Pitman, N.J. (2/21/08) - After capturing the 2007 NCAA Division III National Championship, Kean University has been selected as the 2008 preseason baseball favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The defending national champions, who finished their 2007 campaign with an overall record of 43-8, are seeking their second conference title since the inception of the NJAC baseball championship back in 1958. Kean was selected to finish first on five-of-the-ten ballots cast by the league's head coaches. Under the direction of 2007 NJAC Coach of the Year Neil Ioviero, the Cougars have posted an overall record of 281-125-2 during his 11 seasons in a Cougar uniform. Kean captured the 2007 NJAC regular season championship with a 15-3 conference mark and advanced to the NJAC Tournament championship game.

The Cougars return four all-conference players from its national championship squad including senior outfielder/catcher Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.), senior second baseman Maikel De La Rosa (Newark, N.J.), senior third baseman Ryan Clark (Livingston, N.J.), and senior outfielder Dan Mattonelli (Hamilton, N.J.).

NJAC Poll
1. Kean (5)
2. Montclair State (4)
3. Rowan (1)
4. The College of New Jersey
5. Richard Stockton (dark horse)
6. Ramapo
7. William Paterson
8. Rutgers-Camden
9. Rutgers-Newark
10. New Jersey City