Feb. 3, 2010

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Lamar sophomore pitcher Eric Harrington, the 2009 Southland Conference Freshman of the Year, headlines the 2010 preseason all-conference team, as released by the league office.

A first-team all-conference pick a season ago, Harrington was 8-1 and led the Southland with a 3.01 ERA. He led the team with 83.2 innings pitched and recorded 63 strikeouts.

Other first-team all-conference selections returning from last season include junior second baseman Braeden Riley of Sam Houston State, senior third baseman Lance Brown of UTSA and junior outfielder Michael Choice of UT Arlington.

Players who earned first and second-team all-conference honors in 2009 automatically receive preseason honors. Third-team postseason selections moved into vacated positions on the first and second preseason teams. The remaining spots were filled in voting by the league’s head coaches.

The season begins on Feb. 19, with conference play starting March 5. For the second straight year, the Southland Tournament will be at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, Texas. The dates are May 26-29.

2010 Preseason All-Southland Conference Teams

First Team

1B Trey Hernandez, Jr., Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

2B Braeden Riley*, Jr., Sam Houston State

3B Lance Brown*, Sr., UTSA

SS Trent Grondin*, Sr., Northwestern State

OF Michael Choice*, Jr., UT Arlington

OF Tyler Sibley*, So., Texas State

OF Bret Atwood*, Jr., Texas State

C Chad Comer, Jr., UT Arlington

DH Brett Aguilar, Jr., UTSA

P Eric Harrington*, So., Lamar

P Rett Varner, Jr., UT Arlington

P Dallas Gallant, Jr., Sam Houston State

Second Team

1B Kyle Livingstone, Sr., Texas State

2B Ryan Hutson*, Jr., UTSA

3B Chase Lyles, Sr., Northwestern State

SS Jason Martinson, Jr., Texas State

OF Lee Orr*, So., McNeese State

OF Scott Moseley, Sr., Nicholls State

OF Cass Hargis, Jr., Southeastern Louisiana

C Josh Cryer, Jr., Southeastern Louisiana

DH Wade Mathis, Jr., Lamar

P Chris Franklin, Sr., Southeastern Louisiana

P Matt Shelton, Jr., Sam Houston State

P Chad Sheppard, So., Northwestern State

*Automatic selection as 2009 all-conference performer