The Albany State University baseball team has received votes in the NCAA Division II Top 10 South Region (preseason) Poll compiled by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) on Thursday January 30.
The Golden Rams finished last season 32-20, with a 21-1 record in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) to finish first in the Eastern Division standings. ASU made it to the conference championship game but fell short in their quest to win a national title.
Albany State is preparing to open the 2020 season on the road against Emmanuel College and the University of West Alabama in Franklin Springs, Georgia on January 31 – February 1, 2020 with a scheduled three-game, three-team matchup. All games can be viewed via Black College Nines Live Event page.
The Rams are hoping for big things from it’s returning core of players from last season’s team. On the hill, Albany State will be lead by returnees Malik Barrington, Michael Reddick, and Brock Rountree, along with utility player Chasen Roulhac. At the plate the Rams are hoping for big things from outfielder Kevin Bryant with a .346 average, Gabriel McKenzie, Peter Setterich, and infielder Tate Thompson. Bryant, Reddick and Barrington were named to the 2020 Black College Nines’ Pre-Season Elite list.
The NCBWA South Region Preseason Poll…
| SOUTH REGION | ||||
| Rank | Team (1st Place Votes) | 2019 Record | Pts | Prev |
| 1 | Tampa (10) | 45-14 | 100 | 2 |
| 2 | Delta State | 42-14 | 85 | 3 |
| T3 | Nova Southeastern | 34-17 | 75 | 5 |
| T3 | West Florida | 37-18 | 75 | 1 |
| 5 | Florida Southern | 23-27 | 55 | NR |
| 6 | Mississippi College | 28-17 | 42 | 7 |
| 7 | Valdosta State | 32-23 | 41 | 9 |
| 8 | Embry-Riddle, Fla. | 29-22 | 36 | 6 |
| 9 | Florida Tech | 29-18 | 16 | 10 |
| 10 | Barry | 29-17 | 8 | 8 |
| Receiving Votes: Saint Leo (25-25) 5 points; Alabama-Huntsville (27-21) 4 points; Albany State (30-18) 3 points; Eckerd (31-19) 2 points; Spring Hill (26-21) 2 points; Montevallo (23-28) 1 point. | ||||
| Dropped Out: Eckerd (4th). | ||||