Troy University Athletics
Crane Named Preseason Pitcher of the Year; Joins Lockridge on All-Sun Belt Team
1/31/2018 11:00:00 AM | Baseball
TROY, Ala. – Troy baseball's Andrew Crane has been named the Sun Belt Preseason Pitcher of the Year, the league announced Wednesday. He and outfielder Brandon Lockridge were both selected to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Team, as well.
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Crane, a native of Pascagoula, Miss., receives the honor after being tabbed as the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year, first team All-Sun Belt and second team ABCA All-South Central Region at the conclusion of the 2017 season.
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He set a school and conference record with 40 consecutive scoreless innings – not allowing a run from March 31 to May 26. He also finished fourth nationally and led the league with a 1.47 ERA, while ranking 22nd in the nation and third in the Sun Belt with a 0.96 WHIP.
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Lockridge, a product of Pensacola, Fla., adds another all-conference selection to his resume as he was chosen to the All-Sun Belt First Team for his performances last season.
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One of three Trojans to start in all 56 games of the season, he led the league in hits per game (1.48) and ranked second in hits with 83. He posted a team-high and conference fifth-best .344 batting average, and his 61 singles were the eighth-most in a single-season in Troy history.
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The two preseason all-conference players are the first Trojans to earn the honor since Marc Skinner and David Hall were selected in 2015. Crane is Troy's first Preseason Player of the Year since Logan Pierce in 2013.
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2018 Preseason All-Sun Belt Baseball Team
Andrew Crane (Troy, Senior, Starting Pitcher)
Trae Patterson (UTA, Senior, Starting Pitcher)
Seth Shuman (Georgia Southern, Sophomore, Starting Pitcher)
Dylan Moore (Louisiana, Senior, Relief Pitcher)
Will Olson (UTA, Junior, Catcher)
Wells Davis (South Alabama, Junior, First Base)
Jonathan Ortega (Texas State, Junior, Second Base)
Drew LaBounty (South Alabama, Senior, Shortstop)
Jaylen Hubbard (Texas State, Junior, Third Base)
Brendan Donovan (South Alabama, Junior, Outfielder)
Brandon Lockridge (Troy, Junior, Outfielder)
Travis Swaggerty (South Alabama, Junior, Outfielder)
Omar Salinas (UTA, Senior, Designated Hitter)
Dylan Paul (Texas State, Senior, Utility)
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2018 Preseason Player of the Year
Travis Swaggerty (South Alabama, Junior, OF)
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2018 Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Andrew Crane (Troy, Senior, RHP)
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Troy was also picked to finish fourth in the East Division based on a league-wide coaches' poll. The Trojans finished third in the East and sixth overall last season.
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2018 Sun Belt Conference Coaches' Preseason Poll
first-place votes in parentheses
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EAST DIVISION
1. South Alabama (12) - 72 pts
2. Coastal Carolina - 59 pts
3. Georgia Southern - 43 pts
4. Troy - 41 pts
5. Georgia State - 20 pts
6. Appalachian State - 16 pts
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WEST DIVISION
1. Louisiana (9) - 68 pts
2. UTA (2) - 56 pts
3. Texas State (1) - 51 pts
4. Arkansas State - 36 pts
5. Little Rock - 27 pts
6. ULM - 11 pts
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Crane, a native of Pascagoula, Miss., receives the honor after being tabbed as the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year, first team All-Sun Belt and second team ABCA All-South Central Region at the conclusion of the 2017 season.
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He set a school and conference record with 40 consecutive scoreless innings – not allowing a run from March 31 to May 26. He also finished fourth nationally and led the league with a 1.47 ERA, while ranking 22nd in the nation and third in the Sun Belt with a 0.96 WHIP.
Â
Lockridge, a product of Pensacola, Fla., adds another all-conference selection to his resume as he was chosen to the All-Sun Belt First Team for his performances last season.
Â
One of three Trojans to start in all 56 games of the season, he led the league in hits per game (1.48) and ranked second in hits with 83. He posted a team-high and conference fifth-best .344 batting average, and his 61 singles were the eighth-most in a single-season in Troy history.
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The two preseason all-conference players are the first Trojans to earn the honor since Marc Skinner and David Hall were selected in 2015. Crane is Troy's first Preseason Player of the Year since Logan Pierce in 2013.
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2018 Preseason All-Sun Belt Baseball Team
Andrew Crane (Troy, Senior, Starting Pitcher)
Trae Patterson (UTA, Senior, Starting Pitcher)
Seth Shuman (Georgia Southern, Sophomore, Starting Pitcher)
Dylan Moore (Louisiana, Senior, Relief Pitcher)
Will Olson (UTA, Junior, Catcher)
Wells Davis (South Alabama, Junior, First Base)
Jonathan Ortega (Texas State, Junior, Second Base)
Drew LaBounty (South Alabama, Senior, Shortstop)
Jaylen Hubbard (Texas State, Junior, Third Base)
Brendan Donovan (South Alabama, Junior, Outfielder)
Brandon Lockridge (Troy, Junior, Outfielder)
Travis Swaggerty (South Alabama, Junior, Outfielder)
Omar Salinas (UTA, Senior, Designated Hitter)
Dylan Paul (Texas State, Senior, Utility)
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2018 Preseason Player of the Year
Travis Swaggerty (South Alabama, Junior, OF)
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2018 Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Andrew Crane (Troy, Senior, RHP)
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Troy was also picked to finish fourth in the East Division based on a league-wide coaches' poll. The Trojans finished third in the East and sixth overall last season.
Â
2018 Sun Belt Conference Coaches' Preseason Poll
first-place votes in parentheses
Â
EAST DIVISION
1. South Alabama (12) - 72 pts
2. Coastal Carolina - 59 pts
3. Georgia Southern - 43 pts
4. Troy - 41 pts
5. Georgia State - 20 pts
6. Appalachian State - 16 pts
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WEST DIVISION
1. Louisiana (9) - 68 pts
2. UTA (2) - 56 pts
3. Texas State (1) - 51 pts
4. Arkansas State - 36 pts
5. Little Rock - 27 pts
6. ULM - 11 pts
Players Mentioned
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