Jan. 22, 2009

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A pair of Louisville Cardinals headlines the 2009 Big East Preseason All-Conference Team, as released by the league office.

Junior left-hander Justin Marks was the unanimous choice as Preseason Pitcher of the Year. Marks posted a 9-2 record in 2008 with a 2.37 ERA. He fanned 89 in 91 innings.

Junior third baseman Chris Dominguez was named Preseason Player of the Year for the second straight season. Dominguez batted .365 in 2008 with 21 home runs, 75 RBI and 68 runs.

The season begins Feb. 20, as eight teams will compete in the Big East/Big Ten Challenge in Florida. At the conclusion of the regular season, the top eight teams will participate in the 2009 Big East Championship May 19-23 at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla.

2009 Big East Preseason All-Conference Team

Pos. Name, Class, School, 2008 Overall Stats

LHP Justin Marks, Jr., Louisville*

     9-2, 2.37, 14 GS, 0 CG, 0 ShO, 91.0 IP, 39 BB, 89 SO

RHP Eric Maust, Jr., Notre Dame

     6-3, 4.52, 10 GS, 0 CG, 0 ShO, 69.2 IP, 23 BB, 46 SO

RHP Michael Hill, Sr., Cincinnati

     6-4, 3.46, 12 GS, 3 CG, 0 ShO, 80.2 IP, 16 BB, 65 SO

RHP John Folino, Sr., Connecticut

     4-4, 5.11, 7 GS, 0 CG, 0 ShO, 56.1 IP, 12 BB, 39 SO

RHP Sean Black, Jr., Seton Hall

     3-3, 3.44, 8 GS, 1 CG, 1 ShO, 65.1 IP, 30 BB, 59 SO

C Jeff Arnold, Jr., Louisville

     .333, 183 AB, 39 R, 61 H, 14 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 32 RBI, 12 SB

1B Jaren Matthews, So., Rutgers

     .294, 214 AB, 37 R, 63 H, 11 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 54 RBI, 8 SB

2B Jeremy Barnes, Sr., Notre Dame

     .307, 199 AB, 40 R, 61 H, 15 2B, 1 3B, 8 HR, 50 RBI, 3 SB

3B Chris Dominguez, Jr., Louisville

     .365, 249 AB, 68 R, 91 H, 13 2B, 2 3B, 21 HR, 75 RBI, 11 SB

SS Jedd Gyorko, So., West Virginia

     .409, 232 AB, 62 R, 95 H, 17 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 63 RBI, 4 SB

OF Ryan Lockwood, So., USF

     .415, 193 AB, 44 R, 80 H, 15 2B, 2 3B, 0 HR, 37 RBI, 12 SB

OF A.J. Pollock, Jr., Notre Dame

     .350, 217 AB, 49 R, 76 H, 15 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 42 RBI, 28SB

OF Cameron Satterwhite, Sr., Cincinnati

     .364, 225 AB, 49 R, 82 H, 21 2B, 2 3B, 14 HR, 61 RBI, 0 SB

DH Chris Affinito, Sr., Seton Hall

     .308, 201 AB, 38 R, 62 H, 9 2B, 3 3B, 10 HR, 40 RBI, 0 SB

* - unanimous selection