Complete Game Notes as a PDF

2010 SEASON BEGINS
The Southern Connecticut State University baseball team is scheduled to start its 2010 season this weekend in Petersburg, Va. The Owls are set for back-to-back doubleheaders beginning on Friday, Feb. 27. The squad's first contest is scheduled for 4 p.m. against East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (0-0). The following day, the Owls will face Dominican College (0-0) starting at 3 p.m.

LEAVING THEIR MARK
Kevin Bowerman, Karl Derbacher and Justin Cox all left a mark in the record book as they concluded their careers at Southern Connecticut. Bowerman played the third most games in Owls history (177), recorded the fifth most stolen bases (63) and notched the fifth most assists (373) in program history. Derbacher finished his career with the most games played (194) as an Owl and walked more than any other SCSU player in their career (109). He also concluded an impressive career ranked second all-time in at-bats (674) and triples (13) and third all-time in runs scored (150). Cox finished his career tied for fourth all-time in wins (21) and fifth all-time in strikeouts (185).

ALL-CONFERENCE RETURNERS
Of the 16 returnees from last year's squad, five earned All-Conference honors last season for their performances throughout the 2009 campaign. Leading the way was first basemen Ryan Geffert. Geffert was tabbed as Northeast-10 Co-Freshman of the Year and was a First-Team selection. Ed Bethke, Sam Greenberg and Eric Schlitter were all Third-Team selections. Geffert, Greenberg and Schlitter also joined fellow classmate Ryan Yerina on the All-Rookie team.

IN THE NE-10 PRESEASON POLL
The Owls were tabbed for second in this year's Northeast-10 Preseason Coaches Poll with the same amount of points as Adelphi. Franklin Pierce was selected as the preseason favorite.

THE CAPTAINS
Seniors Ed Bethke and Kyle Penney serve as team captains for the Owls this spring.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB
Eight of the 24 players on the SCSU roster are new to the club this season. The newcomers are comprised of three juniors, two sophomores and three freshmen.

DIAPER DANDY
Ryan Geffert had a truly remarkable freshman year. Following the 2009 season, he was honored with All-ECAC, All-Region, and First-Team All-Northeast-10 Conference selections and was named Northeast-10 Co-Freshman of the Year. He was also selected to play in the NEIBA All-Star Game. He ranked within the top-10 in 12 statistical categories in the Northeast-10 and led the conference in slugging percentage (.637). He recorded a .375 batting average (fifth in NE-10) with nine home runs (tied for third in NE-10) and 54 RBI (second in NE-10).

HOME SWEET HOME
The Owls ended the 2009 regular season with an 11-4 home record. In those 15 contests, they outscored their opponents 95-63.

HEAD COACH TIM SHEA
Affiliated with Southern Connecticut State University as a student-athlete, instructor and coach for two decades, Tim Shea's long-standing relationship with the university has been a tremendously successful one. He took over as head baseball coach prior to the 2002 season after serving 11 years as an Owls assistant to Joe Bandiera. Over the course of the past eight years, Shea has compiled a 228-157 record. He guided the Owls to the NCAA Division II World Series in 2005. Shea's latest accomplishments include the 2008 Northeast Region Coach of the Year and 2008 Northeast-10 Conference Coach of the Year Honors.

ON DECK
Following the weekends' action, the Owls return to the field on March 5 as they head to New York to face Mercy College at 3 p.m.