Baseball Picked to Win the CACC South Division

1/31/2024 12:00:00 AM

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The expectations on Goldey-Beacom's baseball team also are seen by the league's coaches, who picked it to win the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division.

One of the key players back is senior third baseman Kyle Walker (Wilmington, DE), a first team All-CACC and second team CCA All-East Region pick from last year who has evolved into the most consistent player and hitter in program history. One of the best teammates at the school, Walker enters the season first in school history with 168 hits, first with 99 RBI and second with a .334 batting average.

Senior southpaw Jake Kelchner (Collegeville, PA) arrived on campus last season and made an immediate impact, defining himself as of the region's best big-game pitchers. One of the school's hardest-working athletes, the first team All-CACC and second team CCA All-East Region selection already is tied for fifth in team history with seven wins, 10th outright with 72 strikeouts and 10th with 77 innings.

Junior center fielder Christian Petrillo (New Brunswick, NJ) was another debutant from last year who made himself a mainstay in the lineup, earning his selection as second team All-CACC. A top-notcher defender who remains a sparkplug on the bases, Petrillo begins this season first in team history with a .335 batting average and fifth with 37 stolen bases.

The infield also is highlighted by senior first baseman Garrett Musey (Millville, NJ), a 2021 first team All-CACC, second team NCBWA All-East Region and CACC Rookie of the Year pick before being named second team all-league the following year. Junior shortstop Braden Kolmansberger (Lewisberry, PA), a second team all-league selection in 2022, and senior second baseman Darin Miller (Mifflinburg, PA) solidify the middle of the infield with their reliable defense and once again will be keys this season.

Kolmansberger already has made news this season in being picked to the NCBWA Preseason All-East Region Team.

Senior Demetrius Johnson (Glassboro, NJ) hopes to continue his climb toward being one of the region's best in left field and sophomore Anthony Charles (Mullica Hill, NJ) looks to win the job in right.

Senior pitcher Justin Jump (Wilmington, DE) is coming off a solid fall that followed a spring in which he tossed a school-record 81 2/3 innings, ending with a school-record 76 strikeouts. He enters the year tied for fifth in school history with seven wins, fifth outright with 132 strikeouts and fifth with 131 innings.

Kevin Dillon (Mouth Bethel, PA) enters following an outstanding freshman campaign and is a relentless strike thrower. He recorded a 39:14 strikeout-to-walk ration in notching a 5-1 record over 45 2/3 innings.

The Lightning are ranked fourth in the NCBWA Preseason Poll, joining CACC foes Post (eighth) and Wilmington (10th) in the top 10.

Goldey-Beacom (37-20) last season had another sensational campaign in which it played in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three seasons, hosted a regional for the first time and broke the school record for most wins. The team also received votes in the NCBWA national poll prior to the NCAA Tournament, was second in the NCAA East Regional rankings and won four times against schools that competed in the NCAA Division II World Series.

It also marked the third straight season the Lightning were part of the NCAA East Regional rankings.

Goldey-Beacom's first NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2021, when the squad notched two victories over nationally ranked Saint Thomas Aquinas. This was after the Lightning won the CACC South Division title, closing with a 22-9 overall record and 19-6 in the CACC.

The 2022 unit also excelled, ranked 14th nationally in the Collegiate Baseball preseason poll and recorded 27 wins.

Goldey-Beacom opens its season February 16 with a doubleheader against Mercy in Cary, NC.

2024 CACC Baseball Preseason Poll

South Division
1. Goldey-Beacom 44 pts. (6 first-place votes)
2. Wilmington 42 pts. (3)
3. Jefferson 37 pts. (2)
4. Chestnut Hill 23 pts.
5. Holy Family 14 pts.

North Division
1. Post 56 pts. (6)
2. Felician 55 pts. (5)
3. Dominican (NY) 41 pts.
4. Bridgeport 28 pts.
5. Caldwell 26 pts.
6. Bloomfield 19 pts.

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