FOREST, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Baseball Team has been picked to finish 11th in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference regular season, ODAC officials announced Thursday. The poll is voted on by the head coaches of the league's baseball programs.
Last season, E&H posted a 9-27 record for the second year in a row, going 5-15 in league games. Though the Wasps are picked to finish last in the conference this year, a strong core of returners mixed with increased depth on the mound could prove to be enough to send them back to the ODAC Tournament for the second time in four years.
Under 10th-year Head Coach Trey McCall, Emory & Henry returns just 14 players from last season's squad. The Wasps however have seven position players that saw extensive playing time in 2014 back this year and their top three pitchers in terms of innings pitched return for another season in blue and gold.
McCall and Assistant Coach Chip Schaffner stayed busy on the recruiting trail, bringing in a mixture of freshmen and transfers. In total, 24 players will be new to the program this spring, many of whom will be counted on to make an immediate impact.
Shenandoah University is picked to win the league for the first time after falling by one run in the conference title game a year ago. The Hornets, who earned nine first-place votes and 98 points, have finished at the top of the ODAC Regular Season standings after joining the league for the 2013 season.
Randolph-Macon College is tabbed second (85 pts.) while Bridgewater College (82 pts.) is third, taking the other two top nods. Hampden-Sydney College and Roanoke College are tied for fourth with 70 points.
Emory & Henry will begin the 2015 season with a three-game series at Covenant College. The season opener will be Friday, February 6 2:00 p.m., with the series wrapping up on Saturday with a seven-inning doubleheader at noon. The Wasps' first home game will be on Wednesday, February 25 as they host the Knights of Southern Virginia University at 2:00 p.m. E&H opens ODAC play on Saturday, February 28 at Hampden-Sydney College. First pitch for that twin-billing is at noon.
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2015 ODAC BASEBALL
PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
(#) Denotes First Place Votes
|
1. Shenandoah (9) |
98 pts. |
|
2. Randolph-Macon |
85 pts. |
|
3. Bridgewater (2) |
82 pts. |
|
4. Hampden-Sydney |
70 pts. |
|
4. Lynchburg |
70 pts. |
|
6. Roanoke |
54 pts. |
|
7. Washington and Lee |
43 pts. |
|
8. Virginia Wesleyan |
37 pts. |
|
9. Guilford |
31 pts. |
|
10. Eastern Mennonite |
22 pts. |
|
11. Emory & Henry |
13 pts. |