marietta. The 2012 season could be the year, considering seven everyday players return and six of seven pitchers return that threw at least 23 innings last season. Leading the charge is Brian Rauh, who is 22-0 in his first two seasons on the mound. The Panthers will also look to junior righthander Kevin Osaki after posting a 0.68 ERA in 2011. At the plate, Chapman will look to improve upon a .292 batting average as a team — a 16-year low.
Noting the Cougars: Kean had a disappointing finish to the 2011 season. Another trip to Appleton was followed by two consecutive losses ending its bid for another championship. Neil Ioviero’s team will look to get back there once again as the pitching rotation returns five starters that combined for 29 wins last season while adding relievers that accounted for six wins and seven saves. The Cougars also have speed that returns as senior Vinny Galya will lead the way after swiping 33 stolen bases last season.
Noting the Pioneers: Marietta rode the arm of staff ace Brian Gasser all the way to a record fifth national championship in 2011. Named Pitcher of the Year after going 14-1 with a 1.06 ERA in 2011, Gasser leads the charge of 14 returning players for the Pioneers. Marietta also returns senior All-Americans Tim Saunders and Austin Blaski. Saunders, the Pioneers’ shortstop, was the Most Outstanding Player of the OAC Tournament. A right-handed pitcher, Blaski was named the Most Outstanding Player at the NCAA National Championship. Other Teams to Watch: Amherst, Buena Vista, Christopher Newport, Cortland State, Linfield, Wisconsin-Whitewater. |
| Top Contests to Watch in 2012 | |
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No. 1 Marietta — March 9-10, 17: at Piedmont March 16: vs. Rowan April 14: vs. No. 10 Heidelberg (DH) |
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No. 2 Chapman — March 2-4: at No. 22 Trinity (Texas) March 20: vs. No. 3 Kean April 13-15: vs. No. 4 Linfield |
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No. 3 Kean — March 16: at No. 20 Redlands March 20: at No. 2 Chapman March 25: at No. 16 Keystone |
All photos courtesy of respective school athletic departments.
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