Bengals Remain #1 in NJCAA National Poll
Bengals of LSU-Eunice Remain on Top of NJCAA Div. II Baseball Poll
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The NJCAA Division II Baseball Poll has been released and at the top once again is the Bengals of Louisiana State University at Eunice. Coming in just behind them is Western Oklahoma State College and in at No. 3 is Parkland College (Ill.).
LSU at Eunice enters this week's poll with an overall record of 34-6. The Bengals most recent victories came over Delgado Community College (La.) and Copiah Lincoln Community College (Miss.). The Bengals offense is led by the strong leadership of freshman Raph Rhymes, who currently holds an average of .486 with 51 runs, 17 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 62 RBI. On the mound, the Bengals have seen the most production from sophomore Chance Mistric who currently carries a record of 8-0 with a 3.36 ERA and 67 strikeouts through 59 innings of work.
The Bengals will next play three games this week against Baton Rouge Community College (La.). The games will be played in Bengal Stadium and one on the road. LSU-Eunice boasts a record of 24-3 at Bengal Stadium and an equally impressive record on the road at 6-2.
Western Oklahoma State College is the No. 2 team once again coming in with a record of 28-3. The Pioneers latest wins came at the expense of Vernon College (Texas).
As a team, the Pioneers hold a batting average of .397 making them a very difficult team to hang with offensively. Freshman Jhiomar Veras is ranked fourth on the team in terms of batting average with .430 but in terms of pure power and production not many come close. Veras has a slugging percentage of 1.139 with 44 RBIs, and an incredible 16 home runs.
Western Oklahoma will have four games against Redlands Community College (Okla.) this week with two at home and two on the road.
Defending national champion Parkland College is in at No. 3 this week with a record of 23-3. The Cobras moved up from their previous spot of No. 4 since the last poll.
Three Cobra pitchers are tied for wins on the year with five and two of them boast ERA's less than 1.00. Parkland is a strong offensive team with a combined batting average of .366 with five individuals hitting above .400 and 11 players hitting .300 or better.
Parkland will play nine games throughout this next week with six at home and three on the road.
The next NJCAA DII Baseball Poll will be released on April 28, 2010.
Visit
http://njcaa.org/sports_polls.cfm?sid=8&slid=3&category=polls for a complete list of the rankings.
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