University of Houston Athletics
Baseball Picked Fifth in C-USA Preseason Poll
1/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Jan. 28, 2009
IRVING, Texas - The University of Houston baseball team found themselves ranked fifth in the Conference USA Preseason Poll, which was released on Wednesday and is voted on by the leagues coaches.
The reigning 2008 C-USA Tournament Champions received 49 votes in the poll and trailed Rice who was picked first, followed by East Carolina, Southern Miss and Tulane.
Also announced with the poll, was the C-USA Preseason All-Conference Team. Among the selections were junior pitcher Wes Musick and sophomore reliever Chase Dempsay. Musick finished 2008 with an 8-4 record, 4.35 ERA and 87 strikeouts. Dempsay was 8-3 last season with a 2.53 ERA and 11 saves.
This is the second preseason award for Musick. The Lufkin, Texas native was also named to the Preseason Watch List for the Brooks Wallace Award, given to the nation's top collegiate baseball player in conjunction with the College Baseball Hall of Fame's annual induction festivities earlier this season.
Dempsay was named a Preseason All-America Third Team selection earlier this season by Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball and the National College Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).
As a team, the Cougars found themselves receiving votes in the Collegiate Baseball Preseason Poll, released on Dec. 23.
The Cougars open the 2009 season Feb. 20-22 when they play Kansas State in a weekend, non-conference series at Cougar Field. The series begins at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 20, continues at 4 p.m. on Feb. 21 and will wrap up at noon on Feb. 22.
C-USA PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Nate Lape, Marshall (Senior, Outfielder)
C-USA PRESEASON PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Seth Maness, East Carolina (Sophomore, Righthander)
C-USA PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
P Ryan Berry, Jr., Rice
P Seth Maness, So., East Carolina
P Wes Musick, Jr., Houston
RP Chase Dempsay, So., Houston
C Diego Seastrunk, Jr., Rice
IF Brian Dozier, Jr., Southern Miss
IF James Ewing, Sr., Southern Miss
IF Rick Hague, So., Rice
IF Seth Henry, Sr., Tulane
IF Adam Yeager, Sr., Marshall
OF Stephen Batts, Jr., East Carolina
OF Brint Hardy, Jr., UAB
OF Nate Lape, Sr., Marshall
DH/UT Rob Segedin, So., Tulane
