University of Houston Athletics
Baseball Picked Second in Conference USA Coaches Poll
1/29/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Jan. 29, 2002
HOUSTON, Texas - If the opinions of the Conference USA baseball coaches count for anything, the 2002 season should be another exciting one for the University of Houston baseball team.
The Cougars, who advanced to their third straight NCAA Regional and finished among the top two leaders in the final C-USA standings for the fifth consecutive year in 2001, were picked second in the 2002 Preseason Baseball Coaches Poll as selected by C-USA head coaches on Tuesday.
UH, which is ranked 27th nationally in Baseball America's preseason top 100 poll, start its season on Feb. 8 with a 4 p.m. meeting against Baylor at the Astros College Classic at Enron Field.
Individually, the Cougars placed three players on the Preseason All-Conference Team. With three players named to the preseason team, the Cougars ranked second to defending champion Tulane.
Sophomore righthander Brad Sullivan, a 2001 All-C-USA honoree, was one of three starting pitchers named to the squad. Infielder Hyung Cho and outfielder Michael Bourn, who were named to various Freshman All-America teams following the 2001 season, were also placed on the preseason team.
The Green Wave, with Preseason Player of the Year Michael Aubrey, was picked to defend its conference title, while 2002 C-USA newcomer East Carolina was picked third. South Florida and Memphis rounded out the top five.
Charlotte's John Maine garnered honors as Preseason Pitcher of the Year.
2002 PRESEASON BASEBALL COACHES POLL
(as selected by C-USA's head coaches)
1. Tulane
2. Houston
3. East Carolina
4. South Florida
5. Memphis
6. Charlotte
7. TCU
8. Southern Miss
9. Louisville
10. Cincinnati
11. UAB
12. Saint Louis
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Michael Aubrey, Tulane (Sophomore, Outfielder/Pitcher)
PITCHER OF THE YEAR
John Maine, Charlotte (Junior, Righthander)
ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
P John Maine Jr. Charlotte
P Sam Narron Jr. East Carolina
P Brad Sullivan So. Houston
RP Will Brinson Sr. East Carolina
C Chris Hamblen Jr. Cincinnati
IF Hyung Cho So. Houston
IF Anthony Giarratano So. Tulane
IF Adam Haley Jr. Louisville
IF James Jurries Sr. Tulane
IF Myron Leslie So. South Florida
OF Michael Bourn So. Houston
OF Jeff Cook Jr. Southern Miss
OF Jon Kaplan Jr. Tulane
UT Michael Aubrey So. Tulane
