WSU baseball picked to win the Horizon League in preseason poll

Wright State achieved overwhelming success in 2011, but the team moved on long ago.

"Last year's over," manager Rob Cooper said. "You can take experience from it, you can take learning experiences and different things like that, but we're not in last year right now."

Cooper, the Horizon League Coach of the Year the past two seasons, guided the Raiders to a 36-19 record and both the Horizon League regular and postseason titles. They earned their third NCAA Tournament berth in six years before losing to Texas A&M and Arizona.

But those results didn't satisfy the team.

"Any time your guys can get rewarded for their work and be one of 64 teams still playing at the end of the year, it's a good thing," Cooper said. "Having said that, we are not happy with the way we played in the tournament. We'd like to get back to that spot, but we have a long ways to go."

While the Raiders lost outfielder Dan Marsh, starter Michael Woytek and reliever Michael Meintel, the rest of the club is back.

The infield is led by four members of the First Team All-Horizon League: first baseman Jake Hibberd (Sr.), shortstop Justin Kopale (Jr.), third baseman Zach Tanner (Sr.) and catcher Corey Davis (Sr.). At second base, Sam Picchiotti (Jr.) returns.

Hibberd earned a variety of honors in 2011, including Horizon League Player of the Year, WSU Male Athlete of the Year and a selection on the Louisville Slugger All-American team. He also won the Horizon League Triple Crown, leading the conference in batting average, home runs and runs batted in.

Tristan Moore (Sr.)--another member of the Horizon League First Team--and Ryan Ashe (Sr.) form a strong outfield combination. Kyle Mossbarger (Sr.) could transition from designated hitter to claim Marsh's spot.

Other returning position players include Garret Gray (Jr.), Kody Krizman (Jr.), Craig Hyson (So.), Andrew Elliot (So.) and Jack Murphy (Jr.). Gray--a member of the 2010 Horizon League First Team--missed last year with an injury and could be the designated hitter.

New faces like freshman Logan Blair, Corey Werner, Ryan McPike, Cody Simon and Michael Timm have plenty of veteran leadership to learn from in 2012.

For all the experience of the everyday players, the pitching staff is not as stable.

"We need some guys to step up on the mound from a starting pitching standpoint," Cooper said. "We don't have one weekend rotation guy that's back for us. We need somebody to step up and take that kind of role."

The only returning starter is Casey Henn (Sr.). But the bullpen offers guys like Lee Valencheck (Sr.), Cody Kopilchack (Jr.), Jordan Marker (Sr.), Taylor Braun (So.), Joely Hoelzel (Jr.), Travis Hissong (So.), David Deliz (So.) and Tanner Howell (Jr.).

Incoming freshman pitchers include Luke Mamer, Jack Van Horn, Vinny Galiardi, Brett Humphrey and Isaac Beller.

While the Raiders don't know who will take the mound to start games, they know who will close them: Michael Schum (Sr.).

Schum made First Team All-Horizon League last year and was named the relief pitcher of the year in the conference. Along with Hibberd, he is a preseason Louisville Slugger All-American for 2012.

Despite all those returning players and being a unanimous pick to win the Horizon League again, Cooper anticipates a tough season.

"I think one of the challenges is going to be to understand that we've got a target on our backs," Cooper said.

Though the Raiders don't dwell on the past, they are careful not to look too far ahead. With a simple message, Cooper keeps them grounded.

"Just stay focused on today."