2018 SIAC Baseball Preseason Teams Announced

ATLANTA (February 1, 2018) – The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) has announced its 2018 Baseball Preseason team as voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.

Several returners from last season’s all-conference team made their debut in this years’ preseason teams. Nine of the fourteen SIAC schools were represented on the preseason teams.

Benedict, who finished second within the eastern division, had four selections on this years’ preseason team. Kentucky State, Miles, Tuskegee, Claflin followed closely behind with three selections, while Paine and Spring Hill had two. Albany State and Clark Atlanta rounded out the preseason team with one selection each.

Representing Benedict Tigers were David White, Jr., Armando Valentin, and Andrew McCoy who secured their spot in this years’ preseason team while also being selected for the National Association of Baseball Writers (NCBWA) All-South Region Second Team. White secured a spot on the first team after leading the Tigers in home runs (8) during the 2017 season. Valentin led the Tigers in hits (66), RBIs (57), while hitting .423; outfielder, Andrew McCoy led in walks (41) and scored runs (58). Snype finished his 2017 campaign hitting .359 which included 23 hits. He also recorded 16 runs which rounded out Benedict’s pick for this year.

Kentucky State’s infielder, Cameron Starks, was selected after finishing the 2017 season hitting .429. Gregory Alexander was also selected for this years’ team after leading the Thorobreds in doubles (18), homeruns (4), and triples (3).  Stinson rounded out the selections for the Thorobreds leading in assists (120).

Infielder, Xavius Burden, represented Miles as he led the conference batting at .455 securing his spot in the preseason team for the conference and the NCBWA All-South Region Team. Outfielder, Ryan Bargery, and utility, Reeves Brashear, rounded out the team for the Golden Bears. Bargery led the Golden Bears in runs (56) and hits (70), while Brashear closely followed with 56 hits.

Tuskegee was represented by their starting pitcher, Trey Nelson, who finished his 2017 campaign with a 3.53 ERA alongside second baseman, Dominic Johnson, and third baseman Jalen Luter. Luter led the Golden Tigers in runs (46) followed closely behind was Johnson with 32 hits.

Second baseman, Johnathan Parnell, relief pitcher, Elijah McKinnis, and outfielder, Darrell Langston each earned their spots in this years’ preseason team representing Claflin. Langston led the Panthers hitting .368 while also dominating in hits (67) and home runs (7). Parnell finished the season hitting .347 while leading his team with 13 doubles. McKinnis finished the season with a 5.23 ERA.

Paine is represented by their starting pitcher, Evan Krenz, and outfielder, Gabriel Guzman. Krenz led the Lions with a 4.34 ERA. Krenz finished the 2017 season with 79 strikeouts. Guzman also represented for the Lions as he led with 60 hits averaging .405. He also led the conference in triples (8) which finished out the Lion’s selection.

Spring Hill’s catcher, Brennan Fontenot, and relief pitcher, Michael Romano secured their spots in this year’s preseason team as they led the Badgers to the No. 1 spot in the western division last season. Fontenot hit .359 during last year’s season and led the Badgers in runs (47). Romano finished Spring Hill’s selection as he finished the season with a 3.52 ERA while adding 47 hits and 22 runs.

Infielder, Ryan McClendon (Albany State), and outfielder, Raphael Andrades (Clark Atlanta) rounded out this years’ preseason team. McClendon led the Golden Rams in home runs (7) and triples (3). Andrades hit .382 for the Panthers which included 47 hits. He also led the Panthers in RBIs (28) and home runs (7).

2018 Preseason Baseball Team

First Team

Second Team