Feb. 10, 2011

College of Charleston is SoCon pick for coaches, media

The College of Charleston is the favorite to win the Southern Conference, according to the league’s coaches and members of the media, as released by the conference office.

The Cougars earned all 10 possible first-place votes by the coaches for 100 points, CofC picked up 19 of 22 first-place votes and 239 points in the media poll. The Cougars, under head coach Monte Lee, return six position starters and two weekend starting pitchers.

Elon and Georgia Southern tied for second in balloting by the coaches, while defending regular-season and tourney champ The Citadel placed second in the media poll.

Western Carolina was fourth in the coaches’ poll, receiving one first-place vote, followed by The Citadel, Appalachian State, Sanford and Furman. UNC Greensboro and Wofford tied for ninth, followed by Davidson.

Elon was third in the media poll, followed by Georgia Southern, Western Carolina, Appalachian State, Samford, Furman, Wofford, UNC Greensboro and Davidson. The Citadel, Elon and Western Carolina each picked up one first-place vote.

The 2011 season kicks off on Friday, Feb. 18, with all 11 SoCon teams in action. Conference play begins on Friday, March 4, with Appalachian State at The Citadel and Furman at Davidson. The 2011 Southern Conference Championship will be May 25-29 at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in Charleston, S.C.

 
Southern Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Team, Points (First place) (2010 SoCon, Overall Records)

1. College of Charleston, 100 (10) (22-8, 44-19)
2. Elon, 81 (19-11, 38-24)
2. Georgia Southern, 81 (19-11, 34-24)
4. Western Carolina, 79 (1) (16-13-1, 37-21-1)
5. The Citadel, 68 (24-6, 43-22)
6. Appalachian State, 58 (14-14-1, 38-18-1)
7. Samford, 44 (17-12, 31-25)
8. Furman, 35 (11-19, 19-37)
9. UNC Greensboro, 23 (7-23, 20-33)
9. Wofford, 23 (9-21, 17-38)
11. Davidson, 18 (5-25, 19-32)
 

Southern Conference Preseason Media Poll

Team, Points (First place) (2010 SoCon, Overall Records)

1. College of Charleston, 239 (19) (22-8, 44-19)
2. The Citadel, 196 (1) (24-6, 43-22)
3. Elon, 193 (1) (19-11, 38-24)
4. Georgia Southern, 180 (19-11, 34-24)
5. Western Carolina, 173 (1) (16-13-1, 37-21-1)
6. Appalachian State, 128 (14-14-1, 38-18-1)
7. Samford, 102 (17-12, 31-25)
8. Furman, 85 (11-19, 19-37)
9. Wofford, 72 (9-21, 17-38)
10. UNC Greensboro, 51 (7-23, 20-33)
11. Davidson, 33 (5-25, 19-32)