BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford baseball team was picked as the favorite to win the Southern Conference title and sophomore pitcher Mason Blasche was named the preseason Pitcher of the Year when the league released its preseason poll and All-Conference teams Thursday afternoon.
 
Six members of the Samford team were named preseason All-Conference, with five earning first-team honors. Blasche was joined on the first team by catcher Cade Carr, second baseman Jeffrey Ince, third baseman Parker McDonald and outfielder Jake Souders. Designated hitter Trey Higgins was named second-team All-SoCon.
 
Samford earned 45 points in the poll, receiving four of the eight first-place votes. The Bulldogs narrowly edged out Mercer with 44 points and three first-place votes. ETSU followed with 38 points and one first-place nod. ETSU was followed by The Citadel (30), Western Carolina (24), UNC Greensboro (16), VMI (14) and Wofford (13).
 
Blasche had an outstanding freshman year in 2025. He posted a record of 10-0 and an ERA of 3.24. He struck out 56 batters, while allowing just 13 walks.
 
Carr led Samford with 61 RBI last season. He hit .332 with 16 doubles and eight home runs on the season.
 
Last season, Ince posted a .330 batting average. He had a team-high 17 doubles, and he ranked third on the team with 10 home runs for the season. He drove in 34 runs for the Bulldogs as well.
 
McDonald finished second on the team with 13 home runs in 2025. He also tied for second on the squad with 16 doubles, while driving in 50 runs and hitting .286 on the season.
 
Souders hit .327 as a freshman last season. He hit 13 doubles, eight home runs and drove in 46 runs on the season.
 
Higgins hit nine home runs, while playing in just 37 games due to injury. He had four doubles and drove in 29 runs during the 2025 season.
 
Samford will open the 2026 season on Friday, Feb. 13, when the Bulldogs play host to Belmont. The game is set for a 4 p.m. start from Joe Lee Griffin Field.
 
Preseason Poll (first place votes in parentheses)

1. Samford (4) – 45
2. Mercer (3) - 44
3. ETSU (1) – 38
4. The Citadel – 30
5. Western Carolina – 24
6. UNC Greensboro - 16
7. VMI - 14
8. Wofford - 13

Preseason Player of the Year: Grayson Fitzwater, 1B, VMI (Sr., Suffolk, VA / Nansemond River HS)
Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Mason Blasche, RHP, Samford (So., Hoover, AL / Hoover HS)

Preseason All-SoCon First Team
SP – Mason Blasche, Samford
SP – Michael Harpster, ETSU
SP – Garrett Lambert, Mercer
SP – Davis Wright, Western Carolina
RP – Derek McCarley, ETSU
RP – Champ Davis, Wofford
RP – Collin Edwaldsen, Mercer
C – Cade Carr, Samford
1B – Grayson Fitzwater, VMI
2B – Jeffrey Ince, Samford
SS – Trent Turner, Western Carolina
3B – Parker McDonald, Samford
OF – Jake Souders, Samford
OF – Bradley Garner, VMI
OF – Jamie Palmese, ETSU
DH – Trey Spees, Western Carolina

Preseason All-SoCon Second Team
SP – Will Holmes, The Citadel
SP – Noah Chapman, UNCG
SP – Andrew Stanley, The Citadel
SP – Jess Ackerman, Mercer
RP – Braydon Kersey, Mercer
RP – Owen Austin, Western Carolina
RP – Ryan White, Western Carolina
C – Phillips Daniels, The Citadel
1B – James Layman, Wofford
1B – Tristan Curless, ETSU
2B – Tanner Hardin, Wofford
SS – Titan Kamaka, Mercer
3B – Brant Baughcum, Mercer
OF – Owen Prince, VMI
OF – Axel Melendez, ETSU
OF – TJ Anderson, The Citadel
DH – Trey Higgins, Samford
 
 
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