SNHU tops NE-10 Poll
- Updated: March 3, 2021
MANSFIELD, Mass. – The Southern New Hampshire University baseball team was a near-unanimous choice to finish atop the Northeast Division, according to the Northeast-10 Preseason Coaches’ Poll that was released Wednesday.
The Penmen, who were a unanimous choice in 2018 and 2020, as well as a near-unanimous selection in 2019, have now been picked at the top of the poll for five consecutive years. They earned 12 of 13 possible first-place votes and 90 total points to finish ahead of in-state rival Franklin Pierce University, which garnered the two remaining first-place votes and 79 total points. Bentley University narrowly placed third with 57 points, while Assumption University (56), Stonehill College (50), Saint Anselm College (34) and Saint Michael’s College (19) rounded out the remainder of the poll.
In the Southwest Division, Adelphi University received eight first-place votes and 86 points to top Le Moyne College (74 points, 3 first-place votes). Pace University (2 first-place votes) and Southern Connecticut State University (1 first-place vote) tied for third with 59 points, while the University of New Haven (56) plaed fifth. American International College (29) and the College of Saint Rose (22) finished off the poll.
Southern New Hampshire, led by 13th-year head coach Scott Loiseau, finished 12-4 a year ago in the pandemic-shortened season and returns nearly all of its starting lineup and pitching rotation. Graduate student Joshua Goldstein returns to a lineup that only lost two everyday players from a year ago. Last season, the second baseman slashed .306./.460/.490/.950 with a home run, nine RBIs and 12 runs scored. Redshirt-junior Dakota Mulcay (Goffstown) will hope to pick up where he left off the last campaign when he hit .389, was on base at a .460 clip and slugged .704, while bashing four home runs, driving in 18 runs and scoring 14 times. Redshirt-junior Sam Henrie (Middleboro, Mass.; .305/.338/.593, 2 home runs, 10 RBIs, 10 runs) and grad student Marcus Chavez (Queens, N.Y.; .296/.457/.389, 11 RBI, 12 runs) also return.
On the pitching side, redshirt-junior Jeffrey Praml anchors the staff after going 3-0 with 0.40 ERA in 22-and-a-third innings last season. Fellow redshirt-junior Alex Gomes (2-2, 1.93 ERA) and graduate student Wesley Tobin (Portsmouth, N.H.; 3-1, 5.68 ERA) are also back.
The Penmen, ranked 15th in the latest National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division II Poll, kick off the 2021 season with a four-game set against Stonehill College that begins March 27 with a noon doubleheader.
2021 Northeast-10 Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Northeast Division
1. Southern New Hampshire – 90 (12)
2. Franklin Pierce – 79 (2)
3. Bentley – 57
4. Assumption – 56
5. Stonehill – 50
6. Saint Anselm – 34
7. Saint Michael’s – 19
Southwest Division
1. Adelphi – 86 (8)
2. Le Moyne – 74 (3)
3. Pace – 59 (2)
3. Southern Connecticut – 59 (1)
5. New Haven – 56
6. American International – 29
7. Saint Rose – 22
(#) – indicates first-place votes
*******
Those who would like to help New Hampshire Hardball promote baseball in the Granite State can do so by purchasing a New Hampshire Hardball membership or by making a donation below. Sponsorship inquiries can be sent to nhhardball@gmail.com. Your support is greatly appreciated.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login