Baseball Picked 5th in USA South Preseason Baseball Poll January 24, 2004
FAYETTEVILLE, NC - The USA South Athletic Conference has announced the results of its 2004 baseball pre-season poll and Averett has been picked to finish first this season. The Cougars won the Conference tournament in 2003. Christopher Newport has been predicted to finish second in 2004. The Captains advanced to the Division III Championship game and were named National Runners-Up last year. The 2004 USA South baseball season kicks off February 7.
The poll is voted on by the baseball coach at each school. Each school was not allowed to vote for its own team. Averett received five first place votes, followed by Christopher Newport with two and Ferrum with one.
Chowan was picked to finish 5th this season after finishing 6th in the league a season ago with a 20-20 overall record and a 5-7 conference record. The Braves return two all conference players in juniors Nick Hagler (Timberlake, NC/Person HS) and Brandon Howlin (Va Beach, VA/Green Run). Hagler shattered the school’s single season stolen base record with 42 on the year, ranking him second in the league in that category. Head Coach Steve Flack, in his ninth season (154-147-2) as the Braves skipper, will lead his young but talented team into the 2004 campaign on Febuary 8th when they host NCAA Division II Coker College at 1:00pm.
The 2004 USA South Baseball Pre-Season Poll follows (first place votes):
