Feb. 8, 2012

Coaches pick College of Charleston in SoCon poll

The College of Charleston narrowly edged Georgia Southern to claim the top spot in the Southern Conference Preseason Poll, in voting by the league’s head coaches and as released by the conference office.

The Cougars picked up six first-place votes and totaled 93 points, one ahead of the Eagles. Georgia Southern received four first-place votes. Samford secured the remaining first-place vote and took third with 83 points, followed by Elon, Appalachian State, Western Carolina, UNC Greensboro, The Citadel, Furman, Wofford and Davidson.

In the media poll, Georgia Southern received 20 of 25 first-place votes and 269 points to finish ahead of College of Charleston, with three first-place votes and 246 points.

The Cougars return their entire starting pitching, as well as all-conference outfielders Daniel Aldrich and Marty Gantt.

The Eagles won the 2011 SoCon Tournament and reached the NCAA tourney for the second time in three years. Georgia Southern’s offense will be paced by All-American Victor Roache, while righty Chris Beck, the 2011 SoCon tourney Most Outstanding Player, leads the pitching staff.

The 2012 campaign begins on Friday, Feb. 17 with all 11 teams taking the field. Conference play starts the weekend of March 2-4 with Elon traveling to College of Charleston. The 2012 Southern Conference Championship will be May 23-27 at Fluor Field in Greenville, S.C.

2012 SoCon Preseason Coaches Poll

Team, Points (First Place) (2011 SoCon, Overall Records)

1. College of Charleston, 93 (6) (18-12, 39-22)

2. Georgia Southern, 92 (4) (18-12, 36-26)

3. Samford, 83 (1) (18-12, 37-23)

4. Elon, 76 (23-7, 36-21)

5. Appalachian State, 62 (15-15, 33-27)

6. Western Carolina, 51 (12-18, 23-31-1)

7. UNC Greensboro, 50 (22-8, 34-20)

8. The Citadel, 33 (8-22, 20-36)

9. Furman, 32 (13-16, 24-33)

10. Wofford, 18 (9-21, 22-33)

11. Davidson, 15 (8-21, 18-30)

2012 SoCon Preseason Media Poll

Team, Points (First Place) (2011 SoCon, Overall Records)

1. Georgia Southern, 269 (20) (18-12, 36-26)

2. College of Charleston, 246 (3) (18-12, 39-22)

3. Elon, 220 (2) (23-7, 36-21)

4. Samford, 198 (18-12, 37-23)

5. UNC Greensboro, 150 (22-8, 34-20)

6. Appalachian State, 149 (15-15, 33-27)

7. Western Carolina, 130 (12-18, 23-31-1)

8. The Citadel, 112 (8-22, 20-36)

9. Furman, 86 (13-16, 24-33)

10. Wofford, 55 (9-21, 22-33)

11. Davidson, 35 (8-21, 18-30)