Feb. 10, 2011

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Samford sophomore pitcher Lex Rutledge was named to the Southern Conference's Preseason Second-Team All-Conference Team, when the league released its preseason awards on Thursday. The league also released its coaches and media preseason poll, and Samford was picked seventh in both polls.

Rutledge, who will start the season as Samford's Friday starting pitcher, is coming off a stellar freshman season in which he served as the team's closer. Rutledge tied a Samford record with 11 saves in 2010. He posted a record of 5-1 and an ERA of 1.71.

Cole Rakar from College of Charleston was named the SoCon's Preseason Player of the Year, while The Citadel's Matt Talley was named the league's Preseason Pitcher of the Year.

In the Preseason Coaches Poll, College of Charleston was tabbed as the favorite to win the league. Elon and Georgia Southern tied for second in the poll, followed by Western Carolina, The Citadel, Appalachian State, Samford, Furman, UNC Greensboro, Wofford and Davidson.

The SoCon media also picked College of Charleston as the preseason favorite. The Citadel was picked second and Elon third. Georgia Southern was picked fourth, followed by Western Carolina, Appalachian State, Samford, Furman, Wofford, UNC Greensboro and Davidson.

The full Preseason All-Conference teams and Preseason Coaches and Media Polls are listed below.

2011 SoCon Baseball Preseason All-Conference Team

Player of the Year - Cole Rakar, Sr., OF, College of Charleston
Pitcher of the Year - Matt Talley, Sr., LHP, The Citadel

First Team
SP Matt Talley, The Citadel
SP Matt Benedict, Western Carolina
RP Casey Lucchese, College of Charleston
C Rob Kral, College of Charleston
1B Jose Rodriguez, College of Charleston
2B Ross Heffley, Western Carolina
SS Neal Pritchard, Elon
3B Matt Leeds, College of Charleston
OF Cole Raker, College of Charleston
OF Shawn Payne, Georgia Southern
OF Matt Johns, Western Carolina
DH Mac Doyle, Wofford

Second Team
SP Lex Rutledge, Samford
SP David Peterson, College of Charleston
RP Brandon Johnson, Western Carolina
C Jeremy Dowdy, Appalachian State
1B Danny Weiss, Davidson
1B (tie) Justin Mackert, The Citadel
2B Will Muzika, Furman
SS Eric Phillips, Georgia Southern
3B Andrew Barna, Davidson
OF Nick Orvin, The Citadel
OF James Foster, Wofford
OF Will Owens, Furman
DH Brad Felder, The Citadel

2011 SoCon Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. College of Charleston (10) 100
2t. Elon 81
2t. Georgia Southern 81
4. Western Carolina (1) 79
5. The Citadel 68
6. Appalachian State 58
7. Samford 44
8. Furman 35
9t. UNCG 23
9t. Wofford 23
11. Davidson 18

2011 SoCon Baseball Preseason Media Poll
1. College of Charleston (19) 239
2. The Citadel (1) 196
3. Elon (1) 193
4. Georgia Southern 180
5. Western Carolina (1) 173
6. Appalachian State 128
7. Samford 102
8. Furman 85
9. Wofford 72
10. UNCG 51
11. Davidson 33