Philadelphia, Pa. - (2/16/2017) – This season, 2017, marks the 10^th anniversary of the Chestnut Hill College baseball program. That first chapter has seen the Griffins grow by leaps and bounds as the once fledgling foundation has matured into a regionally ranked entity that has competed for a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) crown in six of the last seven seasons.
 
"I can't believe how fast the 10 years have gone by here at CHC (Chestnut Hill College," admitted Head Coach Robert Spratt, who to commemorate the anniversary, Head Coach Robert Spratt has requested the historical perspectives of alumnae, and current assistant coach, D.J. Santoro and Athletic Communication Coordinator Gregory Gornick to debate the Chestnut Hill College Baseball 10^th Anniversary Team. "At our annual alumni game in the fall, I thought it would be fun to start a public debate, since so many of the guys return and boast they are the best at each position. All kidding aside, we have been honored with some really great players in our short existence and the guys from 2008 have really paved a way for the 2017 team's success. The types of student athletes we attract to our program are a direct result of all that has passed before them. "
 
After reminiscing and carefully examining statistics from the last nine seasons, both Santoro and Gornick separately created their anniversary rosters, which feature eight position players, a designated hitter, two starting pitchers, and two relief pitchers. Santoro and Gornick also selected separate all-time teams based on the best single season at each position.
 
Before unveiling the Chestnut Hill College 10^th Anniversary Baseball Teams, Coach Spratt has decided to let GriffinNation get involved. Therefore, beginning Monday, February 20, and continuing through Friday, February 24, members of GriffinNation can vote for their own all-time favorites on Twitter. Each day, Chestnut Hill College Athletics (@CHCAthletics) will issue position polls (Monday: C, 1B, Tuesday: 2B, 3B, Wednesday: SS, OF, Thursday: DH, SP, and Friday: RP), fielding the opinion of the alumni, friends, and family alike. The results will be announced on Monday, February 27, just five days before the Griffins begin their 2017 campaign with an 11:00 a.m. neutral site (Ft. Pierce, FL) contest against Northwood University.
 
In the meantime, here is a look back at the last nine years of Chestnut Hill College baseball…

2008: In their inaugural season, Chestnut Hill College finished 7-34 overall and 5-22 in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). Through the trials and tribulations of that first season, the Griffins came away with a solid core of talented young players that finished 1st in the CACC in stolen bases (94-for-132, .712, 11^th nationally) and fourth in homeruns (13). As freshmen, Dan Etherton '11 (2^nd) and George Kochu '11 (HM) established themselves as the team leaders for the Griffins, both garnering recognition from the CACC at the conclusion of the 2008 season. Ryan Weber '11 earned the team's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award while freshman third baseman D.J. Santoro Jr. '11 was recognized with the Coach's Award.
 




2009: Under Spratt's tutelage, the Chestnut Hill College improved from their inaugural season to finish 2009 at 18-25 overall and 13-14 in conference play. Kochu (HM) shined as a multi-talented athlete and was honored with the Coach's Award; he and freshman right fielder Alex Latchum '12 (2^nd) finished among the CACC top-20 in batting and earned all-conference recognition. Junior pitcher Robby Williams '10 was named MVP.
 
2010: Chestnut Hill College concluded their third season with the program's first trip to the CACC Championship Tournament. A first-round loss at Felician College knocked the sixth seeded Griffins from postseason play, but much success was enjoyed throughout the year. Chestnut Hill College finished 16-22 overall and 11-9 in the CACC with three student-athletes garnering all-conference status; Etherton (1^st), Henry (2^nd), and sophomore second baseman Jesse Daywalt '12 (HM). The Griffins used defense and aggressive base running to achieve their best season. Chestnut Hill College ranked 4^th in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II for double-plays per game (1.11) and stolen bases per game (2.87). Seven Griffins finished among the top-500 in Division II for stolen bases and the team led the CACC with 109 stolen bases in 146 attempts (74.7%).
 

2011: The 2011 baseball season ended with a whirlwind of excitement. A late season push carried Chestnut Hill College to a 16-22 overall record and their second straight CACC Championship Tournament with a 10-10 league standing. The Griffins paid respect to their inaugural class prior to the team's final home doubleheader on Saturday, May 3; they returned the gesture with a brilliant sweep of Post University, who they would later face in the CACC postseason. Daywalt, who finished the year 21st nationally (NCAA DII) for Toughest Player to Strikeout (16.8 AB/K), was one of three Griffins to earn CACC All-Conference status; he earned First Team selection while Etherton and Latchum respectively garnered Second Team and Honorable Mention recognition.
 



2012: Chestnut Hill College set a new mark for wins in a single-season, posting a 19-23 overall record, but missed the CACC postseason with a 5-15 league record. MVP honors went to junior pitcher, and co-captain, Robert Hopkins '13, while the Coach's Award was given to Latchum. However, the team's success was largely due to outstanding performances of Daywalt and freshman infielder Taylor Steen '15. Daywalt was named to the Daktronics Inc. All-East Region and All-CACC First Teams.





2013: Materializing as a sum greater than its parts, Chestnut Hill College exceeded early-season expectations to enjoy its most fulfilling campaign to date. Led by CACC Rookie of the Year, freshman designated hitter Brendan Looby '16 (1^st) and All-CACC Second Team selection sophomore pitcher Dominic Raia III '15, the Griffins finished the 2013 season with the program's first 20-win effort; 20-27 overall and 10-10 in CACC play. A late-season fusion returned the Griffins to the CACC postseason, where united; they challenged #8 Wilmington University for the league crown. Graduate pitcher Micah Winterstein garnered MVP honors and an All-CACC Honorable Mention after an impressive season out of the bullpen, meanwhile his battery mate, senior catcher Timothy DiMonte '13, was recognized with the Coach's Award.


 


2014: After a 1-5 trip to Florida, Chestnut Hill College returned to a month of late-winter weather that postponed play until the beginning of April. Capitalizing on the rest, the Griffins went 9-5 in their first 14 CACC contests to post, a program best, 12-8 league record and earn the #3 seed in the CACC Championship Tournament. Hosting their first postseason contests, they exchanged early blows with #5 Dominican College before aggressive defense got the better of the Griffins in a 9-5 final. Looby and Raia (MVP) were recognized, respectively, on the All-CACC First and Second Teams. Senior second baseman Mark Woltemate '14 garnered the Coach's Award.
 



2015: A special class of seniors made the 2015 Chestnut Hill College baseball campaign unforgettable; a thrilling journey that stands as one of the best seasons in College history. Establishing program records for overall wins (29) and CACC wins (15), the Griffins employed a potent mixture of their trademark aggressive base-running, consistent pitching, and a balanced lineup to reach the conference championship for the second time in three years. Challenging top-seeded Wilmington University again, #3 Chestnut Hill College saw its season end with a 10-9 loss in a 12-inning slugfest for the ages. Raia (MVP) became the school's first CACC Pitcher of the Year with Looby joining him Raia on the All-CACC First Team. Senior right fielder Michael McLaughlin '15 (CA) and freshman second baseman Alec Craig (Hammonton, N.J.) were honored on the All-CACC Second Team.
 


2016: Despite graduating Raia, Chestnut Hill College combatted a highly-competitive schedule and routinely received votes in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) East Region poll with increased offense, a pair of quality starters, and a magnificent bullpen effort. The result was a 25-21 overall record, a 14-6 league standing, and a sixth CACC Championship Tournament appearance in seven seasons. Six Griffins garnered All-CACC Second Team status including the team's MVP; senior first baseman Patrick Campion '16, the program's new hit king; Looby, senior catcher Robert Slagle III '16, sophomore pitcher Patrick Kelley (Pipersville, Pa.), and freshman pitcher Dino Cattai (Philadelphia, Pa.). Sophomore designated hitter Matthew Owens (Cherry Hill, N.J.) was recognized with the Coach's Award.
 



A reminder, the fun begins, Monday, February 20, and continues through Friday, February 24 (Monday: C, 1B, Tuesday: 2B, 3B, Wednesday: SS, OF, Thursday: DH, SP, and Friday: RP). Be sure to look for the Chestnut Hill College Athletics (@CHCAthletics) Twitter Poll to vote for your Chestnut Hill College 10^th Anniversary Baseball Team.