January 18, 2006
Methodist picked a close second in 2006 USA South preseason baseball poll
Monarchs open Austin’s 27th season on Feb. 11 at Flagler

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Don’t look now, but spring is fast approaching and that means baseball.

The USA South Athletic Conference released its preseason poll for the 2006 baseball season, and the Methodist Monarchs were picked to finish second in the seven-team conference. The Monarchs, the defending USA South regular season champion, earned 31 points and two first place votes to finish a close second behind preseason favorite Ferrum, which received four first place votes and 33 points.

Rounding out the poll is Christopher Newport in third with 29 points and one first place vote, followed by North Carolina Wesleyan (18), Shenandoah (17), Greensboro (13) and Averett (six).

Methodist, which finished 30-12 last season and 13-5 in the USA South, open the 2006 season – the 27th season for veteran head coach Tom Austin – at Flagler on Feb. 11. The Monarchs’ home opener is on Feb. 25 in an early USA South showdown against Ferrum at Shelley Field. Methodist returns a stellar pitching staff from last season, anchored by reigning USA South Pitcher of the Year and All-American candidate Ryan Brandt.