Preseason All-MEAC Predictions

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State baseball team was predicted to finish second in the MEAC Northern Division and four Spartans were named to the preseason all-conference team, the league announced.

Junior pitcher Matt Outman was voted to the preseason All-MEAC first team, while sophomore pitcher Devin Hemmerich, senior shortstop Justin Lee and junior outfielder Andre' Moore were named to the second team in voting by the league's coaches and sports information directors. NSU had the most preseason selections of any conference team.

NSU received three first-place votes and 56 points in the preseason voting, trailing only Delaware State (13 first-place votes, 66 points) in the MEAC North. DSU and NSU have finished 1-2, respectively, in the Northern Division each of the three years the conference has used the divisional split (2012-14).

Outman had a strong debut season for NSU last year, compiling an 8-2 record with a 2.96 earned-run average. The southpaw ranked tied for second in the MEAC in wins, sixth in ERA and seventh in strikeouts (55). He capped his year with two wins in a span of five days in the MEAC Championship, earning all-tournament honors.

Hemmerich, another lefty, was a second-team All-MEAC selection last year at relief pitcher but figures to move into starting rotation this year. He posted a 5-3 record with five saves and a 2.49 ERA, tops on the team and fifth in the conference. Hemmerich also ranked second in the MEAC in saves.

Lee hit .228 last season, when he tied with Moore for the team-lead in runs scored (34). He had nine doubles, two triples, 20 RBI, 20 stolen bases and a .343 on-base percentage. Lee led the MEAC in steals and was caught only twice (20-of-22).

Moore is NSU's leading returning hitter from last season, when he batted .306 with 34 runs scored, 15 RBI and 18 stolen bases in 22 attempts. He also hit a MEAC-leading six triples and tied for fourth in the conference in stolen bases.

Defending MEAC champion Bethune-Cookman was picked to win the Southern Division, followed in order by Florida A&M, Savannah State, North Carolina Central and North Carolina A&T. DSU and NSU were followed in the preseason Northern Division predictions by Coppin State in third place and Maryland Eastern Shore in fourth place.

Savannah State first baseman Charles Sikes was voted the preseason MEAC Player of the Year and Bethune-Cookman pitcher Keith Zuniga was tabbed Pitcher of the Year.

The Spartans open their season with a three-game non-conference series against North Carolina Central on Feb. 14-15 in Durham, N.C.