Feb. 10, 2012

CollegeBaseballInsider.com asked college coaches around the country to preview the 2012 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 NEC (six of nine coaches responded).

The team to beat in your conference is: Monmouth

Rank the top three starting pitchers: Pat Light, Monmouth (right); Nick Neumann, CCSU; Nick Leiningen, Sacred Heart; Troy Schribner, Sacred Heart

The top closer is: Evan Zerff, LIU Brooklyn

The pitcher you least want to face is: Nick Neumann, CCSU

The most underrated pitcher is: Peter Kelich, Bryant

The best defensive catcher is: Tyler Jones, LIU Brooklyn

The best catcher arm is: (tie) Tyler Jones, LIU Brooklyn; and Kyle Nisson, Quinnipiac

The best defensive infielder is: David Soltis, Bryant

The best infield arm is: David Soltis, Bryant

The best defensive outfielder is: Kevin Brown, Bryant

The best outfield arm is: Kevin Brown, Bryant

Rank the three best pure hitters: Tyler Jones, LIU Brooklyn; Kevin Brown, Bryant; Mitch Wells, CCSU

Rank the three biggest power threats: Danny Avella, Monmouth; Rob Griffith, Sacred Heart (right); Kevin Brown, Bryant

The hitter you least want to face is: Tyler Jones, LIU Brooklyn

The toughest hitter to strike out is: no player received more than one vote

The most underrated hitter is: Ryan Kresky, Fairleigh Dickinson

The best base-runner is: Pete Leonello, LIU Brooklyn

The best game coach is: Charlie Hickey, CCSU

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job is: Pat Hall, CCSU

(Light photo courtesy of Monmouth University Photography)

(Griffith photo courtesy of Sacred Heart Media Relations Office)