Jan. 23, 2002

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - - Samford placed two players on the 2002 Atlantic Sun Preseason All-Conference Team and the Bulldogs were picked to finish seventh in the coaches poll and eighth in the media poll as announced by the Atlantic Sun office on Wednesday. Defending champion and preseason favorite UCF placed two players on the preseason team and was picked to finish first in both the coaches and media polls.

Junior outfielder and Birmingham-native Robert Evans (Vestavia Hills HS) and senior Major Allred (McAdory HS) represent the Bulldogs on the preseason all conference team. It is the first time Samford had two players selected to the team. Evans hit a team-best .376 with 16 doubles and six home runs in 2001. Allred was selected as the designated hitter. He batted .295 with six home runs and 25 RBI in 2001.

Samford was picked to finish eighth by the coaches. The Bulldogs received 46 points and one first place vote. UCF, Stetson, Jacksonville, Florida Atlantic, Campbell, Troy State and Mercer were picked ahead of the Bulldogs.

The media picked the Bulldogs one place higher in its poll. Samford's projected seventh place finish put the Bulldogs ahead of Georgia State, Belmont, Mercer and Jacksonville State.UCF received 11 first place votes in the media poll followed by Stetson, Florida Atlantic, Jacksonville, Campbell and Troy State.

UCF and Stetson are the co-favorites to capture the tournament championship in the coaches poll while the Golden Knights are the media favorite to win the tournament.

Stetson led all teams with four players selected to the preseason team. Florida Atlantic, Jacksonville and UCF joined Samford with two players selected. Jacksonville senior Chad Oliva earned A-Sun Preseason Player of the Year honors after being named to the all-conference and all-tournament teams last season.

Samford opens the regular season on Feb. 8 at home game against VMI. The Bulldogs first conference game will be at home against Stetson on March 15.