FROM PRESS RELEASE
RICHMOND, Va. (February 5, 2021) – Northeastern and UNCW are favored to capture their respective divisions in the 2021 CAA baseball race according to a vote of the league’s head baseball coaches.

Northeastern was a unanimous pick to claim the North Division title (coaches weren’t allowed to vote for their own team) with eight first-place votes and 29 total points. Delaware was second in the North, followed by Hofstra and Towson. Two-time defending CAA champion UNCW received seven first-place votes and 35 points to top the South Division. Charleston, which got two first-place votes, was second, followed by Elon, James Madison and William & Mary.

The CAA will split into divisions for the first time since 2003 with the goal of reducing travel and limiting exposure associated with the CoVID-19 pandemic. Each team will play a 24-game divisional conference schedule in the regular season. The top two teams in each division plus two at-large teams will make up the field for the 2021 CAA Baseball Championship, which will be held May 26-30 at Brooks Field on the campus of UNCW.

Northeastern, which captured CAA regular-season titles in 2017 and 2018, returns a veteran lineup led by preseason all-conference honorees Ian Fair, Scott Holzwasser and Jared Dupere. On the mound, the Huskies welcome back starters Kyle Murphy and Sebastian Keane as well as closer Brandon Dufault.

UNCW has won three of the past five CAA tournament championships. The Seahawks feature a deep pitching staff led by right-hander Landen Roupp, the 2021 CAA Preseason Player of the Year, as well as starter Luke Gesell and closer Adam Smith. There is also plenty of firepower offensively with third baseman Cole Weiss and outfielder Noah Bridges, who both made the preseason All-CAA squad.

Charleston was off to a sizzling 12-2 start in 2020 before the season was halted. Among the returnees for the Cougars are first baseman Ari Sechopoulos, outfielder Donald Hansis and starting pitcher Caswell Smith, who were recognized on the preseason All-CAA team.

Delaware has plenty of familiar faces in its lineup with first baseman Joseph Carpenter, outfielder Kyle Baker and catcher Jack Goan. The Blue Hens also have two of the CAA’s top relief pitchers in Bryce Greenly and Derek Wakeley.

Elon won the CAA regular-season title and advanced to the conference championship game in 2019. The Phoenix lineup includes outfielder Anthony Galason and infielder Jack Roberts, while starter Jared Wetherbee and closer Joe Sprake lead the pitching staff.

Hofstra was batting .302 as a team before the 2020 season was halted and the Pride’s top hitters are back. Infielder Austin Gauthier and outfielder Anthony D’Onofrio were atop the league’s individual batting leaders, while Rob Weissheier was also in the top 10.

James Madison had won 10 of its last 13 games before the 2020 season ended and hopes to continue the momentum. Among the returnees for the Dukes are preseason All-CAA picks Chase DeLauter and Kyle Novak, as well as pitcher Justin Showalter, who was 4-0 with a 0.68 ERA in 2020.

Towson captured five of its final six contests before the 2020 campaign was halted. Among the top returnees for the Tigers are outfielders Matt Arceo and Javon Fields as well as veteran starting pitcher Josh Seils.

William & Mary was also playing well at the end of the 2020 season with wins in five of its last seven games. Back to lead the Tribe are catcher Matthew Trehub, infielder Matt McDermott and outfielder/pitcher Jack Cone.

2021 CAA BASEBALL PRESEASON PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

2021 PRESEASON ALL-CAA BASEBALL TEAM

CAA Preseason Player of the Year:  Landen Roupp, UNCW

Honorable Mention:  Jack Goan, C, Delaware; Matt McDermott, IF, William & Mary; Rob Weissheier, IF, Hofstra; Kyle Baker, OF, Delaware; Javon Fields, OF, Towson; Anthony Galason, OF, Elon, Donald Hansis, OF, Charleston; Hunter Hart, DH, William & Mary; Luke Gesell, SP, UNCW; Kyle Murphy, SP, Northeastern; Derek Wakeley, RP, Delaware