FAMU Quartet Makes Preseason All-MEAC Team

NORFOLK, Virginia – Four Florida A&M University Rattler Baseball players were named Friday to the 2017 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Preseason All-Star team, as selected by the school’s coaches and sports information directors.

First baseman/catcher Brian Davis, third baseman Ben Ellzey and sophomore outfielder Willis McDaniel were first-team selections from FAMU, while catcher/designated hitter Jacky Miles, Jr., was named to the second team.

Davis, a 5-10, 195-pound junior from Pensacola, Fla., hit .370 in 51 games a year ago, seven (7) homers, 14 doubles and 44 runs driven in.

Ellzey, a 6-0, 165-pound senior from Ocala, Fla., led the club a year ago with a .388 average in 50 games, with four (4) homers, 11 doubles and 42 RBI.

Willis, a 5-9, 165-pound sophomore speedster from Tallahassee’s Lincoln High, dazzled in his collegiate debut, homering in his first official at-bat, en route to finishing with a .291 in 48 games, with three (3) homers, five (5) doubles, one triple and 27 RBI.

FAMU ATHLETICS

Miles, a 6-0, 205, Sr., from Graceville, Fla., hit .328 in 50 games, belting four (4) homers, a pair (2) of triples, 10 doubles to go with 42 RBI.

FAMU, which finished 31-21 overall a year ago, while winning their third consecutive MEAC Southern Division title with a sterling 19-5 conference mark, has been picked to finish second in the 2017 division race behind archrival Bethune-Cookman.

The Rattlers garnered six (6) first place votes and 74 total points, with Bethune-Cookman finishing first in the balloting with 82 points and 10 first place votes.

Norfolk (Va.) State, the defending Northern Division champion, was picked to win the upper half again in 2017, collecting 69 total points, and 15 first place votes.

FAMU will open its fourth season under baseball firebrand Jamey Shouppe with a three-game home series against Wofford (S.C.) College, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 17, 18 and 19 at Moore-Kittles Field.

Game One of the series will start at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 17, while Saturday’s and Sunday’s games will start at 1:00 p.m.

The Rattlers will open MEAC play in a three-game road series Saturday and Sunday, March 11-12 against the rival B-CU Wildcats at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida.

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS