Jan. 23, 2010

click here for coaches' preseason All-CAA team

James Madison, which returns its entire starting lineup from a season ago, has been selected to win the Colonial Athletic Association championship in voting by the league’s head coaches and released by the conference office.

The Dukes received nine first-place votes and 99 points. UNC Wilmington earned the other two first-place votes and accumulated 91 points to place second. Defending CAA champion Georgia State came in third with 75 points, followed by Old Dominion, Delaware, George Mason, Towson and VCU (tied for seventh), Northeastern, William & Mary and Hofstra.

JMU brings back its eight field starters and 11 of its 13 pitchers. Five players received All-CAA honors, including outfielders Matt Townsend (.390, 17 HR), Matt Browning (.376, 59 RBI) and Alex Foltz (right) (.351), infielder/pitcher Trevor Knight (.377, 55 RBI) and second baseman Mike Fabiaschi (.328, 32 RBI). The Dukes have a pair of all-conference pitchers in starter Turner Phelps (8-2, 5.33) and closer Kevin Munson (3-3, 2.85, 9 saves).

The Seahawks return eight of nine starters and all 14 members of their pitching staff. The top hurlers are Daniel Cropper (5-2, 5.46) and Tyler McSwain (2-1, 3.80). Offensive standouts include catcher Cody Stanley (.332, 56 RBI), shortstop Mike Rooney (.341, 43 RBI) and outfielder Grayson Evans (.314, 47 RBI).

The Panthers won their first CAA title in 2009. Six starters return, led by first baseman Bradley Logan (.309, 49 RBI), who was the Most Outstanding Performer in the CAA Tournament. Starters Ryan Moore (7-2, 4.41) and Aidan Francis (5-1, 4.15) anchor the pitching staff, along with closer Justin Malone (1-0, 1.35, 7 saves).

2010 Predicted Order of Finish

(2009 CAA/overall records, points, first-place votes)

1 James Madison (12-11, 30-24) 99 (9)

2 UNC Wilmington (10-8, 31-23) 91 (2)

3 Georgia State (12-9, 39-22) 75

4 Old Dominion (13-11, 22-27) 66

5 Delaware (11-10, 28-20) 61

6 George Mason (19-5, 42-14) 54

7 Towson (12-12, 28-25) 42

7 VCU (8-16, 20-26) 42

9 Northeastern (13-11, 28-25) 40

10 William & Mary (9-14, 24-25) 24

11 Hofstra (6-18, 11-32) 11

(photo courtesy of JMU Media Relations Office)