January 18, 2006
Contact: Cory Blackson, Sports Information Director

Ferrum Picked USA South Preseason Baseball Favorite

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - Ferrum College, under the direction of 22nd-year Head Coach Abe Naff, was picked to win the USA South Athletic Conference 2006 men's baseball title in the preseason coaches' poll.  The Panthers are coming off their first USA South Tournament title and their ninth trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Ferrum received four of seven first-place votes (33 points) as head coaches do not vote for their own teams in the balloting.

Methodist College, the 2005 Conference regular season champions finished second in the balloting with 31 points and two first-place votes.  Christopher Newport University rounded out the top-three as the Captains collected 29 points and one first-place vote.

The 2006 campaign gets underway on Saturday, Feb. 4 when Greensboro College hosts Frostburg State at 12 p.m.  The USA South Tournament will be played April 12th - 15th in Burlington, N.C. at the Burlington Athletic Stadium.

 

2006 USA South Baseball Coaches Poll
Rank	Institution (1st place Votes)	Pts.
1.	Ferrum (4)	33
2.	Methodist (2)	31
3.	Christopher Newport (1)	29
4.	N.C. Wesleyan	18
5.	Shenandoah	17
6.	Greensboro	13
7.	Averett	6