MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Alabama State baseball team was selected to finish first in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division, while six players were named to preseason All-SWAC team.The Southwestern Athletic Conference preseason team was announced Monday, and was voted on by the league's 10 head coaches and sports information contacts.
"We're honored to be picked to finish first, but we all know there are some very good teams in our division," third-year Hornets' Head Coach Mervyl Melendez said. "The story will be told on field in between the lines throughout the season. It's nice to see that we have a quality team with talented players, but you just have to go play."
T.J. Renda was named Preseason Pitcher of the Year and Emmanuel Marrero was named Defensive Preseason Player of the Year.
Renda (6-0, 200, Jr., Orlando, Fla.), a preseason first-team All-SWAC selection, was a 2013 first-team All-SWAC, SWAC player of the year, and a first team American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) selection. He recorded a 9-1 record with a 2.19 ERA. He was a two-time SWAC Player of the Week and a Collegebaseballinsider.com Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week. Last year's weekly awards followed Renda's season-opening no-hitter against Chicago State when he recorded a career-high 15 strikeouts. Renda led the SWAC in strikeouts (85), wins (nine) and ERA (2.38).
Marrero (6-0, 190, Jr.; Caguas, Puerto Rico), who also earned preseason second-team All-SWAC honors, finished last season with a .953 fielding percentage along with 63 putouts. He led ASU with 118 assists and was second on the team in fielding double plays with 14.
"We are happy for T.J. and Emmanuel for the honors that they have received, as well as their teammates that were selected," Melendez said. "Now the real work begins for them because they have to go out there and get it done."
Joining Renda on the All-SWAC first team are outfielders Waldyvan Estrada and Dillon Cooper, and catcher Richard Gonzalez.
Estrada (6-0, 205, Jr.; Loiza, Puerto Rico) was a 2013 second-team All-SWAC and second team ABCA selection. He finished first in the SWAC in RBI (51) and second in total bases (95), home runs (seven) and RBI (68).
Cooper (5-11, 220, Soph.; Orlando Fla.) was the 2013 SWAC Freshman of the Year a 2013 Louisville Slugger Division I Freshman All-American. Cooper hit .301 with three home runs, 26 RBIs and 59 hits.
Gonzalez (C, 5-10, 205, Jr.; Caguas, Puerto Rico) finished first in the SWAC in runners picked off with seven in 2013 and was second in on-base percentage (.472). Gonzalez led the Hornets in hitting with a .348 batting average.
Joining Marrero on the All-SWAC second team was third baseman Branden Castro.
Castro (6-2, 220, Soph., Orlando, Fla.) saw action in 46 games with 45 starts. He hit .251 with two HRs, 24 RBIs and 44 hits.
The Hornets open the 2014 season at home this Friday in a three-game series against Eastern Kentucky. First pitch Friday and Saturday is scheduled for 6 p.m., with Sunday's game set for a 1 p.m. start.
COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
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