CofC Picked To Win Baseball Title By SoCon Coaches
2/12/2008 5:00:00 AM | Baseball
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.
Outfielder Michael Harrington earned first team All-Southern Conference preseason honors after hitting .364 with 13 homers and 66 RBI last season. First baseman Michael Kohn, who hit. 312 with nine homers and 42 RBI in 2007, earned second team honors.
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, respectively, 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).
The Cougars, who were 39-19 overall and 20-7 in league play last season, open the season on Friday, Feb. 22 when they play host to George Mason at 5:15.
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)
