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Blue Hen baseball team picked third in CAA poll
8:40 a.m., Jan. 19, 2007--The University of Delaware baseball team has been picked to finish third in the Colonial Athletic Association in 2007, according to a preseason poll of the conference's head coaches. Virginia Commonwealth University, which posted a 34-24 record last season, was named the conference favorite with four first place votes and 88 total points. The defending champion University of North Carolina Wilmington was picked second with three first place votes and 86 points and UD was selected third with three first place votes and 83 points. Old Dominion University finished fourth in the poll and received one first place vote, and was followed by James Madison University, Georgia State University, George Mason University, Northeastern University, the College of William & Mary, Hofstra University and Towson University. The Fightin' Blue Hens return 10 position players who started at least 24 games from the 2006 team that went 30-24 and led the nation in home runs per game, doubles per game and slugging percentage. The offense will be led by junior centerfielder Brandon Menchaca (.395, 16 HR, 64 RBI) and sophomore second baseman Alex Buchholz (.378 18 HR, 64 RBI), both named to the preseason All-America team selected by Louisville Slugger and Collegiate Baseball. UD also welcomes back two starting pitchers who missed all of 2006 with injuries, lefthanders Brent Gaphardt and Mitch Heckert. The Hens will open the 2007 season with a series at the University of Richmond from Feb. 23-25. UD will open conference play with a home series against Towson from March 9-11 at Bob Hannah Stadium. |
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