New Haven, Conn. - (3/2/2021) – Chestnut Hill College was forecasted for a second-place finish in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) South Division as league commissioner Dan Mara officially announced the results of the
2021 CACC Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll. The Scarlet and Gold received three first-place votes and a total of 49 points from the league's head coaches, who also predicted Felician University (49 Total Points, 9 First-Place Votes) and Wilmington University (58, 8) to respectively lead the CACC North and CACC South Divisions.
Felician University was most closely followed in the CACC North Division portion of the poll by Dominican College (36, 1) and Post University (33, 1). The Chargers and Eagles both received a first-place vote, to rank ahead of fellow division members Bloomfield College (25) and Caldwell University (14). The 2019 CACC Coach of the Year, Chris Lanigan and the Golden Falcons returns three 2019 All-CACC First Team performers; senior Alex Schwartz (Voorhees, N.J.) and juniors, Michael Gutierrez (Garfield, N.J.) and Nick Nardulli (Felician University) to a roster that finished the COVID-shortened 2020 season at 2-11.
Wilmington University and Chestnut Hill College were trailed in the CACC South Division by Thomas Jefferson University (39), Goldey-Beacom College (37), the University of the Sciences (26), and Nyack College (16). As the 2019 CACC Baseball Champions, the Wildcats finished their halted 2020 season at 4-9; they will feature 2019 All-CACC First Team utility/pitcher, senior Dan Hyatt (Newark, Del.) and 2019 All-CACC Second Team outfielder, junior Quintin Ivy (Camden, Del.).
Chestnut Hill College's 2020 season consisted of the Griffins' nine-game trip to southern Florida. The Scarlet and Gold earned a 4-5 record, capturing a pair of wins over Bentley University (W, 10-4 on February 29|W, 7-6 on March 1), before scoring additional victories at Barry University (W, 9-0 on March 2), and Florida Memorial University (W, 3-1 on March 7).
Senior shortstop
Ameir Uzzell (Levittown, Pa.) (.457 Batting Average)/.548 On-Base Percentage/.486 Slugging Percentage), 12 Runs, 8-for-8 (1.000) Stolen Bases) and junior centerfielder
John Contoudis (Jenkintown, Pa.) (.406/.436/.625, 10 R, 12 Run-Batted-In, 7-for-7 SB) anchored the offense, while a solid bullpen and strong starts from juniors
Andrew Dietz (Warrington, Pa.) (4.0 IP, 5 BB, 2 K vs. Bentley University on March 1; W, 7-6),
Will Shaffer (Sicklerville, N.J.) (W, 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 10 K @ Barry University on March 2; W, 9-0), and
Pat Woltemate (Philadelphia, Pa.) (7.0 IP, 1 Earned Run, 3 H, 1 BB, 8 K @ Barry University on March 3; L, 4-5 (14 Innings)| W, 3.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 3K @ Florida Memorial University on March 7; W, 3-1) put the Griffins in position for success.
The complete results of the
2021 CACC Baseball Coaches Poll are located below and also available with use of the provided links.
2021 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll
NORTH DIVISION
| Rank. School |
2020 |
Points |
| 1. Felician University |
2-11 |
49 (9) |
| 2. Dominican College |
3-10 |
36 (1) |
| 3. Post University |
8-5 |
33 (1) |
| 4. Bloomfield College |
1-7-2 |
25 |
| 5. Caldwell University |
0-7 |
14 |
SOUTH DIVISION
| Rank. School |
2020 |
Points |
| 1. Wilmington University |
4-9 |
58 (8) |
| 2. Chestnut Hill College |
4-5 |
49 (3) |
| 3. Thomas Jefferson University |
3-7 |
39 |
| 4. Goldey-Beacom College |
7-11 |
37 |
| 5. University of the Sciences |
2-13 |
26 |
| 6. Nyack College |
0-6 |
16 |
() - First-Place Votes
