KANSAS CITY, MO- 11/19/09- The University of South Carolina Beaufort baseball team received national consideration in the NAIA Baseball Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll in the 2010 edition announced by the NAIA (Nov. 17). In its inaugural year of baseball the Sand Sharks finished with a 33-20 record and earned the 4th spot in the Sun Conference tournament and received votes last year for the Top 25.
Defending national champions Lubbock Christian University (Texas) claimed the top spot in the poll with 23 first place votes after claiming their second World Series title last season.
The Sand Sharks will enter the 2010 season with a veteran squad that finished the regular season with a 14-10 conference mark, which led to the Sun Conference play – offs. Among the returners are last years team MVP RJ Neal who hit .367, 15 doubles, 6 triples, 3 home runs and 44 RBI’s as a freshmen. Senior Zach Rossetti (.342, 3, 33), Junior Spencer Jackson (.366, 2, 30) highlight the other returning position players from last year. Pitching wise, pitcher of the year for the Sand Sharks last year is back, Senior Jared Campbell (3-4, 4.30 ERA). Ryan Kroko (6-1, 6.60 ERA), sophomore’s Kyle McCullough (2-1, 5 saves, 4.81 ERA), Jorge Olmo (5-2, 5.30) and Ryan Pkilpott (3-1, 4.63) are also returning to a team that only lost 1 player.
Other Sun Conference school Embry-Riddle University was also ranked in the preseason poll as they were ranked 7th. Warner University ranked 20th and Savannah College of Art & Design were voted for consideration.
The Sand Sharks 2010 season is scheduled to begin on February 6th vs. Benedict College at home with a Noon start. The Sun Conference opener at home will be on February 12-13 vs. #20 Warner University.