Feb. 10, 2012

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Bermudez and Ray take top preseason honors in Sun Belt

FIU senior outfielder Pablo Bermudez (left) was named Preseason Player of the Year and senior starter Tyler Ray was tabbed Preseason Pitcher of the Year in the Sun Belt Conference in a vote of the league’s head coaches and released by the conference office.

Bermudez was Co-Player of the Year in the Sun Belt in 2011, when he led the league with a batting average of .373.

Ray (right) went 12-0 a season ago with a 2.39 ERA and was named Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year.

FIU had four players on the Preseason All-Sun Belt team, as Bermudez was joined by senior first baseman Mike Martinez, junior DH Rudy Flores and junior reliever Mason McVay.

Florida Atlantic was next with three selections: senior reliever Hugh Adams, senior catcher Mike Albaladejo and senior outfielder Alex Hudak.

The season kicks off on Friday, Feb. 17, with all 10 teams in action. Conference play begins the weekend of March 16-18 with five league series. The top eight teams will advance to the 2012 Sun Belt Championship from May 23-27 at the Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Ky.

2012 Preseason All-Sun Belt Team

SP Tyler Ray, Troy, Senior

SP Justin Hageman, Western Kentucky, Sophomore

SP Tanner Perkins, Western Kentucky, Junior

RP Hugh Adams, Florida Atlantic, Senior

RP Mason McVay, FIU, Junior

C Mike Albaladejo, Florida Atlantic, Senior

1B Mike Martinez, FIU, Senior

2B Caleb Clowers, ULM, Senior

2B Logan Kirkland, South Alabama, Sophomore

SS Tyler Hannah, Troy, Senior

3B Hank LaRue, Middle Tennessee, Sophomore

OF Alex Hudak, Florida Atlantic, Senior

OF Pablo Bermudez, FIU, Senior

OF Justin Guidry, Middle Tennessee, Senior

DH Rudy Flores, FIU, Junior

Preseason Player of the Year: Pablo Bermudez, FIU, Senior, OF

Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Tyler Ray, Troy, Senior, SP

(photos courtesy of FIU & Troy Media Relations Offices)