PGCROSSCHECKER COLLEGE TEAM SCOUTING REPORT

79. JAMES MADISON (38-21, did not qualify for NCAA post-season play).

Conference/Projected Finish: Colonial/4^th (22-8, 1^st in 2006).

Coach: Spanky McFarland (281-234, 9 years).

First Game: Feb. 17 vs. Fordham.

OVERVIEW: The Dukes finished atop the Colonial Athletic Association last year, but were passed over for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament when they pulled up short in the CAA tournament. Junior OF Kellen Kulbacki (.464-24-75) was a major cog for JMU, winning the conference triple crown. He returns, joined by four other regulars—none of whom hit more than seven homers. Senior 2B Rob Altieri (.321-3-20) and senior SS Davis Stoneburner (.325-6-30) give the Dukes an experienced double-play combination. RHP Kurt Houck (2-2, 3.55), a 6-foot-6, draft-eligible sophomore with a 92-94 mph fastball, moves into the No. 1 spot in the rotation with the departure of the team’s top two starters.

TOP PROSPECT/JUNIOR: Kellen Kulbacki, of. Kulbacki led the nation in homers a year ago, while finishing second in hitting, but he struggled with wood last summer in the Cape Cod League, causing scouts to re-think his draft position. The consensus is he’ll be a third-rounder in June.

TOP FRESHMAN: Kyle Hoffman, rhp. TOP SOPHOMORE: Kurt Houck, rhp. TOP SENIOR: Davis Stoneburner, ss.