Handicapping the Ivy field

Gehrig Division Columbia: First place in the Gehrig Division is the only acceptable finish for the Lions as they try to improve upon thier two straight second-place finishes. Despite the loss of Ivy League Player of the Year Garret Neubart, the Lions have the talent to compete with Penn for the title. Columbia still has many weapons on offense, which will be lead by senior Marc Mezzardi and junior Travis Hunter, both of whom had solid spring trips to start the season. The offense will be led by all-Ivy performers Jason Wynn and Rob Kunzweiler and also power hitter John Guilfoy, who has three homers already this season. Columbia's weak point last year was pitching, but Lions coach Paul Fernandez is optimistic that his staff will improve this year. Leading the way will be all-Ivy righthander Steve Ceterko (1-1 3.78 era this year) and junior Eric Rothfield (2-1 5.48 era). "If I had to make my pick for the division winner, I'd take Penn," Fernandez said. "But I'm not too good of a prognosticator, so don't take my word on it." Cornell: The Big Red hope to overtake first place this season in the Gehrig division after finishing second to Penn last year. The task may prove difficult for an inexperienced team that features only five seniors. Complicating matters is the loss of senior all-Ivy league first baseman and catcher Eric Kirby. Cornell's single-season home run record-holder left school due to medical complications, creating a huge void in the lineup. Cornell's chances could rest on the arms of an untested pitching staff. Senior Tim Ryan will provide the veteran influence as he assumes the role of staff ace. Freshman Brian Williamson is expected to fill the number two spot after an impressive fall season. "We have a solid group of arms and a staff that is experienced," Big Red coach Tom Ford said. "With the defense we expect to have, the pitchers need to throw strikes and let the rest of the team do the work." The infield was supposed to have been a strength, but the loss of Kirby has created some question marks. The outfield will feature three new starters, with Ryan being the only one with significant playing experience. Princeton: Last year, the Tigers finished in the Gehrig Division basement, and there is little reason to think that Tom O'Connell's team will be able to catch up to their divisional rivals this year. The Tigers lost their best hitter in first baseman Zack Perry, and their best pitcher in Dave Kahney, who accounted for five of the team's 14 wins last year. Princeton's strong point will be its outfield, where Todd Kata (.323 average) and Mike Ciminiello (five homers, 27 rbi) return. Senior third baseman Tom Hage (.301 avg, 27 rbi) will also provide some pop in the lineup. However, it looks like this season will be a trying one for the Tigers.