BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— D1Baseball.com picked Samford as the preseason favorite to win the Southern Conference, and second baseman Brooks Carlson was selected as the league's preseason Player of the Year when the organization released its preseason SoCon preview Friday.

Samford was also picked as the lone Regional team from the league. Carlson and pitcher Samuel Strickland were both selected among the top 10 pro prospects in the SoCon as well.  

Carlson has also been named preseason All-American by both D1Baseball.com and Collegiate Baseball so far this preseason. Strickland was also named third team preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball.

In the 15 games that were played in the 2020 season prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Carlson ranked second in the nation in batting with a .500 (25-of-50) average. He hit four doubles and three home runs, and drove in 19 runs.
 
Carlson led the Southern Conference in batting average, and he tied for the league lead in hits with 25. He also ranked third in the league in RBI (19) and fourth in total bases (38).

In four appearances in the shortened season, Strickland posted a record of 3-0, with an impressive 1.17 Earned Run Average. Strickland struck out 30 batters, while allowing just one walk.
 
Strickland ranked fourth in the Southern Conference in fewest runs allowed (4), and he tied for fourth in the SoCon in wins (3). He also ranked fifth in the league in ERA (1.17), strike outs (30) and strike outs per game (11.74).

The Bulldogs will open the 2021 season on Feb. 19, when Samford begins a three-game series with UT Martin at Joe Lee Griffin Field. The teams are scheduled to play Feb. 19 at 4 p.m., Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. and Feb. 21 at 1 p.m.