BLUE HOSE BASEBALL RECEIVES VOTES FOR NATIONAL RANKING AND KEVIN WHITE NAMED PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
CLINTON, S.C. – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America (NCBWA) selected the preseason top-25 with Presbyterian receiving six votes for honorable mention. Junior outfielder Kevin White (Spartanburg, SC) was also selected to the 13 member pre-season All-American Team.
The Blue Hose are coming off a 27-30 overall record in the 2002 campaign with a 12-9 mark in the South Atlantic Conference, good for 2nd place finish in the conference. This year the Blue Hose will face off against pre-season #1 Kennesaw State, #8 North Florida, #10 Florida Southern, and #22 Valdosta State. With a strong group of returning players and some excellent new recruits the Blue Hose and head coach Doug Kovash look to improve on last year's record. Other SAC schools receiving votes were Carson-Newman with 36 and Catawba with one.
White was honored as a “Player to Watch” by the NCBWA. Last season the 6-2, 180 lb outfielder batted .425 with 18 doubles, 18 homeruns, 72 RBI’s and a .802 slugging percentage. Last year he was selected to the 1st team All-SAC, SAC All-Tournament Team, 1st team ABCA/Rawlings All-Region, NCBWA South Region “Player of the Year,” and 2nd team ABCA All-American team.
The baseball season kicks off in less than a month when the Blue Hose travel to Jacksonville, FL to participate in the University of North Florida Invitational on February 1.
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE BASEBALL WRITERS OF AMERICA
DIVISION II PRESEASON POLL|
Rank, School |
Votes
Received |
Rank, School |
Votes
Received |
|
First
Place Votes in Parentheses |
|||
|
1. Kennesaw State |
(11)
746 |
14. Alabama-Huntsville |
351 |
|
2. Cal State Chico |
(6)
738 |
15. Rollins |
311 |
|
3. Columbus State |
(9)
683 |
16. Mesa State |
300 |
|
4. Central Missouri |
680 |
T-17. Dallas Baptist |
277 |
|
5. Abilene Christian |
(1)
647 |
T-17. South Carolina-Aiken |
277 |
|
6. Tampa |
(1)
604 |
19. Central Oklahoma |
273 |
|
7. Delta State |
599 |
20. Southern Colorado |
123 |
|
8. North Florida |
546 |
21. Cal State-San Bernandino |
121 |
|
9. Ashland |
506 |
22. Valdosta State |
107 |
|
10. Florida Southern |
499 |
23. Mansfield |
97 |
|
11. U Mass-Lowell |
420 |
24. Grand Canyon |
93 |
|
12. Southern Arkansas |
399 |
25. Northern Kentucky |
83 |
|
13. Georgia College & State |
355 |
|
|
Also receiving votes: Kutztown 82, Southeastern Oklahoma 68, Pittsburgh State 65, Fort Hays State 53, North Alabama 50, Slippery Rock 49, Carson Newman 36, Shepherd 32, Bryant 30, Armstrong Atlantic 26, Saginaw Valley 25, Concordia, NY 24, SIU-Edwardsville 23, Saint Rose 12, Nebraska-Omaha 8, Franklin Pierce and Presbyterian 6 each, Rockhurst and Saint Leo 5 each, Incarnate Word and Southern Connecticut State 3 each, Belmont Abbey 2, Catawba 1 and Southwest State (MN) 1 each.
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE BASEBALL WRITERS OF AMERICA
DIVISION II “PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS”| Pitchers | School | Shortstop | School |
| Brian Baker | Columbus State | Noel Sauceda | Tarleton State |
| Brandon Buford | Southern Arkansas | Third baseman | |
| Mike Peschel | North Dakota State | Andy Dillard | Delta State |
| Catcher | Outfielders | ||
| Andrew Ginther | Columbus State | Creighton Bryan | Abilene Christian |
| First baseman | Mike Spry | Shepherd | |
| Jeff Renga | Bryant | Kevin White | Presbyterian |
| Second baseman | Designated hitter | ||
| Jerod Fikac | Incarnate Word | Jason Manwaring | Mansfield |
Other players to watch: Pitchers – Erin Jones (Francis Marion), Jaymie Russ (Belmont Abbey) and Joey Watts (Tampa). Catchers – Charlie Drummond (Shepherd) and Joey Reiman (Grand Canyon). Infielders – 2B Bill Bertrand (Assumption) and 1B Chad Fox (Southeastern Oklahoma). Outfielders – Jason Cloar (Rollins) and Josh Cobb (Belmont Abbey).