Goldey-Beacom Ranked 14th Nationally in the Collegiate Baseball Preseason Poll

1/4/2022 12:00:00 AM

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An outstanding 2021 campaign for Goldey-Beacom's baseball team provides a great deal of optimism for the 2022 squad, which has been ranked 14th in the country according to the Collegiate Baseball Preseason Poll.

In addition to the team honor, junior shortstop Mason Maxwell (Newfield, NJ) was celebrated as a returning all-region player, sophomore first baseman Garrett Musey (Millville, NJ) was tabbed a player to watch and freshman pitcher Wyatt Atkinson (Moorestown, NJ) was named a newcomer to watch.

The Lightning (22-9, 19-6 CACC) a season ago accomplished a series of firsts on a bevy of levels, topped by the squad's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Goldey-Beacom defeated No. 18 Saint Thomas Aquinas twice in the tournament, ended third in the regional and saw its pitching staff record a 1.00 ERA over the first three games.

Goldey-Beacom also broke the school record for most wins, won the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference South Division title, went on a pair of eight-game winning streaks and opened 8-0 for the best start in program history. GBC led the CACC with 37 home runs, a .508 slugging percentage and a 3.76 ERA.  The ERA was the 11th best in the country.

If that was not enough, Goldey-Beacom outscored its opponents 253-117 and had six players tabbed all-conference with Musey named CACC Rookie of the Year and Tom Riley tabbed Coach of the Year. The awards continued to flow after the season with Musey named second team National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-East Region, Riley picked the organization's East Region Coach of the Year and Maxwell tabbed second team American Baseball Coaches Association All-East Region.

Musey also was tabbed first team all-conference along with senior pitcher Trevor Jump (Wilmington, DE). Maxwell, junior second baseman Connor Megginson (Harbeson, DE), sophomore utility player Kyle Walker (Wilmington, DE) and senior pitcher Mitch Guerrieri (Greentown, PA) were picked second team all-league.

"It is nice to see that people have noticed what a good year we had last year," Riley said. "Our current players and alumni deserve that. However, our focus isn't going to change. Our guys understand that being great teammates, playing great baseball and having more fun playing the game than any team in the country is what drives our team. Wins and recognition will come as long as we keep those three things in perspective."

Maxwell in his two years has demonstrated his worth as a beyond gifted athlete who makes the game seem so simple with his hitting that both is powerful and picturesque and his fielding that both is eye-opening and effortless. A mainstay in the GBC lineup, Maxwell has been Mr. Reliable during his time and that has him first in team history with 14 home runs, second with a .309 batting average and third with 162 assists.

Last season, Maxwell closed 15th in the country with an .839 slugging percentage (third in the CACC), 27th with a school-record .415 batting average (third in the CACC), 33rd with 0.42 doubles per game, 38th with 1.58 hits per contest and first in the CACC with 11 home runs. The NCAA Tournament turned into his personal showcase, during which he batted .588 (10-for-17) with two doubles, three home runs and six RBI.

"Mason has turned himself into one of the best players in the country," Riley said. "He really makes our team go. His personality and the leader he has become is special. No one has more fun at practice, in the weight room and in games than Mason. It's great for our young guys to see how hard he works and how much he loves the work and his teammates. He has gotten better each year and I'm excited to see how good he can be this year."

Musey stepped into the role as first baseman and made it his own, displaying a tremendous amount of offensive power and making himself a mainstay in the lineup. He also had the knack for getting the key hit at crucial times, crushing a game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth inning April 25 against Jefferson and smacking a two-run blast vs. Saint Thomas Aquinas in GBC's 2-1 NCAA Tournament win.

Musey finished the year 71st in the country with a .716 slugging percentage (seventh in the CACC), 82nd with 0.3 home runs per game, third in the CACC with nine home runs (second in team history), 16th with 25 RBI, 19th with a .459 on-base percentage, 28th with 29 hits and homered in five straight contests.

"Garrett is a pure hitter," Riley said. "He has the ability to break open a game with just one swing at any time. He has improved his discipline and will take what the pitcher gives him. When pitchers do make mistakes, he doesn't miss much and can do a lot of damage."

Atkinson last season closed with a 2.41 ERA over 37 2/3 innings with 67 strikeouts. He was picked All-Burlington County Scholastic League and All-Group III in New Jersey. Also the goalkeeper for the soccer team, he was voted Top Male Athlete at Moorestown High School.

"Wyatt is a physical athlete with big time competitive make-up," Riley added. "He has fit in immediately with our team culture and we expect him to be a big contributor this spring."

The Lightning a season ago also placed seven on the league's Academic Honor Roll. This included the since graduated Bryan Bell, who was named CoSIDA Academic All-District.

Goldey-Beacom opens its season February 11 at Lenoir-Rhyne.

2022 Collegiate Baseball DII Preseason Poll (2021 record in parentheses)
1.         Tampa (23-6)
2.         Colorado Mesa (42-7)
3.         Wingate (39-13)
4.         Angelo State (44-9)
5.         Southern Arkansas (30-16)
6.         Minnesota Saint (39-10)
7.         Northwest Nazarene (35-10)
8.         Trevecca Nazarene (36-13)
9.         Southern New Hampshire (28-9)
10.       Ashland (24-19)
11.       Seton Hill (39-8)
12.       Millersville (30-15)
13.       Augustana-SD (36-13)
14.       Goldey-Beacom (22-9)
15.       Davenport (33-16)
16.       Columbus State (31-16)
17.       Lee (36-11)
18.       Henderson State (27-19)
19.       Mercyhurst (27-15)
20.       Catawba (33-11)
21.       Northwood-MI (29-17)
22.       Azusa Pacific (33-10)
23.       West Virginia State (32-10)
24.       Central Missouri (46-8)
25.       Mount Olive (37-12)
26.       Young Harris (23-18)
27.       West Florida (37-11)
28.       West Texas A&M (34-9)
29.       Molloy (25-11)
30.       Lindenwood (34-9)
31.       North Greenville (34-13)
32.       Alabama Huntsville (23-20)
33.       Charleston (33-13)
34.       Bloomsburg (24-18)
35.       Arkansas Tech. (28-17)
36.       Illinois Springfield (37-8)
37.       Quincy (29-15)
38.       Wheeling (27-14)
39.       Franklin Pierce (22-11)
40.       Cal. State Monterey Bay (0-0)

Also Receiving Votes: Chico State, Florida Southern, UNC Pembroke, Western Oregon, Colorado-Colorado Springs, Dominican (NY), Saint Thomas Aquinas, Shorter, Delta State, Missouri Southern, Slippery Rock, Embry-Riddle, Point Loma Nazarene, Texas-Tyler, Barry, North Georgia, Le Moyne, St. Cloud State, Pittsburg State, Southern Indiana, Grand Valley State, St. Mary's (TX), Lubbock Christian, Cal. Poly Pomona, Savannah State, Felician, Chestnut Hill, Oklahoma Baptist, Northwestern Oklahoma State, Wheeling, Metropolitan State, West Chester, Ohio Dominican, Francis Marion.

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