Jan. 25, 2011

click here for coaches' CAA preseason poll

Senior outfielder Mark Micowski (right) of Georgia State was named CAA preseason Player of the Year in voting by the league’s head coaches and released by the conference office.

Micowski, a first-team all-CAA selection in 2010, batted .392 with five homers and 40 RBI a year ago. He led the conference with 69 runs and was tied for second with 91 hits.

Two other Panthers also received all-CAA preseason nods in senior outfielder Ryan Fleming and junior third baseman Brandon Williams.

Preseason favorite James Madison also had three players recognized: senior second baseman Trevor Knight, senior shortstop David Herbek and junior catcher Jake Lowery.

The 2011 season kicks off on Friday, Feb. 18. The top four teams will compete in the 2011 CAA Baseball Championship. The double-elimination event will be held May 26-28 at Brooks Field in Wilmington, N.C.

2011 CAA Preseason All-Conference Team

Pos. Name, School, Class (2010 stats)

C Jake Lowery, James Madison, Jr. (.285, 8 HR, 41 RBI)

1B Brent Mikionis, VCU, Jr. (.343, 11 HR, 54 RBI)

2B Trevor Knight, James Madison, Sr. (.360, 13 HR, 45 RBI, 15 SB)

SS David Herbek, James Madison, Sr. (.304, 7 HR, 47 RBI, 13 SB)

3B Brandon Williams, Georgia State, Jr. (.408, 10 HR, 73 RBI)

OF Pat Dameron, Delaware, Sr. (.353, 14 HR, 59 RBI)

OF Ryan Fleming, Georgia State, Sr. (.375, 13 HR, 59 RBI)

OF Mark Micowski, Georgia State, Sr. (.392, 5 HR, 40 RBI, 17 SB)

UT Brig Tison, George Mason, Jr. (.367, 3 HR, 33 RBI, 15 SB)

DH Shane Davis, George Mason, Sr. (.283, 9 HR, 45 RBI)

SP Matt Davenport, William & Mary, Jr. (8-2, 1.96 ERA, 88 K)

SP Kyle Hald, Old Dominion, Sr. (8-4, 2.79 ERA, 95 K)

RP Jonathan Watson, VCU, Sr. (4-2, 2.51 ERA, 53 K)

CAA Preseason Player of the Year: Mark Micowski, Georgia State

Honorable Mention (players receiving multiple votes):  Chris Forsten, C, William and Mary; Chris Baker, 1B, Old Dominion; Hunter Ridge, 1B, UNC Wilmington; Steve Ulaky, 1B, Delaware; Rob Lind, 2B, Georgia State; Nick Natoli, SS, Towson; Chris Wychock, 3B, Towson; Alex Foltz, OF, James Madison, Ben Winter, OF, Towson; Justin Malone, UT, Georgia State; Taylor Perkins, UT, VCU; Joey Wood, DH, Georgia State; Seth Cutler-Voltz, SP, VCU; Andrew Leenhouts, SP, Northeastern; John Farrell, RP, William & Mary

(photo courtesy of GSU Media Relations Office)