BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Defending Gulf South Conference regular-season champion, Delta State, was named as the preseason favorite in the league's 2023 baseball coaches' poll.
The Statesmen topped the rankings with five first-place votes and 130 total points, while Lee, defending GSC tournament champion, was picked second with 127 points and six first-place votes.
In 2022, Delta State complied a 20-7 mark in conference action and 32-17 record overall. Reigning GSC Coach of the Year, Rodney Batts, returns a talented group from the 2023 campaign, headlined by infielder Carson Clowers and starting pitcher Harrison Haley, who earned All-GSC honors.
The Flames meanwhile were 33-23 overall a season ago with a 17-12 record in the Gulf South, en route to capturing there first-ever Gulf South baseball tournament title. Lee returns several familiar faces from last season including a trio of all-conference performers in reliever Sam Fulton, outfielder Dylan Standifer and starting pitcher Jack Nedrow, who was Freshman of the Year.
Montevallo was picked third with 112 points and one first-place vote. Valdosta State followed in fourth with 112 points, while Alabama Huntsville rounded the top five with 97 points.
West Florida came in six after it received one first-place vote and tallied 96 points, followed in order by Auburn Montgomery (83) and Shorter (60). West Georgia was projected at ninth with 56 points, while Mississippi College (46), West Alabama (40) and Union (33) trailed. Christian Brothers rounded out the 13-team field with 12 points.
The conference office also announced the baseball newcomer watchlist and preseason all-conference accolades. Montevallo led the with five preseason All-GSC honorees, including a quartet of First Team picks from a season ago. The list of all-conference names was headlined by UM third baseman Sam Kuchinski, who is reigning GSC co-Player of the Year.
The 2023 baseball season will open February 1 with non-conference action, with Gulf South play slated to begin the weekend of February 17-19. The GSC Baseball Championship is scheduled for May 5-9 and will return to Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala.
2023 GSC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll
First-place votes ( )
1. Delta State (5) – 130 pts
2. Lee (6) – 127
3. Montevallo (1) – 122
4. Valdosta State – 112
5. Alabama Huntsville – 97
6. West Florida (1) – 96
7. Auburn Montgomery – 83
8. Shorter – 60
9. West Georgia – 56
10. Mississippi College – 46
11. West Alabama – 40
12. Union – 33
13. Christian Brothers – 12
2023 GSC Baseball Preseason All-Conference Team
Garrett Bodine*, OF, R-Sr., Alabama Huntsville
Landon Ezzell#, 3B, R-Sr., Alabama Huntsville
Brody Syer#, OF, Sr., Auburn Montgomery
Luke Turner#, SP, Jr., Auburn Montgomery
Carson Clowers*, SS, Jr., Delta State
Harrison Haley#, SP, Jr., Delta State
Sam Fulton#, RP, R-So., Lee
Jack Nedrow*, SP, So., Lee
Dylan Standifer#, OF, R-Jr., Lee
Gino Cozzi# SP, Jr., Montevallo
Sam Kuchinski*, 3B, Sr., Montevallo
Reed Latimer*, OF, Sr., Montevallo
Connor Phelan*, RP, Jr., Montevallo
Jake Smallwood*, C, Sr., Montevallo
Grayson Swanson*, DH, Sr., Union
Josh Bower#, DH, Sr., West Alabama
Salvatore Ferro#, SP, Sr., West Florida
Trent Jeffcoat#, SS, Jr., West Florida
Anthony Calabro#, OF, Jr., West Georgia
* First Team All-GSC in 2022
# Second Team All-GSC in 2022