FROM CONFERENCE PRESS RELEASE
College of Charleston, 2007 Southern Conference regular-season co-champion, is the favorite to win the 2008 crown according to a vote of the league’s coaches. The Cougars picked up five of a possible 10 first place votes and finished with a total of 86 votes.
Western Carolina, which tied College of Charleston for the regular-season title last season, gets the nod for second place after earning three first-place votes and 77 total votes. Georgia Southern received two first-place votes from the coaches and amassed 70 total votes for third place. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams or players.
Elon received 68 total votes for fourth place. The Citadel edged Appalachian State, 55-54, for fifth and sixth places with UNC Greensboro close behind with 51 votes. Defending tournament champion Wofford is picked for eighth place with 33 votes followed by Furman (27 votes) and Davidson (19 votes).
Western Carolina had a total of six players (three first-team and three second-team) named to the preseason All-Southern Conference team. Appalachian State had four players honored (three first-team and one second-team) while The Citadel (one first-team and two second-team), Georgia Southern (one first-team and two second-team) and Wofford (one first-team and two second-team) had three players each earned preseason recognition. College of Charleston (one first-team and one second-team) and Elon (one first-team and one second-team) landed two players apiece on the all-conference team while UNC Greensboro had one player named to the first-team all-league squad.
Southern Conference play begins on Friday, Feb. 22 when all 10 league teams open the season.
Southern Conference Preseason Coaches Baseball Poll
1. College of Charleston (5) 86
2. Western Carolina (3) 77
3. Georgia Southern (2) 70
4. Elon 68
5. The Citadel 55
6. Appalachian State 54
7. UNC Greensboro 51
8. Wofford 33
9. Furman 27
10. Davidson 19
First place votes in parenthesis. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team.
First Team
Catcher- Blake Murphy (WCU)
First Base- Jeremiah Parker (GSU)
Second Base- Tim Carrier (UNCG)
Shortstop- Michael Gilmartin (WOF)
Third Base- Isaac Harrow (ASU)
Outfield- Michael Harrington (COFC)
Outfield- Chris Swauger (CIT)
Outfield- Barrett Shaft (WCU)
Designated Hitter- Andrew Franco (ASU)
Pitcher- Drew Saberhagen (WCU)
Pitcher-Steven Hensley (Elon)
Relief Pitcher- Garrett Sherrill (ASU)
Second Team
Catcher- Richard Jones (CIT)
First Base- Michael Kohn (COFC)
Second Base- Shane Kirkley (WOF)
Shortstop- Jason Altenhof (ASU)
Third Base- Nick Liles (WCU)
Outfield- Sonny Meade (CIT)
Outfield- Chris Shehan (GSU)
Outfield- Pat Irvine (Elon)
Designated Hitter- Kyle Blackburn (GSU)
Pitcher- Ben Austin (WOF)
Pitcher- Tyler Sexton (WCU)
Relief Pitcher- Chris Masters (WCU)
