Eagles picked to finish third in SAC preseason baseball poll
Jan. 28, 2009
ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Carson-Newman has been picked to finish third in the 2009 South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, league officials announced Wednesday.
The Eagles, which are coming off a 43-18 season and an appearance in the NCAA South Regional in 2008, received 63 points.
C-N also had the second most selections on the preseason All-SAC squads with five. Junior first baseman Derek Long (Jefferson City, Tenn.) and senior outfielder Tyler Wynn (LaGrange, Ga.) were named first team. Junior right-handed pitcher Wes McIntyre (Chattanooga, Tenn.), senior right-handed relief pitcher Corbin Ariail (Elgin, S.C.) and junior shortstop Mills Rogers (Simpsonville, S.C.) were selected to the second team.
Long, a 2008 All-SAC second team selection, batted .352 for the Eagles last season with eight doubles, three triples, two home runs, 35 RBI and 44 runs scored.
Wynn wrapped up last season with a .358 batting average and was able to produce 12 doubles, three triples, five home runs, 33 RBI and 42 runs scored.
McIntyre made 15 appearances for the Eagles in 2008, going 6-2 with a 4.07 ERA. He finished with 31 strikeouts in 55.1 innings pitched.
Ariail led the Eagles in saves (six) and appearances (24) last season. He went 3-5 with a 3.27 ERA and struck out 39 batters in 52.1 innings of work.
Rogers started in all 61 games for C-N in 2008, batting .286 with nine doubles, three home runs, 38 RBI and 42 runs scored.
Tusculum College is the favorite to win the 2009 SAC championship. The Pioneers received six first-place votes and 76 total points in the preseason poll.
The Pioneers baseball team is listed No. 22 in the country according to the 2009 Collegiate Baseball Magazine NCAA Division II Preseason Poll. Tusculum returns its top three pitchers, along with four starting field players from last season's 41-15 squad that won the 2008 Food Lion SAC Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year and fourth time in six seasons.
Four Pioneers players were selected on the preseason All-Conference team. Pitcher Raymond Ruggles, who finished last season with a 1.62 ERA, pitcher Boo Morrow, who had a 7-0 pitching record with a 2.00 ERA in the 2008 season and outfielder Ricky Feliz were named to the first team. Pitcher C.J. Hillyer was named to the second team.
Catawba College is picked to finish second. The Indians won the 2008 regular season SAC championship and received three first place votes and 70 total points.
The Indians have the most preseason All-Conference selections with seven selections. Pitcher Blake Ketner, who finished with a 3.34 ERA last year, pitcher Tim Holmes, shortstop Chris Ahearn, third baseman Craig Lyerly, who batted .390 last season, and designated hitter Brett Hatley were selected to the first team All-Conference team. Catcher Ryan Query and pitcher Alex Fairweather were named to the second team.
Wingate University was picked to finish fourth after receiving 49 points. The Bulldogs are heading into their second season with head coach Allen Osborn. Designated hitter Kevin Childs was named preseason second team All-Conference.
Newberry College is sixth in the preseason poll with 34 points. They return pitching ace Josh McElwee, who led the league in strikeouts last year with 104 and a 4.00 ERA. Also returning for Newberry is second team outfielder Phillip Bartz.
Lincoln Memorial University is picked to finish seventh. The Railsplitters received 30 points. They return pitchers Mitch Kramer, who finished tenth in the league with 51 strikeouts and a 4.80 ERA, and Steven Starbird who finished last year with a 6-3 record.
Mars Hill College was picked to finish eighth in the preseason poll after receiving 27 points. Catcher Mike Dobre and second baseman Brian Williams were named first team. Third baseman Corry DiBiase and outfielder Brandon Savoca were named second team.
Brevard rounds out the preseason poll receiving ten points.
The 2009 baseball season begins February 1 with a number of games - Tusculum at Barton; Carson-Newman at Augusta State; Limestone at Newberry; Wingate at USC Aiken; Mars Hill at Belmont Abbey; LMU at Lander and Pfeiffer at Lenior-Rhyne.
The 2009 Food Lion SAC Baseball Tournament will be April 23-26 at Wingate University. The tournament winner will receive an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
