Feb. 8, 2013

SWAC Preseason Coaches' Poll

Todman, Rosa, Russell headline All-SWAC Teams

Elias Todman (left) of Grambling State was named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Angel Rosa of Alcorn State was Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and Desmond Russell of Jackson State was Preseason Pitcher of the Year in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, in voting by the league’s head coach and sports information directors as released by the conference office.

Todman batted .344 a season ago, second in the SWAC. He had nine doubles, three triples, two homers and 43 RBI.

Rosa was Second Team All-SWAC in 2012. He started 47 of 48 games and posted a fielding percentage of .906. Rosa hit .292 with 10 doubles, 23 runs and 30 RBI.

Russell was Second Team All-SWAC a season ago, going 10-2 and leading the league with a 2.34 ERA. He was second in the conference with 107.2 innings and eight complete games while finishing third with 86 strikeouts. He is a Preseason All-American.

The 2013 campaign begins on Friday, Feb. 15, with conference play kicking off the weekend of March.2-3. Alabama State visits Alcorn State to highlight that weekend. The SWAC Tournament will be played May 15-19.

2013 Preseason All-SWAC Team

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Elias Todman, Grambling State

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Angel Rosa, Alcorn State

Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Desmond Russell, Jackson State

First Team
SP *Desmond Russell, Jackson State, Jr.
SP #Jose Deleon, Southern, Jr.
RP Stephen Lunsford, Prairie View A&M, Sr.
C *Richard Gonzalez, Alabama State, So.
1B #Derrick Hopkins, Southern, Sr.
2B #Elias Todman, Grambling State, Sr.
SS *Angel Rosa, Alcorn State, Jr.
3B Brad Benes, Prairie View A&M, Sr.
OF *Darren Farmer, Grambling State, Sr.
OF #D.J. Wallace, Southern, Jr.
OF Richard Amion, Alabama State, So.
DH Jordan Boston, Alcorn State, Jr.

Second Team
SP *Matt Mitchell, Grambling State, Sr.
SP Stef Hernandez, Prairie View A&M, Sr.
RP Ryan Fuentes, Alcorn State, Jr.
C Jose Longoria, Grambling State, Sr.
1B Tyler Flanagan, Texas Southern, Sr.
2B Edmund Cheatham, Mississippi Valley State, Sr.
SS Luke Brumfield, Mississippi Valley State, Sr.
3B Hector Mejias, Grambling State, Sr.
OF Kris Minter, Grambling State, Jr.
OF Aneko Knowles, Jackson State, Jr.
OF #Brian Rowry, Southern, Jr.
DH Malcolm Tate, Jackson State, Sr.

#2012 First Team All-SWAC
*2012 Second Team All-SWAC

(photo courtesy of Grambling State Media Relations)