The West Virginia State University baseball team was picked to finish second in the South Division in the Mountain East Conference’s preseason poll for the 2022 season. WVSU was slotted behind Concord, separated by a single point, in the poll and received four first-place votes.
The Yellow Jackets are coming off a 2021 season in which they captured their third MEC Tournament title and made their first appearance in the NCAA Atlantic Region Tournament since 2015. West Virginia State was also co-champions of the MEC South Division, along with Charleston, and finished the season with a 32-10 overall record and 24-4 conference record.
“We return quality position players, offensively and defensively,” said eighth-year Head Coach Sean Loyd. “I anticipate this team to be really good. Our pitching will determine how far we go.”
Key players returning this year include brothers Michael Stone and Andrew Stone, shortstop Brett Christian, outfielder Trey Junkins, and designated hitter Matthew Kline. Starting pitchers Daniel Brandon and Nick Loftis will also be returning to top the rotation. Some newcomers to look out for include West Virginia High School Player of the Year Nate Paulsen, WVU Tech transfer Andrew Sharp, and California native Dante Zamudio.
Key losses from a season ago include first baseman Matt Harrison, now playing for the Charleston Dirty Birds, and pitching staff ace Ethan Lauchart. Top relief pitcher Jacob Bradley joined the coaching staff after his final year of eligibility expired and third baseman Christopher Jordan penned a contract with the Trinidad Triggers of the Pecos League.
Concord was picked as the favorite to win the South Division with 57 points and seven first-place votes. The Mountain Lions return three all-region hitters in Evan Antonellis, Zack Saryeldin and Anthony Stehlin, last spring’s MEC Player of the Year. West Virginia State was a close second in the poll voted on by the league’s coaches with 56 points and four first-place votes. Charleston was not far behind with 53 points and one first-place vote. Glenville State (38 points), Davis & Elkins (25 points), and West Virginia Wesleyan (17 points) rounded out the South Division preseason rankings.
Wheeling was the clear favorite to top the MEC North Division with 63 points and eight first-place votes. In addition to the team’s first divisional title, the Cardinals are coming off a school-record 27 wins. They return several key players who earned All-MEC honors last spring in Chris Iazetta, Jacob Murray and Riley Cameron. West Liberty (45 points) was picked second in the North Division followed by Fairmont State (39 points), Frostburg State (38 points), Notre Dame (37 points), and Alderson Broaddus (24 points). Frostburg garnered two first-place votes while Fairmont and NDC each had one.
MEC North Division
- Wheeling (8) – 63
- West Liberty – 45
- Fairmont State (1) – 39
- Frostburg State (2) – 38
- Notre Dame (1) – 37
- Alderson Broaddus – 24
MEC South Division
- Concord (7) – 57
- West Virginia State (4) – 56
- Charleston (1) – 53
- Glenville State – 38
- Davis & Elkins – 25
- West Virginia Wesleyan – 17
*The 2022 West Virginia State baseball schedule can be viewed here. All dates and times are tentative and are subject to change.