Catawba, Tusculum Earn Spots in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s Preseason Poll

TUCSON, Ariz. – Catawba has been ranked No. 13 and Tusculum No. 17 in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's 2013 preseason poll, the publication recently announced.

Catawba, coming off a memorable run to the 2012 NCAA Division II Baseball World Series, tied for 13th in the poll with St. Cloud State. The Indians finished 2012 with an overall record of 45-17 and placed second in the SAC standings at 23-4.

Catawba earned an at-large selection to the NCAA Baseball Championship, and then went on to win four elimination games en route to reaching the World Series. The Indians won two games in the World Series before being eliminated.

Catawba will be led in 2013 by returning All-SAC selections Ethan Satterfield in the outfield, DH Garrett Furr and starting pitcher Nick Lomascolo.

Tusculum, meanwhile, is coming off a 2012 season in which it won the SAC championship with a 24-3 conference record. The Pioneers – who went 48-10 overall – also won the 2012 Food Lion SAC Baseball Tournament title.

After receiving an automatic-qualification bid to the NCAA Championship, TC reached the event's third round before being eliminated by Catawba.

Tusculum is set to return three 2012 All-SAC selections this season – third baseman Cade Stallings, relief pitcher John-Austin Shepard and starting pitcher Taylor Rakes.

Defending national champion West Chester is the poll's No. 1 team.

[Complete 2013 Collegiate Baseball Newspaper preseason poll]