KSC Picked to Finish 2nd in LEC Preseason Poll

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. 1/31/12 - Keene State College garnered a first place tally on one coaches' ballot and received 55 total points to debut at No. 2 for the third consecutive Little East Conference baseball preseason survey.

Eastern Connecticut State University has been chosen as the favorite to capture the 2012 Little East baseball regular-season championship, according the annual coaches' preseason poll released this afternoon by the conference office.

Keene State College has been projected to finish second in the Little East race for the fourth time in the past five seasons. Under the watchful eye of Ken Howe, the Owls boasted an overall record of 29-14 in 2011, marking the sixth-straight season with at least 25 victories. Keene State 29 victories are impressive considering the Owls had one of the strongest schedules in the nation. Keene State placed third at the conference championship tournament, falling to the Warriors in the consolation finals.

In 2012, Howe will welcome 29 student-athletes, including seven starters, back into the fold. Senior Jeff Pelkey (Fitzwilliam, N.H.) will be the Owls bona fide ace for the second-straight season. As a junior, Pelkey posted a 7-0 individual record and a 2.70 earned run average to earn All-Little East, first-team honors. Classmate Tim Theising (South Grafton, Mass.) will also provide Keene State with depth in its starting rotation after making 10 starts last spring. The Owls will begin their season on March 2, when Keene State squares off against Farmingdale State at St. Joseph's College (L.I.).