ROCK HILL, S.C. – On the eve of the 2017 season, the Anderson baseball team has been picked to finish ninth, just behind Mars Hill, in the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league office on Thursday.

The Trojans earned a berth in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament two seasons ago before bowing out following a win and a pair of setbacks and will be vying for their second appearance in the SAC Championship in three seasons after wrapping up the 2016 campaign with a 20-30 overall record and finishing 10th with a 9-15 mark in the SAC.

Head Coach Joe Miller has the unenviable task of replacing former All-Conference selections LJ Newman, who was a fixture behind the plate last season for the Trojans and former standout Steven Cooper, who is now roaming the Trojan dugout as an assistant coach. But Miller, who is entering his 21st season at the helm of the program and 27th overall with the Black and Gold will have seven returning position players that saw significant playing time last season at his disposal, plus four hurlers that combined for 13 wins a year ago.

Catawba was chosen first in the annual preseason poll, marking the fifth consecutive year the Catawba Indians have received the top spot, as the head coaches gave Catawba eight first-place votes and a total of 107 points.

Tusculum was voted No. 2 in the poll with 90 points and one first-place vote, while Newberry was voted No. 3 with one first-place vote and 86 points. Carson-Newman received one first-place vote and came in fourth with 78 points. Lincoln Memorial and Wingate tied for No. 5 with 74 points. Lenoir -Rhyne was voted No. 7 with 70 points. Mars Hill took the No. 8 spot with 39 points, just in front of the Trojans at No. 9. Coker was voted No. 10 with 37 points and Brevard rounded out the poll with 19 points.

The South Atlantic Conference also announced its preseason All-SAC team. Newberry's Jeff Sneed was named first-team catcher, while Chance Bowden from Catawba earned first team honors at first base. At second base was Zack Finchum from Tusculum, at shortstop was Jimmy Rice from Carson-Newman and at the hot corner was Derek Olenchuck from Newberry.

Earning first team outfield honors were Daymon Totherow from Newberry and Carson-Newman's Ryan Addington and Cade Snapp.

Newberry's Zack Kelly was voted first team starting pitcher as Russ Weiker from Catawba and Ethan Elliott from Lincoln Memorial also received first team honors.

Catawba's Malachi Hanes was voted first-team designated hitter, while Bryan Blanton from Catawba was named first-team relief pitcher.

The South Atlantic Conference baseball season gets underway on Wednesday Feb. 1. The 2017 Pilot Flying J South Atlantic Conference Baseball Championship is slated for April 27-May 1 at Smokies Stadium in Kodak, Tenn.

Anderson will play host to North Greenville, Tuesday, Feb. 7 in the 2017 season-opener as part of a four-game homestand to open the campaign. First-pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

Admission to Trojan baseball games is $5 - students, faculty and staff, along with members of the Trojan Club are admitted free of charge.

2017 SAC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll

Team (1st-place votes) Points
1. Catawba (8) 107
2. Tusculum (1) 90
3. Newberry (1) 86
4. Carson-Newman 78
5. Lincoln Memorial 74
6. Wingate 74
7. Lenoir-Rhyne 70
8. Mars Hill 39
9. Anderson 38
10. Coker 37
11. Brevard 19

2017 Preseason All-Conference First Team
OF- Daymon Totherow, Newberry
OF- Ryan Addington, Carson-Newman
OF- Cade Snapp, Carson-Newman
1B- Chance Bowden, Catawba
2B- Zack Finchum, Tusculum
SS- Jimmy Rice, Carson-Newman
3B- Derek Olenchuck, Newberry
C- Jeff Sneed, Newberry
DH-Malachi Hanes, Catawba
SP- Zack Kelly, Newberry
SP- Russ Weiker, Catawba
SP- Ethan Elliot, Lincoln Memorial
RP- Bryan Blanton, Catawba

All-SAC Second Team
OF-Mason Ewers, Lincoln Memorial
OF- Danton Hyman, Newberry
OF- Austin Turgeon, Wingate
1B- Nick Lacina, Tusculum
2B- Kyle Smith, Catawba
SS- Bryson Conner, Coker
3B- Eric Kalman, Lincoln Memorial
C- Gooch Greer, Carson-Newman
DH-Bradley Brown, Wingate
SP- Brandon Dona hue, Wingate
SP- Christian Rasssch,
SP- Zach Slagle, Tusculum
RP- Tad Ratliff, Lenoir-Rhyne