Feb. 9, 2011

CollegeBaseballInsider.com asked college coaches around the country to preview the 2011 college baseball season by sharing their insights on the teams and players to watch in their conferences. CBI compiled their answers to provide a sneak peek for the season ahead. click here for CBI Conference Previews

Today, we take a look at the Ivy League (six of eight coaches responded).

The team to beat is: (tie) Columbia and Dartmouth

Rank the top three starting pitchers: Pat Lowery, Columbia; Brent Suter, Harvard (pictured right); (tie) Mark Gormley, Brown; and Kyle Hendricks, Dartmouth

The top closer is: Ryan Smith, Dartmouth

The pitcher you least want to face is: Brent Suter, Harvard

The most underrated pitcher is: Corey Pappel, Cornell

The best defensive catcher is: Tyler Albright, Harvard

The best catcher arm is: Tyler Albright, Harvard

The best defensive infielder is: Joe Sclafani, Dartmouth

The best infield arm is: Sean O’Hara, Harvard

The best defensive outfielder is: no player received more than one vote

The best outfield arm is: Brian Billigen, Cornell

Rank the three best pure hitters: Joe Sclafani, Dartmouth (pictured right); Dario Pizzano, Columbia; Dan Williams, Penn

Rank the three biggest power threats: Pete Greskoff, Brown; Alexander Aurrichio, Columbia; Will Davis, Penn

The hitter you least want to face is: (tie) Darrio Pizzano, Columbia; and Joe Sclafani, Dartmouth

The toughest hitter to strike out is: (tie) Jon Eisen, Columbia; and Joe Sclafani, Dartmouth

The most underrated hitter is: Matt Colantonio, Brown

The best base-runner is: no player received more than one vote

The best game coach is: Brett Boretti, Columbia

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job is: Scott Marsh, Cornell

(photos courtesy of Dartmouth & Harvard Media Relations Offices)