North Georgia Baseball Picked to Win Peach Belt Title by League Coaches

1-27-16

AUGUSTA, Ga. | For the first time in their PBC history, the North Georgia Nighthawks have been selected as the preseason team to beat in a poll of the league’s baseball head coaches released by the league office on Wednesday. The Nighthawks gathered 10 of a possible 12 first-place votes for a total of 138, ahead of second-place Armstrong State. Columbus State, USC Aiken, and UNC Pembroke rounded out the top five.

Picked 10th in the preseason poll a year ago, the Nighthawks stormed their way through conference play to claim their first-ever PBC regular-season championship in 2015. Finishing with a 22-8 league mark and 38-17 overall, the Nighthawks made their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008 and reached the regional championship game. For 2016, North Georgia returns six position players including PBC Freshman of the Year Connor Hoover at shortstop and All-Conference catcher Sam Tidaback. Also back is All-Conference starting pitcher Brandon Agar. UNG will begin the 2016 season ranked 15th nationally in the Collegiate Baseball DII poll.

Armstrong State finished second in the 2015 standings and reached the championship game of the PBC Tournament. 34-14 overall and 17-9 in conference play, the Pirates begin 2016 ranked No. 25 in the nation with 17 players and seven starters returning. Among those back are first-team All-Conference relief pitcher Tyler Graham, who led the league with 12 saves last year. Also back is senior catcher Berry Aldridge, who led the team with a .392 batting average and was named PBC All-Tournament and senior outfielder Will Austin who was second with a .381 batting average and was sixth in the PBC with 20 stolen bases.

Columbus State finished sixth in the PBC standings a year ago with a 35-14 overall record, 17-12 in conference play. The Cougars, who will be playing in the newly refurbished Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field, bring back 12 seniors on the 2016 roster including first-team All-Conference designated hitter Mike McClellan who led the team and was third in the PBC with 16 home runs.

USC Aiken may have one of the most experienced teams in the PBC heading into 2016 with 27 juniors and seniors on the roster heading into the season opener. The Pacers finished fifth in the PBC last year with a 34-17 overall record, 18-12 in league play and reached the semifinals of the PBC Tournament. Among those returning are senior infielder Chaz Pal who hit .393 and was ranked in the PBC’s top five in doubles and triples and junior catcher Zach Moon, who was tied for the team lead in home runs. Also back is senior starter Trevor Hutto who was second on the team in wins and innings pitched.

The preseason coaches’ poll is listed below. Teams were given 12 points for a first-place vote, 11 for a second and so on. Coaches were not permitted to rank their own teams.