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2008 Oberlin Baseball Prospectus (PDF)
February 26 – The Oberlin College baseball team received 26 points as they were selected to finish eighth in the 2008 NCAC Preseason Poll as voted on by the league coaches.
“We have a lot of young and eager newcomers that I feel will be ready to step up this season,” head coach Eric Lahetta said. “Combined them with a good mixture of veteran talent, I think we have a very legitimate shot of surprising some people this year.”
Oberlin (17-23, 6-10 NCAC in 2007) is led by juniors Jeremy Simon and Cal Kyrkostas. Simon batted .327 a year ago, while Kyrkostas was a nemesis on the bases with 21 steals.
On the mound, the Yeomen return First-Team All-NCAC selection Jack Dunn. The sophomore southpaw started 11 games in 2007, finishing 6-6 with a 2.52 ERA to go along with 53 strikeouts in 71.1 innings of work. OC will also return a pair of right-handed starters to the rotation in P.J. Carter and Eric Gibbs.
Defensively up the middle Oberlin will look to some first-year players to make an immediate impact. Ben Puterbaugh will join Kyrkostas on the other side of the double-play combination at shortstop, while Shane Hisner is slated to control the outfield from his centerfield spot. Fellow first-year Phil Brua will also share time behind the plate with sophomore Wayne Mundekis.
Oberlin will begin its 2008 campaign on Saturday, March 8, at the Mountaineer Classic in Berea, Ky.
2008 NCAC Preseason Baseball Poll
First-place votes in parentheses, followed by total points:
1. Wooster (9) 99
2. Ohio Wesleyan (1) 90
3. Denison 68
4. Wittenberg 67
5. Allegheny 63
6. Kenyon 48
7. Wabash 45
8. Oberlin 26
9. Hiram 24
10. Earlham 20
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