FINAL 2009 RANKINGS DIVISION II TOP 30 PRESEASON RANKINGS There is no absence of quality teams this year making the positioning of the clubs, very, very, very, very, very difficult. Very difficult. Many people ask how teams are ranked and what the criteria is. We use an advanced algebra formula in establishing our rankings. It's rather lengthy, but effective. The formula is: [(nerdy statistical data + archived historical results) / campus mojo X tradition X (astrology forcast/4) + pep levels] + ((talent + tarot card reading)/coaching)^2 = 2010 perspective ranking Throughout the season updated rankings will be released first on Twitter. Follow us as http://twitter.com/pingbaseball to get the latest scoop first.

DII College Baseball Rankings - Updated January 14, 2010

Teams: 1-10 • 11-20 • 21-30

Rank	Team
11	FRANKLIN PIERCE RAVENS (37-18, Final 2009 Ranking: 20) The Ravens won their third consecutive Northeast-10 Championship last season; their fourth conference title in five years. You may as well write them in now for a fourth in 2010. While pitching has been an FPU trademark historically, the offense is potnetially nearly as dominant this season. Mike Dowd (.380, 7, 43) and Derek Ingui (.356, 9, 47) will again lead the offense which will be bolstered by Boston College transfer Mike Augustine and Dan Kemp, a 24th round draft choice of the Boston Red Sox who couldn’t come to turns with the professional club. Two pitchers who will be looking to rebound from injury could lead the Ravens to the CWS if they regain their pervious form. In 2008 Mike Adams (1.36, 11-1) and Brian Maloney (2.87, 8-2) were as a dominating that could be found. Each started 2009 strong, but were limited to 11 appearances total. Add Brian Maloney (3.09, 1-0, 19 K in 11.2 IP) to the mix and opposing teams may as well come to the plate with a bromstick in their hands.
12	DELTA STATE STATESMEN (38-16, Final 2009 Ranking: 16) Hampered by a poor start of the season, the Statesmen were left on the outside looking in and didn't receive an at large bid to participate the NCAAs – an outcome the team will be looking to remedy in 2010. Micahel Niemann (.353, 4, 34, 24 SB) who lead the team in average, hits and stolen bases will be back, as will Kellen Bozeman (.350, 11, 57) and Cade Hoggard (.327, 13, 55) who were second and third on the club in RBI. Expereinced pitching is a problem, but Jason Coats (2.05, 2-0) and Brandon Hall (3.50, 1-1) had success in the bullpen and Trey Griffin (3.61, 7-0) excelled in a duel role. If Coach Mike Kinnison can muster some quality starting pitching, the Statesmen will be a team no one wants to face.
13	ASHLAND UNIVERSITY EAGLES (42-15-1, Final 2009 Ranking: 21) Despite winning the GLIAC regular season title, the Eagles’ top team status was usurped by rival Grand Valley State as the Lakers advanced to the CWS and left Ashland back at home. The two should battle it out once again as both teams are experienced headed into 2010. The Eagles will be without their leading hitter from last season, but aside from him most of the convocation (that’s the collective noun for eagles!) will be back. Ben Minard (.368, 8, 57 and 3.89, 10-1) is one of the best dual threat players in the country. He, Jacob Petkac (.379, 5, 53) and Ajay Meyer (3.52, 10-2) were all named Preseason All Americans by the NCBWA. Ashland also returns four regular starters who hit over .300 (Ryan Avery, .358; Matt McAllester, .342; Josh Kirsten, .321; Jason Cress, .304) and a top shelf reliever in Jeremy Sloan (1.57, 3-0, .192 B/Avg).
14	ABILENE CHRISTIAN WILDCATS (44-19, Final 2009 Ranking: 24) ACU returns six everyday starters and four prominent pitchers to campus which should keep them in the running for a South Central Region Tournament title and chance to head to the CWS. The Wildcats feature a solid defensive squad which can also wreck havoc at the plate. Willie Uechi (.415, 0, 42) and Chris Hall (.360, 3, 26) play solid ball up the middle and Brett Bochsler (.271, 8, 33) will provide soft leather at first base to make sure the pairs’ dynamic grabs don’t go to waste. Travis Latz (.342, 11, 47, 15 SB) gives the Wildcats a deep ball threat in the middle of the lineup. The pitching staff is led by closer Brad Rutherford (2.63, 10-3, 11 SVs) who recorded a win or a save in almost half of the Wildcats’ 44 wins. Cameron Aspaas (7-2, 4.71 ERA) and Cameron Watten (2-0, 1.15 ERA) also are back on the diamond to tame opposing batters in Abilene.
15	WEST CHESTER GOLDEN RAMS (46-12, Final 2009 Ranking: 6) WCU will once again field a brawny team of batsman in anticipation of returning to the CWS. Last season the Golden Rams batted more than .100 higher than opposition (.351 to .242), hit twice as many homeruns (66 to 31) and had more than three times as many stolen bases (103 to 30). With three Preseason All Americans in Nick Spisak (.389, 6, 38, 18 SB), Bob Stumpo (.359, 4, 40) and Kyle Orensky (.337, 11, 60) West Chester may approach similar numbers offensively, even with the loss of PSAC player of the year Matt Cotellese, however pitching could be a concern. The Rams are left with an inexperienced starting staff due to graduation; however senior reliever Eric Carmichael (3-1, 3.26) has been outstanding the last two seasons in relief.
16	ANGELO STATE RAMS (45-20, Final 2009 Ranking: 25) The Rams’ offense will be detrimental to opposing pitchers’ ERA in 2010 as Angelo State has a glut of hitting dandies returning to the diamond. Keith Towne (.351, 26, 86), Jason Morriss (.317, 8, 52), Isaac Garcia (.386, 7, 38) and Chris Adamson (.409, 9, 56) all received preseason NCBWA honors, as did pitchers Jeffery Asby (3.14, 4-2) and Craig Blair (3.38, 8-2). Months later it’s still hard to fathom that ASU lost their South Central Regional opener to Emporia State 23-0. If all plays out as anticipated, the Rams could be locking up with ESU once again deep in the postseason.
17	BARRY BUCCANEERS (44-11, Final 2009 Ranking: 12) Despite setting the school record for wins, the Bucs had a deeply unsatisfying close to their season, going 0-2 in the South Regional. One of the major reasons the Bucs were so successful last season was thanks to a pair of disgruntled former Tennessee Volunteers who transferred prior to the season. Both players are gone in 2010, as is Yudelmis Hernandez who led the club with 22 homeruns. However the offensive situation isn’t dire by any means as Yas Gutierrez (.377, 15, 56), who earned All-SSC First-Team honors after slugging .696 with a .478 on base percentage, and Nick Shaw (.354, 4, 40) who earned honorable mention All-American honors are back on campus.The Bucs also have an excellent staff of pitchers, led by a trio of returning starters Corey Witkowski (2.52, 6-0), Charley Short (3.66, 11-3) and Brad McAlliser (3.98, 9-1). Barry also has some effective bullpen help in Scott Sexton (2.29, 3-1) and T.J. Mullins (2.73, 4-1) to keep the rebuilt offense in the game during the late innnings.
18	LYNN FIGHTING KNIGHTS (46-16, Final 2009 Ranking: 1) The Fighting Knights caught fire at the end of the season, going undefeated through NCAA regional and national play, to win its first baseball national championship. Adding a second trophy to the Lynn mantle will not be easy. In addition to having a target on their back as the reigning champs, the Lynn offense, which batted .325 as a team and outstole opposition 120-41 in bases, is substantially depleted. Last year’s Lynn leader in homeruns and RBI Chris Chavez (.345, 12, 65) does return, however several seniors are no longer on campus. Fortunately much of the pitching staff will be back in Boca Raton, with Dan Wright (2.29, 15-2) a first team All American, leading the way. The versatile Tommy Kahnle (7-4, 4.54), who was the Most Outstanding Player of the DII CWS, will also be back in blue.
19	WAYNE STATE COLLEGE WILDCATS (45-15, Final 2009 Ranking: NR) The Wildcats made a one week cameo in the rankings last season, but couldn’t stick around to close of the season; this year however the Wildcats should be around for the long haul. Six batters who hit over .300 return to Wayne, led by Joe Wendte (.396, 14, 67, 19 SB, 83 R), one of the most dynamic players in the county. Wendte’s final slugging percentage was .741 and his 51 walks provided him with a .527 on base percentage. A great lineup isn’t the only thing returning to the land of "Chicken Days". Four pitchers who started at least five games are back, three of which had reliever reliving ability and tossed a combined seven complete games.
20	DOWLING GOLDEN LIONS (35-18, Final 2009 Ranking: 8) Dowling returns seven position starters and four pitchers who tossed more than 45 innings last season in their effort to return to Cary. Receiving a cavalcade of accolades for the Lions is Gabriel Duran, a richly deserved preseason First Team All-American. Last season he went 10-2 record (including a no-hitter with 14 strikeouts against Felician) with a 1.30 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 89.1 innings. Rejoining him on the staff that led the nation in ERA are Marc Rutledge (2.08, 5-4) and Nicholas Albero (1.46, 6-1). Frank Intagliata (.314, 0, 19) and Colin Barnathan (.314, 1, 28), both all-conference first teamers in ’09, are back to lead the offense.

Teams: 1-10 • 11-20 • 21-30