Penmen edge Ravens in poll
- Updated: February 1, 2022
MANSFIELD, Mass. — The Southern New Hampshire University baseball team was a near-unanimous choice to finish atop the Northeast Division in the Northeast-10 Preseason Coaches’ Poll that was released Monday.
The Penmen have been picked at the top of the poll for six-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 80 total points. Bentley University narrowly placed third with 60 points, while Assumption University (56), Stonehill College (46), Saint Anselm College (34) and Saint Michael’s College (19) rounded out the remainder of the poll.
In the Southwest Division, Adelphi University received nine first-place votes and 85 points to top Le Moyne College (83 points, 5 first-place votes). The University of New Haven (64) placed third. Pace University (51) narrowly edged Southern Connecticut State University (49) sitting at fourth and fifth, respectively. American International College (27) and the College of Saint Rose (26) finished off the poll.
SNHU is coming off a historic season, which saw the squad capture the NE10 regular season, NE10 tournament and NCAA East Regional Championships. The Penmen made their third trip to the College World Series in program history; all under the direction of 14th-year head coach Scott Loiseau. In this year’s national preseason poll, released earlier this month, SNHU ranked seventh and was first in the east regional poll. The Penmen wrapped up the 2021 season with an impressive 28-9 record.
Anchored by catcher/designated hitter Dakota Mulcay (Goffstown, N.H.), an NCBWA All-East Region selection in 2021, returns for his senior season. He hit. 338 (45-133) with 14 homers, 49 RBI and 41 runs scored. Mulcay, who made the First Team in the designated hitter slot, produced an on-base percentage of .442 and slugged .737 in 37 games. His 28 career home runs are a Penmen record. In addition to Mulcay, the Penmen return seven positional starters and several pitchers that appeared in 2021. SNHU will need its younger hurlers to replace four veterans who started all but two games last season: Jeffrey Praml (Bridgewater, N.J.; 7-3, 3.82 ERA) Alex Gomes (Peabody, Mass.; 6-1, 2.58 ERA) Wesley Tobin (Portsmouth, N.H.; 4-1, 2.43 ERA) and Nick Artymowicz (Seaville, N.Y.; 8-2, 2.30 ERA).
The Penmen kick off the 2022 season Feb. 24 (5:30 p.m.) against Felician University in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
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