Friday, February 04, 2005

            Senior catcher Caleb Moore (Knoxville, Tenn.) was named preseason Southern Conference Player of the Year by both publications. In Baseball America, Moore was also listed as one of the SoCon's top-10 draft prospects, as well as the conference's best pure hitter, best athlete and catcher with the best arm.

            Moore had a phenomenal season in 2004, leading all NCAA Division I players in batting average (.455) and doubles per game (.60). Caleb also hit nine home runs, drove in 45 runs and scored 59 others.

            Baseball America also listed senior infielder Nick Crowe (Johnson City, Tenn.) as the top newcomer in the Southern Conference and as one of the SoCon's top-10 draft prospects. The magazine also named Buccaneer junior Blake Church (Roswell, Ga.) as the conference's best defensive first baseman.

            Crowe transferred to ETSU after three seasons at the University of Tennessee. He hit .301 last season with two home runs, 28 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

Church was ETSU's best run producer in 2004, batting .353 with eight home runs and a team-high 53 RBIs. He also led the team with a .989 fielding percentage, committing just five errors in 442 chances.

            Moore was named as a first-team preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball while Crowe, Church and junior outfielder Shane Byrne (Johnson City, Tenn.) were listed as "top players to watch" in the SoCon in 2005.

            Byrne has a great all-around season in 2004, hitting .330 with six home runs and 39 RBIs. He also stole 13 bases, scored 51 runs and possesses one of the strongest outfield arms in the conference.

"Our players are very well deserving of these preseason honors," said Buccaneer head coach Tony Skole. "It is a great testament to their hard work and dedication to be the best they can possibly be. I am looking forward to watching our ballclub compete this season."

The Bucs open their 2005 season on Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. as they host Niagara in the first of a three-game weekend series at Cardinal Park in Johnson City, Tenn. For ticket information, contact the Buccaneer ticket office at 423-439-ETSU (3878).