BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Gulf South Conference released its 2012 Baseball Preseason Poll and Preseason All-Conference selections on Tuesday, as voted on by the league head coaches. The University of Alabama in Huntsville collected 21 points in the poll and was tabbed to finish sixth in the conference.
Defending NCAA Champion West Florida and conference-rival North Alabama enter the 2012 campaign as GSC Preseason favorites to claim the league title as both schools are tied for atop the Coaches' Poll with 44 points. In addition, West Florida also enters the season ranked No. 1 in the nation in the
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's Top 40 poll.
The University of New Orleans will be a new face to the diamond this spring as it transitions towards membership in the GSC. The Privateers will play a complete conference schedule in 2012 but will not be eligible for the GSC Tournament. Last season, playing a Division I schedule, UNO finished 4-50.
Individually, two Charger players, first baseman Grant DeBruin and outfield Eric Deese, earned spots on the 15-member 2012 Baseball Pre-Season All-GSC Team. Seven 2011 All-GSC First Team standouts highlight the preseason squad that consists of all returning All-GSC First and Second Team members from last season.
Overall, North Alabama returned the most players with six, followed by UAH, Delta State and West Georgia which each added two. Valdosta State, West Alabama and West Florida rounded out the contingent with one player each.
UAH will open its 2012 campaign on Feb. 3-4 with a road series against Montevallo. The opening game will be played on Feb. 3 in Montevallo, Ala., at 2 p.m. CST.
2012 Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll
|
SCHOOL |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
6th |
7th |
TOTAL |
|
West Florida |
4 |
1 |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
44 |
|
North Alabama |
3 |
3 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
44 |
|
Delta State |
1 |
3 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
40 |
|
Valdosta State |
- |
- |
1 |
5 |
1 |
- |
- |
28 |
|
West Alabama |
- |
- |
- |
3 |
2 |
1 |
- |
26 |
|
UAH |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4 |
2 |
- |
21 |
|
West Georgia |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
5 |
1 |
14 |
|
Christian Brothers |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
7 |
7 |
The head coaches voted on this poll. Teams received 7 points for a first place vote, 6 for a second place vote, 5 for third, etc. The head coaches were not allowed to vote for their own squads.
2012 Preseason All-GSC Team
|
POS. |
NAME |
SCHOOL |
YEAR |
HT |
WT |
B/T |
HOMETOWN |
|
C |
#Christian Glisson |
VSU |
Jr. |
5-10 |
202 |
L/R |
Hahira, Ga. |
|
1B |
!Grant DeBruin |
UAH |
Jr. |
6-3 |
235 |
R/R |
Boaz, Ala. |
|
1B |
#Josh Cyr |
UNA |
So. |
6-1 |
250 |
R/R |
Huntsville, Ala. |
|
1B |
#Andy Marinelli |
UWG |
Jr. |
6-0 |
200 |
R/R |
Woodstock, Ga. |
|
2B |
!Michael Schmidt |
UNA |
Jr. |
5-9 |
150 |
L/R |
Powder Springs, Ga. |
|
2B |
!Stuart Drew |
UWG |
Jr. |
5-9 |
162 |
R/R |
Douglas, Ga. |
|
3B |
!J.P. LaMunyon |
UNA |
Jr. |
5-11 |
190 |
R/R |
Leawood, Kan. |
|
3B |
#Josh Huggins |
UWF |
Sr. |
6-0 |
212 |
R/R |
Bay Minette, Ala. |
|
SS |
#Josh Carpenter |
UNA |
Fr. |
6-0 |
170 |
R/R |
Harvest, Ala. |
|
OF |
!Eric Deese |
UAH |
Jr. |
6-2 |
180 |
R/R |
Tuscaloosa, Ala. |
|
OF |
!Ladarrius Cole |
UWA |
Jr. |
5-9 |
170 |
L/L |
Shannon, Miss. |
|
DH |
#Jake Sloan |
UNA |
Jr. |
6-2 |
225 |
L/R |
Amory, Miss. |
|
SP |
#Aaron Newcomb |
DSU |
Jr. |
6-3 |
195 |
R/R |
Centralia, Ill. |
|
SP |
#Chad Boughner |
UNA |
So. |
6-1 |
160 |
R/R |
Florence, Ala. |
|
SP |
!Josh Branstetter |
DSU |
Jr. |
5-11 |
186 |
R/R |
Pensacola, Fla. |
The 2012 Pre-Season All-GSC Baseball Team consists of all returning players from last year's All-GSC First and Second Teams; ! - 2011 First Team All-GSC; # - 2011 Second Team All-GSC
