PGCROSSCHECKER COLLEGE TEAM SCOUTING REPORT

31. COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON (46-17, lost in NCAA super-regionals).

Conference/Projected Finish: Southern/1^st (20-7, 2^nd in 2006; won conference post-season tournament).

Coach: John Pawlowski (260-153, 7 years).

First Game: Feb. 14 vs. Charleston Southern.

OVERVIEW: The Cougars came within a step of their first College World Series appearance a year ago and return junior C Alex Garabedian (.366-6-51), the team’s top hitter and best prospect, and a stellar double-play combination of senior 2B Chris Campbell (.319-4-58) and junior SS Oliver Marmol (.314-2-33). Senior RHP Nick Chigges (11-2, 1.40) and sophomore LHP Jeff Beliveau (6-4, 3.40) form the backbone of a pitching staff that has added three junior college arms from Florida and new closer Mike Lynn, a transfer from Louisville.

X-Factor: Junior RHP Danny Meszaros (9-2, 3.22) was a proven starter for the Cougars, but he was lost for the season with shoulder surgery. The ability of reinforcements like 6-foot-6, 230-pound junior RHP Brian Schlitter (Lake City, Fla. , CC) and 6-foot-4, 185-pound junior LHP Michael Bunton (Tallahassee, Fla. , CC) to pick up the pieces will be a key to Charleston ’s success.

TOP FRESHMAN: Hutson Dodds, of. The 5-foot-9 Dodds is a speedy little player who runs the 60 in 6.6 seconds and is a polished bunter. He fits Charleston ’s aggressive style of play and is expected to contribute immediately in a DH role.

TOP SOPHOMORE: Jeff Beliveau, lhp. Charleston’s top prospect for the 2008 draft is the hardest thrower on the pitching staff, capable of touching 92 mph. He lacks command, but offers a nice complement in the rotation to Chigges, whose forte is pinpoint control.

TOP JUNIOR: Alex Garabedian, c. A seventh-round draft pick of the Yankees out of a Florida high school, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Garabedian played sparingly as a freshman at Miami but has blossomed in his two years at Charleston. Defense and power are his strong suits.

TOP SENIOR: Nick Chigges, rhp. Chigges doesn’t have overpowering stuff but compiled one of the best records in college baseball last year because he knows how to pitch and gets the most out of his ability. He has excellent command of an 88-90 mph fastball, a 79-82 slider (his best pitch) and changeup.