Jan. 14, 2009

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James Madison won its first Colonial Athletic Association championship a season ago and is the choice to win the title again this year in voting by the league’s head coaches and released by the conference office.

The Dukes received six first-place votes and 95 points. George Mason earned four first-place votes and 91 points to place second. UNC Wilmington secured the remaining first-place vote and was third with 86 points, followed by Georgia State, William & Mary, Towson, VCU, Old Dominion, Delaware, Northeastern and Hofstra.

JMU has six starters returning from last season’s 39-19 team which went to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002. The Dukes are led by junior outfielder Alex Foltz (pictured left), who was third team All-CAA and MVP of the conference tournament. Foltz batted .355 in 2008 with seven homers and 38 RBI. JMU has two freshman All-American hurlers back, Turner Phelps (8-0, 3.87) and Trevor Knight (7-3, six saves).

George Mason returns all nine starting position players from last year’s 30-25 squad. The Patriots have two All-CAA selections back in senior outfielder Scott Krieger (.381, 21 HR, 60 RBI) and junior first baseman Justin Bour (.398, 15 HR, 65 RBI).

The CAA Tournament will be held May 20-23 at Brooks Field on the campus of UNC Wilmington in Wilmington, N.C.

Rank/Team (first place votes)/Points

1. James Madison (6) 95

2. George Mason (4) 91

3. UNC Wilmington (1) 86

4. Georgia State 61

5. William & Mary 58

6. Towson 48

7. VCU 42

8. Old Dominion 39

9. Delaware 38

10. Northeastern 37

11. Hofstra 10

 (photo courtesy of JMU Media Relations Office)