Coming off the 2009 regular-season title, UD was the preseason No. 1 pick but failed to make the conference tournament as one of the top six finishers in the league.
Defending champ Charlotte earned the coaches’ nod this year, while Xavier was picked second.
“We had a lot of hype going in, and we didn’t handle it well — me and our team,” Vittorio said.
Several Flyers have pro potential, particularly on the pitching staff, and regular visits from big-league personnel proved to be a distraction.
“There were a lot of (radar) guns at the games. Whether consciously or subconsciously, guys started not playing for us. It needed to be we instead of I,” Vittorio said. “I’m not saying guys did that on purpose, but there were a lot of scouts there, and we didn’t perform well, that’s the bottom line.”
The disappointing finish, though, has turned the Flyers into a motivated bunch. And they have the talent perhaps to produce the program’s first NCAA tournament appearance.
The top three pitchers — Cameron Hobson, Burny Mitchem and Mike Hauschild — have all returned. Leading the offense is shortstop Brian Blasik, who hit a team-leading .346 with 37 RBIs and eight homers last season.
“There’s enough back on the mound and in the field to be excited about the season,” said Vittorio, whose team starts practice Friday and opens the season Feb. 18 at the Lipscomb tournament in Nashville, Tenn.
Although his team faded with a 23-32 record last season, Vittorio has done enough over his career to be courted by other schools. Ball State tried to woo him away last summer, and the Indianapolis native admits those overtures were enticing.
“It was something that could seem like a possible fit — I’m from the state of Indiana,” he said. “But the bottom line is, I’ve been here 12 years. I love this place. I’m a Flyer.”
WOMEN'S TRACK: Senior Maureen Bulgrin took first in the 5,000-meter run at the All-Ohio championships Saturday. The All-Atlantic 10 performer is off to a great start again, having captured the 3,000-meter run at the Bowling Green Challlenge a week earlier.
UD’s Mallory Barnes placed first in the weight throw and fifth in the shot put. Cincinnati won the meet, while the Flyers finished seventh.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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