Release from Georgia State Athletics:
Georgia State’s Matt Rose and Joey Roach were named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference baseball team, selected by the league head coaches and announced Wednesday.
Rose, who was selected as the third baseman on the preseason all-conference team, is one of the nation’s top returning home run hitters after smacking 11 in 2014; only eight returnees in the NCAA hit more last year. The junior from Melbourne, Fla., compiled a .312 batting average with 34 RBI.
The former Freshman All-American was rated the top prospect and top defender in the Valley League last summer. He could also see time on the mound, where the right-hander has compiled a 4-3 record, five saves and a 3.05 earned run average in 20 career appearances.
Roach, the junior catcher from Holly Springs, N.C., is one of only three returning players from last year’s All-Sun Belt first team. The left-handed hitter batted .301 with three homers and 23 RBI while catching virtually every game for the Panthers. He is also an outstanding student who has been on the President’s List or Dean’s List every semester.
“Matt Rose returns after a fantastic sophomore year with 11 home runs, and Joey Roach is our team captain and first team all-conference player. Those guys, along with senior Caden Bailey, are the heart of our order,” head coach Greg Frady said.
UL Lafayette was picked to repeat as Sun Belt champions after reaching the NCAA Super Regionals last spring. Georgia State was eighth in the preseason poll.
Georgia State opens the season Feb. 13 as the Panthers host Fordham at 4 p.m. at the GSU Baseball Complex in the opening game of the Atlanta Challenge, which also includes Liberty and St. John’s.
The Sports Inquirer 
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