Feb. 1, 2012

click here for coaches' A-Sun preseason poll

Walker, Schluter earn top preseason honors in A-Sun

Junior first baseman Adam Brett Walker II (left) of Jacksonville was named Preseason Player of the Year and junior starter Kurt Schluter was named Preseason Pitcher of the Year in the Atlantic Sun Conference in voting by the league’s head coaches and as announced by the conference office.

In 2011, Walker led the A-Sun with 99 hits, 165 total bases, 23 doubles and a batting average of .409. He placed second with 74 RBI and a slugging percentage of .682. Walker belted 13 homers and swiped 14 bases.

Schluter (right) went 8-0 in 10 starts a season ago with a miniscule 1.40 ERA. In conference contests, he was 5-0 with 37 strikeouts and a 0.97 ERA.

Stetson led the way with four players on the preseason all-conference team. Schluter was joined by three senior infielders, second baseman Robert Crews, shortstop Mark Jones and third baseman Ben Carhart.

The 2012 season starts on Feb. 17 with all 10 A-Sun teams in action. Conference play begins on March 16 with four weekend series. The Atlantic Sun Championship will be held from May 23-26 at Melching Field in DeLand, Fla., on Stetson’s home field.

2012 Preseason All-Atlantic Sun Team

Pos. Name, School, Class

C Ronnie Freeman, Kennesaw State, Jr. (right)

1B* Adam Brett Walker II, Jacksonville, Jr.

2B Robert Crews, Stetson, Sr.

3B Ben Carhart, Stetson, Sr.

SS Mark Jones, Stetson, Sr.

OF* Dylan Craig, Belmont, Jr.

OF* Dan Gulbransen, Jacksonville, Jr.

OF Aaron Dobbs, Kennesaw State, Sr.

DH* Dylan Pratt, ETSU, Sr.

SP Kurt Schluter, Stetson, Jr.

SP Matt Hamann, Belmont, Sr.

SP Brandon Love, Mercer, Sr.

RP David Teasley, Mercer, Jr.

*Unanimous Selection

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

(photos courtesy of JU, SU & KSU Media Relations Offices)