Coming into a successful Southern Connecticut State University baseball program as a freshman, A.J. Turnier had modest goals.

Basically, he just wanted a chance to play.

He's done far more than that.

Turnier, who won a state championship at New London High School, is heading to the NCAA Division II College World Series as a contributing member of one of the best pitching staffs in the nation, owners of a remarkable 1.83 earned run average.

"It's just unbelievable to realize that I'm going to the World Series as a freshman," said Turnier who's from Waterford.

Eighth-ranked SCSU (43-7-1) opens World Series play today, facing top-ranked West Florida at Carey, N.C.

The Owls traveled a bumpy route to the program's second World Series appearance, emerging out of the losers' bracket to win the East Region in Rindge, N.H.

Both Turnier and Chris Zbin, a junior from Bacon Academy, helped rally the Owls, who swept Adelphi in the championship round. Zbin pitched eight strong innings of three-hit ball and Turnier went the last inning in a 9-1 win to force a deciding game.

The Owls celebrated the East Region title win by jumping in the cold water of a nearby pond near the Franklin Pierce baseball field. The stirring victory fueled their confidence.

"My mindset going down there is to keep this thing going and keep winning," Zbin said.

Zbin is enjoying a career season, going 10-2 with an impressive 1.30 earned run average. He was a semifinalist for the Tino Martinez award for the top Division II player in the country.

A left-handed starter, Zbin has mastered his control and opposing batters, allowing just 77 hits in 104 innings while striking out 109 and walking just 27. A sharp curveball is his out pitch. He's the program's all-time strikeout leader with 257 and tied for third in wins (22). He also earning All-Northeast-10 Conference first team honors.

"Last year I thought I had a great year," said Zbin who went 7-2 with a 2.49 earned run average in 2010. "This year I got down to 1.30. It's amazing how much has changed since last year. I feel like my location has been a lot better and I'm just trying to get batters out instead trying to strike batters out."

The SCSU coaching staff also has shown confidence in Turnier who's tied for second on the team in appearances with 16, all but two out of the bullpen. He's responded with a 6-1 record and 3.40 earned run average in mostly a set-up role.

Since his New London days, he's added about six miles per hour to his fastball, bringing it to about 90, to go with a tricky slider.

"It's amazing," Turnier said. "Coming in here, I didn't know if I would pitch that much but I got in a lot of games. I've had to relief guys in tough situation. ... The coaches have trust in me to put me in the game."

Two former Avery Point players also are key players for the Owls. Junior infielder Kyle Cummings, who played for the NJCAA Division II national championship runnerup last season, is tied for third in batting average (.300). He's started all 51 games and belted a game-tying solo home run - only his second this season - in the 2-1 regional championship-clinching win over Adelphi.

Cummings was the first Pointer to earn All-American honors in the classroom and on the baseball field.

"I don't know if he was our MVP last year but he was close to it," Avery Point coach Roger Bidwell said. "He was an All-American for us. He was a great student and one of our all-time good guys and players. … I knew he would step in and do well."

Another graduate of Bidwell's program, senior Mike Johnston (2-1, 1.32), has developed into a reliable closer, leading the team in saves with a single season school record 14. He's allowed just 21 hits in 34 innings, striking out 39 and walking six.

With the heart of the team returning next season, the Owls may make a habit of reaching the World Series.

Turnier and Zbin plan to take full advantage of this trip.

"Definitely, my adrenalin will be pumping," Turnier said. "I don't think I'll be nervous at all. I think it will be a great experience for me. … If I do get in a game, I'm going to do my best."

g.keefe@theday.com