Posted by The season is drawing closer and it is time to set the stage for our 2010 preview, which is slated to begin in mid-January. We take an inside look at the Atlantic Sun in one of many of our conference snapshots.
Belmont
2009 record: 29-29
Top returning player: OF Dylan Craig
What needs to improve: The Bruins didn’t have an impressive ’09 campaign and hopes to take a step forward this spring. Accomplishing that goal could be difficult. The Bruins welcome back their leading hitter, but also must replace several key bats from a lineup that ended last season with a .295 batting average. The Bruins have the most work to do on the mound and in the field. They return just two pitchers that finished last season with ERAs below five. Also, they fielded .960. Belmont could be in trouble if the pitching staff doesn’t rise to the occasion.
Campbell
2009 record: 27-24
Top returning player: OF Zach Johnson
What needs to improve: The Camels finished near the bottom of conference last season, but have the ability to take a step forward this spring. They welcome back two of their top three hitters in addition to other seasoned players from a lineup that ended last season with an amazing .346 batting average. The pitching staff, though, has much work to do. The Camels ended the ’09 campaign with a 6.95 ERA and returns just four arms that ended the season with ERAs below six. Campbell welcomes back a pair of starting pitchers, but the duo must get better. The same goes for the rest of the staff.
East Tennessee State
2009 record: 25-28
Top returning player: UTI Paul Hoilman
What needs to improve: The Buccaneers know what needs to change to take a step forward in the spring. They finished last season near the bottom of the A-Sun for a reason. The offense returns several key cogs from a lineup that ended the ’09 season with a solid .313 batting average. The pitching staff, though, has much work to do. The Bucs ended last season with a horrendous 8.27 ERA and return just one pitcher that ended the campaign with an ERA below seven. ETSU also has work to do in the field after ending ’09 with a .948 fielding percentage.
Florida Gulf Coast
2009 record: 36-18
Top returning player: P Chris Sale
What needs to improve: The Eagles are postseason eligible this spring and likely would’ve made a regional last season had they been eligible. This should once again be a fun team to watch. The Eagles finished last season with a .320 batting average and returns enough key cogs at the plate to make a statement. The pitching staff is anchored by one of the nation’s best in Sale, but must establish more quality bullpen depth to do something big on the national stage. FGCU’s defense also must improve after ending the ’09 campaign with a .962 fielding percentage.
Jacksonville
2009 record: 37-22
Top returning player: P Matt Loosen
What needs to improve: The Dolphins put together a solid ’09 campaign that ended with a trip to the Gainesville Regional. Now they hope to find a way to take another step forward in the spring. The Dolphins finished last season with a .301 batting average and shouldn’t have much trouble finishing the upcoming campaign with a similar number. The pitching staff is in OK shape, but could use some help. The starting rotation is in good shape, but more bullpen depth is needed. The Dolphins must improve the most in the field after ending last season with a dismal .952 fielding percentage.
Kennesaw State
2009 record: 30-22
Top returning player: P Ryan Rodebaugh
What needs to improve: The Owls could be in for a rebuilding campaign if several players don’t rise to the occasion this spring. They entered last season with high expectations because they had a plethora of talented position players and pitchers. However, most of those guys, including three starting pitchers, now are gone. The Owls have much work to do. They are without their top three hitters from a lineup that ended last season with a .307 batting average. They also are without their top four pitchers from a staff that ended ’09 with a 5.08 ERA. There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Owls for obvious reasons. It’ll be interesting to see how this team pans out.
Lipscomb
2009 record: 24-32
Top returning player: P Josh Smith
What needs to improve: The Bisons made a statement two seasons ago with an NCAA regional appearance, but took a step back last season with a poor record. Now they hope to regain respect with pitcher Josh Smith leading the charge. The Bisons first must improve at the plate after finishing last season with a .280 batting average. Lipscomb welcomes back just two hitters that ended the campaign with batting averages better than .300. The pitching staff also has much work to do. The unit ended last season with a 6.19 ERA and must establish more quality depth. The Bisons’ bullpen was atrocious last season. Defense also could improve after finishing ’09 with a .949 fielding percentage.
Mercer
2009 record: 23-23
Top returning player: 3B Jacob Tanis
What needs to improve: The Bears have much work to do to take a step forward in the spring. The offense, though, could be a bright spot. The Bears finished last season with a .302 batting average and welcomes back several key hitters. Mercer must rise to the occasion on the mound. It ended the ’09 campaign with a 6.39 ERA and lacked a strong bullpen outside of reliever J.T. Odom. The weekend rotation also left something to be desired. The Bears could have a solid team if the pitching staff rises to the occasion. If not, it will be much of the same.
North Florida
2009 record: 23-31
Top returning player: OF Preston Hale
What needs to improve: The Ospreys hope to send coach Dusty Rhodes out on a high note before former LSU coach Smoke Laval takes over following the spring. UNF has much to improve, though. They finished last season with a .295 batting average and welcome back several key hitters. The offense should be much better. The pitching staff is a different story. The Ospreys have several key arms to replace from a pitching staff that finished last season with a 5.78 ERA. They also must improve in the field after tallying a dismal .948 fielding percentage last season.
South Carolina-Upstate
2009 record: 17-37
Top returning player: C Jimmy Tanner
What needs to improve: The Spartans didn’t exactly have an impressive ’09 campaign, finishing last in the A-Sun with a dismal 7-23 conference record. However, they hope for much more success in the upcoming campaign. The Spartans know what needs to change. They finished last season with a .283 batting average and tallied just 18 homers. On the mound, the pitching staff ended the campaign with a horrible 7.80 ERA. The silver lining is the Spartans do welcome back ace pitcher Matt Branham. Upstate could be infinitely better if the pitching staff shows any improvement.
Stetson
2009 record: 27-30
Top returning player: 2B Mark Jones
What needs to improve: The Hatters didn’t finish last season with a particularly impressive record, but hope to rebound in a big way this spring. The offense once again should be productive with the return of a few key hitters. The pitching staff, though, returns a pair of outstanding relievers, but must find a way to replace a pair of starting pitchers, including last year’s ace Andy Mauldin. The Hatters also must improve in the field after ending the ’09 campaign with a poor .951 fielding percentage. It’ll be interesting to see where Pete Dunn’s club is in a few months.