Temple University Athletics
Diamond Owls Tabbed To Finish Eighth In Preseason Poll
1.15.10 | Baseball
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Temple baseball team has been picked to finish eighth in the Atlantic 10 in voting conducted by the league's head coaches, announced today by the league office. The Owls narrowly missed the playoffs last season, posting an 11-15 conference record.
“The overall competitive strength and balance of the Atlantic 10 continues to improve each year,” Temple fifth-year head coach Rob Valli assessed. “I like our chances of finishing higher than some may predict, so I guess we will just play the games and see how it turns out.”
After winning a program-record 38 games and capturing its first-ever regular season crown a year ago, Dayton has been selected to win the 2010 Atlantic 10 baseball title in voting conducted by the league's head coaches.
Four-time champion Charlotte has been picked second, while defending league champ Xavier is third, followed by Richmond, Saint Louis, and Massachusetts.
Temple has been predicted eighth, followed by Fordham, George Washington, Saint Joseph's, St. Bonaventure, La Salle and Duquesne.
The Owls return 11 pitchers to their 2010 staff, including All-Philadelphia Big 5 selection Ryan Thomas and redshirt-senior Matt Mongiardini.
Thomas, who took on a starting role last season, posted a record of 4-3 in 10 starts, striking out 34 batters with a 5.03 ERA. Mongiardini, an All-Big 5 pick in 2008, returns to the top of the rotation after suffering a season ending injury last year.
In the field, the Owls welcome back two full-time position players in Byron McKoy and Tony Jusino.
Jusino hit a career best .363 in 2009, hitting 19 doubles and three homeruns, while McKoy hit .278 driving in 28 runs on 10 doubles and eight homeruns.
The Cherry and White open its 83rd season of varsity competition on February 19 when they travel to face Florida Gulf Coast, preseason ranked 38th. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m.
The six-team, double-elimination A-10 Championship will be held May 26-29 at Campbell's Field in Camden, N.J.
2010 Predicted Order of Finish
(2009 overall/A-10 record in parentheses)
1. Dayton (38-19/21-6)
2. Charlotte (33-22/16-11)
3. Xavier (39-21/18-9)
4. Rhode Island (37-20-1/19-6)
5. Richmond (22-25/11-16)
6. Saint Louis (30-25/12-13)
7. Massachusetts (27-26/16-11)
8. Temple (17-33/11-15)
9. Fordham (22-32/16-11)
10. George Washington (22-33/11-15)
11. Saint Joseph's (16-30-1/9-17)
12. St. Bonaventure (24-25/9-17)
13. La Salle (19-30/8-18)
14. Duquesne (14-41/7-19)
“The overall competitive strength and balance of the Atlantic 10 continues to improve each year,” Temple fifth-year head coach Rob Valli assessed. “I like our chances of finishing higher than some may predict, so I guess we will just play the games and see how it turns out.”
After winning a program-record 38 games and capturing its first-ever regular season crown a year ago, Dayton has been selected to win the 2010 Atlantic 10 baseball title in voting conducted by the league's head coaches.
Four-time champion Charlotte has been picked second, while defending league champ Xavier is third, followed by Richmond, Saint Louis, and Massachusetts.
Temple has been predicted eighth, followed by Fordham, George Washington, Saint Joseph's, St. Bonaventure, La Salle and Duquesne.
The Owls return 11 pitchers to their 2010 staff, including All-Philadelphia Big 5 selection Ryan Thomas and redshirt-senior Matt Mongiardini.
Thomas, who took on a starting role last season, posted a record of 4-3 in 10 starts, striking out 34 batters with a 5.03 ERA. Mongiardini, an All-Big 5 pick in 2008, returns to the top of the rotation after suffering a season ending injury last year.
In the field, the Owls welcome back two full-time position players in Byron McKoy and Tony Jusino.
Jusino hit a career best .363 in 2009, hitting 19 doubles and three homeruns, while McKoy hit .278 driving in 28 runs on 10 doubles and eight homeruns.
The Cherry and White open its 83rd season of varsity competition on February 19 when they travel to face Florida Gulf Coast, preseason ranked 38th. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m.
The six-team, double-elimination A-10 Championship will be held May 26-29 at Campbell's Field in Camden, N.J.
2010 Predicted Order of Finish
(2009 overall/A-10 record in parentheses)
1. Dayton (38-19/21-6)
2. Charlotte (33-22/16-11)
3. Xavier (39-21/18-9)
4. Rhode Island (37-20-1/19-6)
5. Richmond (22-25/11-16)
6. Saint Louis (30-25/12-13)
7. Massachusetts (27-26/16-11)
8. Temple (17-33/11-15)
9. Fordham (22-32/16-11)
10. George Washington (22-33/11-15)
11. Saint Joseph's (16-30-1/9-17)
12. St. Bonaventure (24-25/9-17)
13. La Salle (19-30/8-18)
14. Duquesne (14-41/7-19)
Tuesday, June 02
Saturday, May 30
Tuesday, May 19
Tuesday, May 05
