Baseball Slotted Third in the First 2023 NCAA East Region Rankings

5/3/2023 12:00:00 AM

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The much sought after and anticipated NCAA regional rankings are out and Goldey-Beacom's baseball team is ranked third in the East Region.

These rankings are the primary criteria in determining seeds and at-large berths for the NCAA Tournament. For the East Region, the area's three conference champions (Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, Northeast 10 Conference and East Coast Conference) get an automatic bid and will be joined by four at-large selections to finalize the seven-team field that sends its champion to the Division II World Series in Cary, NC.

Among many key players on the squad include senior Johnny Kampes (Colora, MD), who has more than solidified his claim as one of the nation's top catchers. One of the College's most talented athletes, Kampes is a threat at all times with his incredible power, timely hitting and stupendous defense that has ended many opponents rallies.

One of the most exciting athletes to watch compete, Kampes is first in the CACC with 17 doubles, first with 40 stolen bases, second with 10 home runs, second with 48 RBI, seventh with 57 hits and 18th with a .350 batting average.

Kampes also is first in school history with 46 stolen bases, fourth with 16 home runs, fifth with 81 RBI and fifth with 25 doubles.

Junior third baseman Kyle Walker (Wilmington, DE) has been one of the program's most vital players with exceptional hitting on a consistent basis. This was witnessed earlier this season when the 2021 second team All-CACC pick went on a school-record 26-game hitting streak, during which he batted .362 (34-of-94) with nine extra-base hits and 22 RBI.

Another exciting athlete to see play, Walker is second in league with 64 hits, fourth with 43 RBI and ninth with a .360 batting average. He is first in school history with a .338 career batting average, second with 156 hits, second with 92 RBI, fourth with 27 doubles and tied for fourth with 27 stolen bases.

Sophomore center fielder Christian Petrillo (New Brunswick, NJ) has been an incredible addition with his solid hitting from the leadoff spot and solid coverage of center field thanks his speed that at times seems hard to fathom. He is second in the CACC with 29 stolen bases, third with 63 hits, fifth with .368 batting average and 11th with a .456 on base percentage.

Junior southpaw Jake Kelchner (Collegeville, PA) has been one of the conference's top pitchers, giving the Lightning consistently strong starts each time. Throwing at least six innings in six of his last eight starts and notching at least six strikeouts four times, Kelchner is third in the league with a 3.44 ERA, 13th with 49 strikeouts and 22nd with a .236 batting average against.

Junior Justin Jump (Wilmington, DE) also has been solid on the mound and twice this season has been picked the league's Pitcher of the Week. He is 11th in the league with four wins, ninth with 59 strikeouts and 39th with a .255 batting average against.

The NCAA Tournament's selection show is May 14 and the regional is scheduled to begin May 18.

This marks the third consecutive year Goldey-Beacom (31-16, 16-8 CACC) has been in the regional rankings, a season in which the squad has four wins against nationally ranked teams and has broken the school record for most victories.

The 2021 squad won the CACC South Division title before notching two victories in the NCAA Tournament, its first since the program's reinstatement in 2017. The 2022 unit was ranked 14th nationally in the Collegiate Baseball preseason poll and recorded 27 wins, a school record until this year.

Goldey-Beacom is the number two seed in the conference's South Division and on Friday will host third-seeded Jefferson in the first round of the CACC Tournament. The best-of-three series opens with a noon doubleheader and will continue, if necessary, with game three on Saturday at 1:00 pm. All games of the series will be at Doyle Field in Hockessin, DE.

NCAA East Region Rankings

1. Southern New Hampshire
2. Southern Connecticut State
3. Goldey-Beacom
4. New Haven
5. Le Moyne
6. Franklin Pierce
7. Post
8. Molloy
9. Wilmington (DE)

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