Harrilchak, Simpson tabbed as Player and Pitcher of the Year
SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? The Southern Conference baseball coaches have selected a preseason all-conference team, headlined by Preseason Player of the Year Cory Harrilchak of Elon and Preseason Pitcher of the Year Jesse Simpson of College of Charleston.
Nine of the 11 SoCon teams have at least one representative on the team led by Elon’s five selections and Georgia Southern’s four.
Harrilchak, who was also named to the first team as an outfielder and the second team as a pitcher, batted .410 with 11 home runs and 46 RBI in 2008 while leading the Phoenix to a 44-18 record and a Southern Conference championship. Harrilchak was also one of Elon’s top pitchers in 2008, crafting a 7-3 record with a 5.13 ERA. The Cary, N.C., native was a first-team All-SoCon selection in 2008 as well as the Most Outstanding Player of the Southern Conference Baseball Championship.
Simpson, a senior right-handed pitcher from Baton Rouge, La., boasted a 9-3 record and a 3.88 ERA a season ago and is the league’s leading returner in both categories. Simpson pitched a pair of complete games in 2008, including a one-run, 10-strikeout effort against The Citadel on April 26 and a win over Western Carolina in the first round of the SoCon Tournament.
Joining Simpson on the first team as pitchers are Western Carolina’s Chris Masters and Elon closer Thomas Girdwood. Georgia Southern, which has three first-team selections, is represented by catcher Griffin Benedict, third baseman A.J. Wirnsberger and outfielder Ty Wright.
Other first-team honorees are Appalachian State first baseman David Towarnicky, College of Charleston second baseman Brandon Sizemore, Wofford shortstop Michael Gilmartin, The Citadel outfielder Sonny Meade and Furman designated hitter Reese Wade.
Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players.
The 2009 Southern Conference baseball season begins on Friday, February 20 with all 11 league teams in action. The 2009 Southern Conference Baseball Championship will be held from May 20-24 at Fluor Field in Greenville, S.C.
2009 SoCon Baseball Preseason All-Conference Team
Player of the Year ? Cory Harrilchak, Sr., OF/P, Elon
Pitcher of the Year ? Jesse Simpson, Sr., RHP, College of Charleston
First Team
P Jesse Simpson, College of Charleston
P Chris Masters, Western Carolina
RP Thomas Girdwood, Elon
C Griffin Benedict, Georgia Southern
1B David Towarnicky, Appalachian State
2B Brandon Sizemore, College of Charleston
SS Michael Gilmartin, Wofford
3B A.J. Wirnsberger, Georgia Southern
OF Cory Harrilchak, Elon
OF Sonny Meade, The Citadel
OF Ty Wright, Georgia Southern
DH Reese Wade, Furman
Second Team
P Matt Andress, Appalachian State
P Wes Wrenn, The Citadel
P Cory Harrilchak, Elon
RP Nick Karow, Furman
C Dallas Tarleton, Elon
1B Chris McGuiness, The Citadel
2B Nick Liles, Western Carolina
SS Brent Greer, Western Carolina
3B Bennett Davis, Elon
OF Corey Overholtzer, UNC Greensboro
OF Jake Williams, Wofford
OF Phillip Porter, Georgia Southern
DH Greg Blake, College of Charleston