Vermont Mountaineer baseball is less than 50 days away and Mountaineers players are tuning up on college campuses across the country. A sneak preview of what is in store for NECBL pitching shows nine Mountaineers with batting averages of more than .300 for their respective collegiate teams.

Leading the pack is Hofstra University third baseman, Matt Prokopowicz, who is tattooing the ball at a .422 clip, while teammate and center fielder, Nick Panzerella is flirting with the .300 mark, hitting 294 for the Pride.

UVM's Kyle Massie, our returning left fielder is hitting for a .367 average and, out at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, Justin Parker, hitting third in the lineup has a .363 average, followed by third baseman AJ Pollock, second in the Notre Dame lineup who is batting at .349.

Meanwhile, first baseman Mike Sheridan, batting third for William & Mary has a .322 batting average including two home runs. And the Mountaineer home run leader and right fielder, Robbie Nickle, also from William & Mary, has seven round trippers so far from the fifth slot in the lineup this collegiate season, while posting a .301 batting average. Robbie also has stolen eight bases in ten attempts.

Rounding out the hitting for the future Mountaineers is shortstop Josh Drewery of Gardner Webb, batting at .328; third baseman Curt Smith, batting third at Maine, is hitting at .318; and designated hitter AJ Casario, batting in the top half of the line up at Maryland has a .312 average.

Topping the Mountaineer pitching staff is AJ Balsinde of Maine with an ERA of 4.55. His record is 1-3 with two saves. Jim Clancy at Eastern Kentucky has an ERA of 5.20 in 15 appearances. His record is 2-0. And Justin Gutsie at St. John's University has an ERA of 1.17 in three appearances.

Opening day for the defending NECBL Champions is Friday, June 8, when they host the Holyoke Giants.

All Mountaineer games, home and away will be broadcast on ESPN 1240 WSKI this summer.