@Philabaseball
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper announced today West Chester University will enter the 2013 campaign as the No. 1 team in the country. The accolade marks the first time the Rams have ever received preseason No. 1 honors in any poll.
West Chester (46-10) defeated Delta State last year to win the NCAA Division II title, becoming the first team from the state of Pennsylvania to win an NCAA baseball championship at any level.
The Rams lost All-American second baseman Joe Wendle in last June's amateur draft but return two solid upperclassman pitchers in Joe Gunkel and Fred Breidenbach.
Senior designated hitter Jordan Wlodarczyk was also recognized by the the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper with preseason All-American honors.
West Chester opens the season Feb. 8 with a non-league contest at Lander in Greenwood, S.C. and open the home portion of the schedule on Feb. 23 with a doubleheader against College of Saint Rose.
The entire NCAA Division II poll can be found here.
- Patrick Gordon is the editor of the Philadelphia Baseball Review. Contact him at pgordon@philadelphiabaseballreview.com or @Philabaseball on Twitter.
