Furman's Norman, Mitchell Tabbed Preseason All-Southern Conference

Greenville, S.C.-Furman catcher Derek Norman and pitcher David Mitchell were named to the preseason All-Southern Conference baseball team the league office announced Thursday. Norman, a senior, was named first team all-league while Mitchell garnered second team honors.

Norman, a native of Knoxville, Tenn., batted .309 with 19 doubles and 38 RBI on his way to second team all-league honors in 2003. The versatile performer who has played catcher, third base and second base in his career at Furman belted four home runs as a junior. Norman enters 2004 needing just 19 hits to become Furman's all-time leader and 14 runs to surpass Jim Morrill and Jody Wade for most career runs scored. The Paladin catcher rests just 42 RBI shy of a new school record and 13 doubles short of the current standard.

Mitchell, a sophomore from Houston, Texas, fashioned an outstanding freshman campaign. The righthander posted a 3-3 record with seven saves an a 1.12 ERA on his way to earning first team All-SoCon accolades. Opponents batted only .138 against Mitchell who worked 32 innings in 27 appearances as the Paladins' closer.

Furman Baseball, coming off its best season in team history with wins over N.C. State, Clemson, and South Carolina, opens its season February 14 against High Point.

Preseason All-SoCon First Team
SP John Carroll, Georgia Southern
SP Scooter Michael, UNC Greensboro
SP Derrick Hawk, Western Carolina
RP Jarrett Santos, UNC Greensboro
C Derek Norman, Furman
1B Chip Cannon, The Citadel
2B Todd Roper, Western Carolina
SS Andy Howdeshell, East Tennessee State
3B Chris Ard, The Citadel
OF Ryan Gordon, UNC Greensboro
OF James Payne, Georgia Southern
OF Sam Navarro, Davidson
OF Jay Maule, UNC Greensboro
DH Grant Burruss, Georgia

Southern Preseason All-SoCon Second Team
SP Brandon McDowell, Western Carolina
SP Matt Soale, College of Charleston
RP David Mitchell, Furman
C Scott Holloway, Wofford
1B Steve Casey, Wofford
2B Jon Aughey, The Citadel
SS Wayne Kilmer, Western Carolina
3B Chris Davis, Western Carolina
OF Evan Tartaglia, Elon
OF Trent Weathers, The Citadel
OF Matt Nelson, Western Carolina
DH Steve Calicutt, East Tennessee State

Player of the Year: Ryan Gordon, OF/P, UNCG

Pitcher of the Year: Jarrett Santos, UNCG