Jan. 14, 2005

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Baseball America recently released its preseason conference rankings and All-Conference teams. Samford was picked to finish fifth in the Ohio Valley Conference, and two Samford players were named to the preseason All-Conference team.

Junior right fielder Matt Alling and junior right-handed pitcher Stephen Artz were named to the preseason All-Conference team by the publication as well. Alling led Samford in hitting with a .386 average last season. He also led the team in hits (86), triples (7) and RBI (48). Artz led the OVC in strikeouts in 2004. He posted a record of 6-5 and a 3.70 ERA.

Artz and sophomore right-handed pitcher Joseph Edens were also named the top prospects from the OVC for the 2005 and 2006 Major League Baseball drafts, respectively. Last season, Edens led the team in wins with an 8-5 record and in ERA at 3.49.

Samford opens the 2005 baseball season on February 15, when the Bulldogs play at Georgia State. The first pitch for the game is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.