Wheaton, Ill. -The 2010 season looks to be the year Wheaton College baseball has been building towards for the last three seasons. Or maybe even the culmination of the last 100 years. The Thunder are hoping the historic achievements of the past two years are only a prelude for greater things to come.

After struggling its way to a 10-win season in 2007, the Thunder broke through and shattered the school record for wins with a 23-14 mark in 2008. They followed that up with a 23-19 record in 2009 and a first-ever berth in the CCIW Tournament championship game.

That turnaround is not lost on Lee Driggers. The second-year head coach is using a bid for history to motivate his returning squad of veterans.

“With back-to-back appearances in the conference tournament, I think we've earned the respect of the league,” Driggers said. “I don't think anyone looks at Wheaton anymore as free wins. That's one thing this group of seniors has achieved here. How I've tried to motivate this team is these seniors have the chance to be the winningest class in Wheaton baseball history. They have the chance to put together three 20-plus win seasons in a row. There is a lot to play for.”

Continuity will be one of the keys to success this season as the Thunder return 21 of the 26 players from last year's roster. That group includes five First Team All-Conference members, four All-Central Region selections and the entire starting batting order that broke multiple offensive team records.

“We didn't lose a starting position player from last year,” Driggers said. “Each team takes on its own character, its own personality, its own chemistry. We've added a few new faces. We're up to 30 players, which is the maximum that we want. It's very important that our team has the ability to put the team first and themselves second, and make decisions that are best for the team.”

Wheaton's returning hitters combined to hit for a .328 batting average in 2009 with an average of 7.7 runs scored per game. Shortstop Brian Kolb leads the way with a bevy of prolific stats. The senior currently ranks first in school history in career batting average (.456), slugging percentage (.647), on-base percentage (.513), hits (198), doubles (37) and is second in career RBI (112).

Junior outfielder Charlie Antal rejoins Kolb in the lineup as a First Team All-Conference selection after setting a school-record with 11 home runs while hitting .324 with 41 RBI. Second baseman Ryan Miller (.367, 3 HR, 35 RBI) returns for his sophomore campaign with First Team All-Conference and Third Team All-Region accolades.

First Team All-Conference selection Steve Dennison brings back a team-best .633 slugging percentage to go with a .385 batting average, five homers and 33 RBI. Sophomore outfielder Justin Zeller started all 42 games last season (.329, 7 HR, 44 RBI, 33 BB) while senior third baseman Mark Price compiled a .329 batting average with two homers and 34 RBI.

Other returning players include outfielder Josh Weaver (.366, 1 HR, 15 RBI), catcher Brian Whartnaby (.323, 1 HR, 19 RBI) and first baseman Danny Pyne (.301, 1 HR, 26 RBI).

While the offensive has been eye-catching, Driggers believes that Wheaton's success will be tied to the pitching staff in 2010.

“Pitching is always the key to any championship team,” Driggers said. “We have increased our pitchers to 13 total this year. Last year, we weren't as deep. Especially in those weeks when we'll have five games in a week, we'll be able to throw an arm out there that can get a win for us. If our pitchers can hold down the walks and be competitive, we have a good chance.”

The starting rotation features the one-two punch of Tim Urbanowicz and Dennison. Urbanowicz, a 6-foot-4 fireballing right-hander, was the workhorse of the staff last year. The senior earned First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-Region with an 8-2 record, a 4.88 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 72 innings. The 6-foot-7 lefty Dennison displayed his talent as well, earning Third Team All-Region with a 3-3 record, four complete games and 60 strikeouts in 57-1/3 innings.

Senior righty John Little started eight of his 10 games, going 4-1 with a 5.14 ERA, two complete games and one save in 49 innings of work on the mound. The Thunder will be looking to replace graduated closer Ed McCaskey, who set a school-record with five saves to go with his team-low 4.30 ERA.

The Thunder also bring in seven new freshman and two sophomores this season. “Trey Martin has a chance to start for us as a freshman, both in the field and on the mound,” Driggers said. “Even though we have all our outfielders back, we have a very talented outfielder in Eric Albaugh. He's a good athlete who swings the bat well. He also has the ability to pitch if his arm holds up. We have a big 6-foot-5 right-hander, Jimmy McDonald, that has the ability if he can compete with strikes and stay ahead of hitters. Drew Golz is coming over from the soccer team and was a very highly recruited baseball player out of high school. He's a pitcher and an outfielder, and he brings a lot of ability with him. Those guys can all have an impact on what we're doing.”

The accumulation and development of talent has gotten Wheaton to the threshold of a competing for a conference championship and a bid to the national tournament. The Thunder's 13-7 record in the CCIW last year was the most conference victories in school history. To take the next step up to the national stage, Wheaton's head coach wants his team to distinguish the difference between belief and conviction.

“We can't read our clippings and those kinds of things,” Driggers said. “But do we believe that we belong? No one on our team believes we don't belong. The difference is, are you convicted to stand up for your belief? Those convictions turn into a work ethic, a team chemistry, putting the team in front of personal goals. That's how I've tried to challenge this team is to have a good work ethic, to sacrifice for each other, to trust one another, and play the game with passion and let the chips fall where they may.”

Defending conference champion Carthage College (38-9, 18-1 in 2009) is predicted to win the CCIW again according to the preseason CCIW coaches poll. The Red Men advanced to the 2009 NCAA Division III Baseball Championship. They are followed in the poll by Illinois Wesleyan (24-16, 14-7), Wheaton, Augustana (23-17, 10-10), North Central (11-25-1, 7-13-1), North Park (18-20, 8-13), Millikin (10-20-1, 4-12-1) and Elmhurst (13-23, 4-15).

“What has brought us into the top four right now is that we have been consistent over the past few years,” Driggers said. “We haven't let our highs get too high or our lows get too low. There are no weak teams in this conference. If you don't show up on any given day, anybody in this conference can beat you. It doesn't matter who you are.”