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SVSU
BASEBALL Preseason Polls Like Cardinals Baseball America has chosen the Saginaw Valley State University baseball team to an elite status in its Feb. 5 issue. The defending GLIAC champions, who made their first-ever NCAA playoff appearance last spring, the Cardinals No. 10 on the national list of "How They'll Finish" in NCAA Division II this season. SVSU also is ranked No. 26 in the NCAA II preseason coaches poll. But with the bulk of his squad returning, coach Walt Head believes back-to-back league championships and another NCAA playoff run are realistic possibilities. "I think we're somewhere in between," said Head, referring to the two rankings. "If we stay healthy I think we can be pretty good. Our pitching should be very good. We have some good freshman arms that will help us." In addition, Baseball America named two Cardinals to its "Players to Watch" list. Senior second baseman Jason Valenzuela (Ontario, CA) was the only player selected to the list at his position, while teammate Tim Goheen (Proton Station, Ontario) was one of five pitchers chosen. Valenzuela was named GLIAC and NCAA II North Central Region "Player of the Year" as a junior and earned third-team All-America honors while setting SVSU single-season records for batting average (.448) and hits (86). Goheen, a left-handed starter, was named the "Pitcher of the Year" in the GLIAC and North Central Region while garnering second-team All-America honors. He posted an 11-1 record last season with a 2.48 ERA, winning 13 straight games dating back to last season. Goheen set SVSU single-season records for victories (11), innings (83.1) and complete games (10). "I think it's great pressure," said Head about the rankings. "How we handle the pressure will be the key. It will be a gut check for us." SVSU finished with a 40-11-1 record last season and won the GLIAC championship with a 23-5-1 mark. The Cardinals made their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs, bowing out in the regional final. |
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