Friday, January 26, 2001

2001 SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE PRESEASON 
ALL-CONFERENCE BASEBALL TEAMS ANNOUNCED

ROCK HILL, SC – The Lenoir-Rhyne Bears, picked earlier as the favorite to win the 2001 South Atlantic Conference baseball title, placed five players on the Preseason All-Conference baseball team, announced today from the conference office.

Leading the way is senior right-handed pitcher Michael Clontz, one of two members of last year’s First Team All-SAC squad to repeat on this year’s preseason team. Clontz was 9-3 last season. The Bears also had three other players on the first team, and two on the second team.

Third baseman Jarred Caputo was a second team selection last season, as was shortstop Craig Sizemore. Sizemore led the SAC in batting last season, hitting .405, and drove in 52 runs. Caputo batted .385, the fourth-highest average in the SAC last season. Junior outfielder Israel Campbell, who batted .353 with eight home runs and 40 RBI, was also named to the first team.

Campbell made the second team as a pitcher. He was 8-3 with a 3.34 ERA on the mound last season for the Bears. First baseman William Combs, who batted .379 with 11 home runs, also made the second team.

Presbyterian placed three members on the first team and two on the second. Pitchers Mike Burns (7-3) and Mike Noble (league-high 12 saves) were on the first team, while Mark Dudley (5-2) was named to the second team. The Blue Hose also were represented by second baseman Brad Hurst on the first team and designated hitter Brian Prahl on the second team.

Wingate had a pair of first-team selections in pitcher Robert Stover and catcher James Jordan. Sophomore catcher/designated hitter John Spencer, pitcher Louie Mitcham (8-3, 8 saves) and second baseman Stuart James were named to the second team.

Representing Catawba are first baseman Travis Goins and outfielder Curt Motsinger on the first team, and third baseman Todd Smith and outfielder Israel Morrow on the second. Motsinger had 12 home runs last season, while Goins was third in the conference with a .392 batting average.

Carson-Newman designated hitter Heath Mason is the other first-team repeater. Mason hit .380 last year. Outfielder Aaron Shaffer, who made the second team, also represents the Eagles.

Newberry outfielder Kyle Sherrill made the first team. Mars Hill placed shortstop Nick Philemon on the second team.

Tusculum was not represented.

2001 ALL-SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE 
PRESEASON BASEBALL TEAMS

FIRST TEAM

 
SECOND TEAM

Back to Baseball