BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford baseball team was picked as the favorite to win the Southern Conference, and junior pitcher Brooks Rice was tabbed as the league's preseason Pitcher of the Year when the SoCon released its preseason baseball awards Thursday morning.
 
Rice was joined on the first team All-SoCon team by starting pitcher Michael Ross and second baseman John Anderson. Samford's second team All-SoCon representatives were starting pitcher Will Lynch, relief pitcher Jake Holifield, catcher Lucas Steele and outfielder Josh Rodriguez.
 
Rice comes to Samford from Northwest Mississippi Community College, where he spent the last two seasons. In 2023, he struck out 58 batters in 59.2 innings of work. He held opposing batters to a .234 batting average.
 
Ross returns after missing the 2023 season with an injury. In 2022, Ross led the team's starters with a 3.77 ERA in 76.1 innings of work, recording 66 strikeouts and holding opposing hitters to a .223 average. Anderson led the Southern Conference with 22 home runs, and he ranked second in the league with 60 RBI.
 
Lynch tossed 78.1 innings in 2023, striking out 65 batters, the third-highest total on the team. Holifield threw 40.0 innings, mostly in relief, holding batters to a .271 average. Steele was tied for second on the team with a .315 batting average with 15 doubles, 16 home runs and 51 RBI last season. Rodriguez batted .275 in 2023 with 12 home runs and 36 RBI.
 
In the SoCon preseason poll, Samford received 49 points, including seven of the eight first-place votes to be named the preseason favorite to win the league. Following Samford in the poll were Mercer (42 pts.), Wofford (33, 1 first-place vote), Western Carolina (25), ETSU (24), UNC Greensboro (23), VMI (19) and The Citadel (9).
 
As a team last season, Samford finished with a record of 37-25, going 15-6 in Southern Conference play to win the SoCon regular-season championship. The Bulldogs then went on to win the SoCon Tournament title and earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Samford will open the 2024 season by hosting Queens University on Friday, Feb. 16. The game is set for a 4 p.m. start from Joe Lee Griffin Field.
 
2024 SoCon Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll
Team (First-Place Votes) Points

1. Samford (7)	49
2. Mercer	42
3. Wofford (1)	33
4. Western Carolina	25
5. ETSU	24
6. UNCG	23
7. VMI	19
8. The Citadel	9

 
2024 SoCon Preseason Player of the Year
Justin Starke, Sr., VMI
 
2024 SoCon Baseball Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Brooks Rice, Jr., Samford


2024 Preseason All-SoCon Baseball Team
First Team

SP	Brooks Rice, Jr., Samford
SP	Sam Swygert, Jr., The Citadel
SP	Colton Cosper, Jr., Mercer
SP	Michael Ross, Jr., Samford
RP	Will Holmes, So., The Citadel
RP	Gavin Mortenson, Sr., Western Carolina
C	Cole Garrett, Sr., VMI
1B	Cameron Sisneros, Sr., ETSU
2B	John Anderson, Sr., Samford
SS	Sawyer Reeves, Jr., The Citadel
3B	Justin Starke, Sr., VMI
OF	Ty Dalley, So., Mercer
OF	Cole Jenkins, Sr., VMI
OF	Trey Morgan, Sr., VMI
DH	Jackson Cherry, Sr., Mercer

2024 Preseason All-SoCon Baseball Team
Second Team

SP	Rob Ready, Jr., UNCG
SP	Will Lynch, Jr., Samford
SP	Zac Cowan, So., Wofford
RP	Wes Franklin, Sr., Mercer
RP	Jake Holifield, Sr., Samford
C	Lucas Steele, So., Samford
1B	James Hinson, Sr., Western Carolina
2B	Ty Swaim, Sr., VMI
2B	Brice Martinez, Sr., Wofford
SS	Ashton King, Sr., ETSU
SS	Jack Renwick, Sr., Wofford
3B	Cody Miller, So., ETSU
OF	Tommy Barth, Jr., ETSU
OF	Josh Rodriguez, Sr., Samford
OF	Cole Jones, R-Jr., Western Carolina
DH	Nick Iannantone, Sr., ETSU

 
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