VIDEO: Tom Griffin Interview

ROCK HILL, S.C. – In the preseason coaches poll released this morning by the South Atlantic Conference, Carson-Newman was ranked sixth after finishing the 2014 campaign in eighth place.

"Everyone has those high expectations all over the country," head coach Tom Griffin said. "For us we have been focusing on today and the process. Honestly we haven't even mentioned it to our players. They haven't even asked. They could care less about it because it means nothing."

The Eagles went 21-25 last year overall with a 11-17 SAC record in a season that featured the loss of a weekend starter a month prior to the season and an injury to outfielder Cody Fox (Seymour, Tenn.).

Griffin's group returns six starting position players and a pair of weekend starters. The roster features seven seniors that expect to play large roles this season.

"It's a new year so there is obviously optimism," Griffin said. "I think our guys through adversity learned how to deal with that. I think our attitudes have been process-oriented versus stat-oriented. Take care of today. We are just a year older. I think that's the only difference right now. Experience goes a long way. We feel good about our team. We feel good about our chemistry."

Seven of the team's top hitters in terms of batting average return led by preseason first team All-SAC selection Bo Ausmus (Jefferson City, Tenn.) while the top four pitchers in terms of earned run average come back led by expected ace Quinton Yocom (Cable, Ohio).

The pick to win the conference with nine of the 11 first place votes are the Catawba Indians who finished 33-18 a season ago claiming a share of the regular season crown while defeating the Wingate Bulldogs 10-0 Food Lion SAC Baseball Tournament Championship game a season ago. Catawba was the No. 6 seed in the NCAA Southeast Regional Tournament.

Wingate and Tusculum picked up the remaining first place votes as they were picked second and third. Newberry and Lincoln Memorial finished just above Carson-Newman at fourth and fifth.

Following the Eagles were Anderson, Lenoir-Rhyne, Mars Hill, Coker and Brevard to round out the poll.

Carson-Newman opens regular season play one week from today with a trip to Gaffney, S.C. to take on the Limestone Saints in a 2 p.m. first pitch.

Rk    Team (first-place votes)               Points

1.     Catawba (9)                                          119

2.     Wingate (1)                                          109

3.     Tusculum (1)                                          95

4.     Newberry                                               94

5.     Lincoln Memorial                                  93

6.     Carson-Newman                                    72

7.     Anderson                                                58

8.     Lenoir-Rhyne                                         57

9.     Mars Hill                                                  49

10.  Coker                                                       45

11.  Brevard                                                   34

- CN -