Two Conference Carolinas Baseball Teams Appear in NCBWA Preseason National Poll; Six Players Named Preseason All-America
PEMBROKE, N.C. – Two Conference Carolinas baseball teams appeared in the 2017 NCBWA Preseason National poll, it was announced by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
Belmont Abbey College enters 2017 ranked No. 19 in the nation, while University of Mount Olive is just outside the top 25 after collecting 21 points.
In addition to the preseason regional poll, the 2017 Preseason NCBWA All-America teams were also announced. Six Conference Carolinas players were selected to the teams. See the full list below.
2017 Preseason NCBWA National Poll
1. Nova Southeastern (Fla.)
2. Central Missouri
3. Southern New Hampshire
4. Millersville (Pa.)
5. Tampa (Fla.)
6. USC Aiken
7. St. Edward’s (Texas)
8. California Baptist
9. Franklin Pierce (N.H.)
10. Colorado Mesa
11. Quincy (Ill.)
12. Mercyhurst (Pa.)
13. Grand Valley State (Mich.)
14. 14 St. Cloud State (Minn.)
15. Catawba College (N.C.)
16. Dixie State (Utah)
17. West Florida
18. Cal Poly Pomona
19. Belmont Abbey (N.C.)
20. Lubbock Christian (Texas)
21. Minnesota State
22. Indianapolis (Ind.)
23. Delta State (Miss.)
24. Angelo State (Texas)
25. West Chester (Pa.)
Also receiving votes: Mount Olive, N.C.; St. Thomas Aquinas, N.Y.; Chico State, Calif.; Ashland, Ohio; Florida Southern; Arkansas-Monticello; Southern Indiana; Lander, S.C.; Shepherd, W. Va.
2017 Preseason All-America Team
First Team
First Base: Henry Faunce, Erskine (S.C.)
Second Team
Catcher: Andrew Webster, Barton College (N.C.)
Third Team
Shortstop: Colin Rosenbaum, Belmont Abbey (N.C.)
Honorable Mention
Starting Pitcher: Dylan Ward, Barton (N.C.); Bruce Zimmerman, Mount Olive (N.C.)
Outfield: Nick Beinlich, Belmont Abbey (N.C.)
Conference Carolinas is a NCAA Division II athletics conference made up of 12 teams from Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. These institutions consist of: Barton College, Belmont Abbey College, Converse College, Emmanuel College, Erskine College, King University, Lees-McRae College, Limestone College, University of Mount Olive, North Greenville University, Pfeiffer University, and Southern Wesleyan University. Emmanuel College is currently completing the NCAA Membership Process and will be fully competing in league championships in the near future.