Cougs picked 2nd, Dogs tabbed 4th

College of Charleston was picked to finish second and The Citadel fourth in the Southern Conference's preseason baseball media poll released Thursday.

In the coaches' poll, the Cougars placed third and the Bulldogs fourth. Elon was picked to win the league in both polls.

SoCon coaches also announced their preseason all-conference team, which includes preseason pitcher of the year Jesse Simpson of College of Charleston.

Cougars second baseman Brandon Sizemore also made the first team, along with Citadel outfielder Sonny Meade.

On the second team were Citadel pitcher Wes Wrenn and first baseman Chris McGuiness, along with College of Charleston designated hitter Greg Blake.

Elon outfielder/pitcher Cory Harrilchak was named preseason player of the year.

Simpson, a senior right-hander from Baton Rouge, La., was 9-3 a year ago with a 3.88 earned-run average. Harrilchak hit .410 with 11 home runs and 46 runs batted-in, and also was 7-3 with a 5.13 ERA as a pitcher.

Southern Conference media preseason poll (with first-place votes, points):

1. Elon (15) 194; 2. College of Charleston (2) 176; 3. Georgia Southern (1) 158; 4. The Citadel 125; 5. Appalachian State 110; 6. Western Carolina 101; 7. UNC Greensboro 91; 8. Furman 89; 9. Samford 83; 10. Wofford 41; 11. Davidson 20.

SoCon coaches preseason poll (with first-place votes, points):

1. Elon (8) 98; 2. Georgia Southern (3) 89; 3. College of Charleston 79; 4. The Citadel 62; 5. Appalachian State 57; 6. Western Carolina 52; 7. UNC Greensboro 51; 8. Furman 46; 9. Samford 40; 10. Wofford 19; 11. Davidson 12.

Preseason All-SoCon team:

First Team: P Jesse Simpson, College of Charleston; P Chris Masters, Western Carolina; P Thomas Girdwood, Elon; C Griffin Benedict, Georgia Southern; 1B David Towarnicky, Appalachian State; 2B Brandon Sizemore, College of Charleston; SS Michael Gilmartin, Wofford; 3B A.J. Wirnsberger, Georgia Southern; OF Cory Harrilchak, Elon; OF Sonny Meade, The Citadel; OF Ty Wright, Georgia Southern; DH Reese Wade, Furman.

Second Team: P Matt Andress, Appalachian State; P Wes Wrenn, The Citadel; P Cory Harrilchak, Elon; RP Nick Karow, Furman; C Dallas Tarleton, Elon; 1B Chris McGuiness, The Citadel; 2B Nick Liles, Western Carolina; SS Brent Greer, Western Carolina; 3B Bennett Davis, Elon; OF Corey Overholtzer, UNC Greensboro; OF Jake Williams, Wofford; OF Phillip Porter, Georgia Southern; DH Greg Blake, College of Charleston.