By: KSU Sports Information
Atlantic Sun Release I
All Conference Team
MACON, Ga. – The Atlantic Sun Conference recognized senior
Aaron Dobbs and junior
Ronnie Freeman as Preseason All-Atlantic Sun Team Honorees in 2012 as the team was voted to finish third by the Preseason Baseball Coaches Poll.
“Both Aaron and Ronnie deserve any award they receive as they are hard workers and are dedicated to getting better each day,” head coach
Mike Sansing said. “I am proud of these two as they had a great season last year and we have high expectations for them both heading into the 2012 season.”
Dobbs was a first team all-conference honoree last season as he hit .303 and emerged as one of the top outfielders in the conference after transferring in from Gordon College. He ranked among the conference leaders in stolen bases (21) and was second in triples (7) while making the successful transition from third base to left field after a slew of injuries prompted the move.
Freeman, a second team all-conference selection last year, is coming off a remarkable season in which he batted .392 while also hitting safely in a Kennesaw State record 42 consecutive games. His record ranks fourth all time in NCAA Baseball history.
The Owls junior catcher, considered to be a high draft choice in the upcoming Major League Baseball Draft was predicted by Perfect Game USA as a high fifth round pick. Freeman was among the conference leaders in every offensive category as he also posted a .622 slugging percentage and .487 on-base percentage, but is also recognized for his defense.
College Baseball Insider pegged the star as the best defensive catcher in the A-Sun as well as having the best arm.
As a team, the Owls were projected to finish third, behind Stetson and Jacksonville by the coaches around the conference. The Black and Gold finished 2011 in third behind the two schools with a conference record of 18-11. While the Hatters swept the Owls in the season series last year, the squad took two of three games from the Dolphins to conclude regular season play.
The Owls begin their 2012 campaign with the season opener on Fri., Feb. 17 against Bradley at Stillwell Stadium followed by Virginia Tech of the ACC. Season tickets for the 2012 campaign are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Owls ticket office at 770-423-OWLS (6957) or by visiting the website www.KSUOwls.com.
2012 Baseball Preseason Honors and Awards Preseason Player of the Year: Adam Brett Walker, Jacksonville
Fan Voted Preseason Player of the Year: Dylan Craig, Belmont Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Kurt Schluter, Stetson
Fan Voted Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Derek Bushey, ETSU
Preseason All-Atlantic Sun Team
C Ronnie Freeman
1B* Adam Brett Walker
2B Robert Crews
3B Ben Carhart
SS Mark Jones
OF* Dylan Craig
OF* Dan Gulbransen
OF Aaron Dobbs
DH* Dylan Pratt
SP Kurt Schluter
SP Matt Hamann
SP Brandon Love
RP David Teasley
*- Unanimous Choice
Preseason Baseball Coaches Poll
Team (1st Place Votes)
1. Stetson (9) -99
2. Jacksonville-89
3. Kennesaw State-67
4. Belmont-64
5. Mercer-58
6. FGCU (1)-57
7. North Florida-42
8. ETSU-41
9. Lipscomb-18
10. USC Upstate-15
() (1st Place Votes)
Predicted 2012 Tournament Champions: Stetson (7 votes)
