Despite former La Roche University head coach Chase Rowe stepping down from the helm earlier this year, the seven-time AMCC baseball champions are still expected to defend their league title, according to league coaches. Penn State Altoona is likely to take the second spot, with Penn State Behrend rounding out the top three.  

Penn State Behrend sophomore INF Joshua Wagner has been chosen as the AMCC Preseason Player of the Year. Wagner was named a 2020 Collegiate Baseball Player to Watch. He was an AMCC first team all-conference selection last season after batting .355. He concluded the season ranked third in NCAA DIII statistics in doubles (23) and third in doubles per game (.56). He was first in the league in RBIs (32), doubles (18), and total chances (153), while ranking third in hits (32) and at-bats (75). Wagner led Behrend and the AMCC in RBIs (51) and was second in doubles (23).

Behrend sophomore P Thomas Zbezinski has been named the AMCC Preseason Pitcher of the Year. Zbezinski was also named a 2020 Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Player to Watch. He was the 2019 AMCC Newcomer of the Year and was a second team all-conference selection. He finished the season tied for first in AMCC games with wins at 5-1 on the mound. He was also tied for first in games started, while ranking third in ERA (3.07) and was fifth in innings pitched (35.2). Zbezinski was tied for first in wins at 7-2 and was sixth in strikeouts (51). He made 13 appearances while pitching 61.1 innings and holding opponents to a .256 batting average.

The AMCC tournament will begin with first round play on May 2, followed by the championship round May 7-9 at the site of the number one seed.  The winner will earn the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.

Click here for complete preseason rankings and players to watch.