Written by Edythe Bradley

Two Albany State University Golden Rams have been named to the 2012 SIAC Preseason Baseball All-Conference Team, which was selected by the SIAC Baseball Coaches Association. Highlighting the 2012 team is ASU senior third baseman William Smalls. Catcher Richey Harris was named to the Second Team.

Last season, Smalls led the SIAC with nine home runs and 56 runs batted in while ranking second with a .718 slugging percentage. The 2011 SIAC Player of the Year also led the conference with 69 hits and tied for the league lead with 17 doubles while batting .406 from the plate. Smalls also finished with a .500 on-base percentage while helping lead the Golden Rams to a 10-5 record in the SIAC, 27-23 overall, and berth in the SIAC Championship game.

Harris batted in 43 runs, including five homeruns for the Golden Rams. The sophomore from Fayetteville, Ga. recorded 50 hits and scored 30 runs.

Claflin University led the preseason team with five total selections, including three first-team selections, followed by 2011 SIAC Tournament Champion Stillman College with four total selections.

The Golden Rams will open on Feb. 3 on the road in a two-day, three-game series against Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The Rams will play the Valdosta State University Blazers in a 5 p.m. single game on Feb. 8 in Valdosta, Ga., before facing Shorter College in a three-game series on Feb. 10-11 in Rome, Ga. The Rams will make their home debut on Feb. 17 in a doubleheader against Selma University. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Rams Park. The Rams will travel to Atlanta, Ga. open SIAC action against Clark Atlanta University in a three-game series on March 10-11. ASU will host its first conference series on March 31 and April 1 against the LeMoyne-Owen College Magicians at Rams Park.

2012 SIAC Preseason Baseball All-Conference Team

First Team

William Smalls               Senior               Shortstop                     Albany State University

Bryan Butcher               Senior               Catcher                         Morehouse College
Kelvin Tanner                Sophomore       First Baseman               Clark Atlanta University
Anthony Jones              Junior               Second Baseman          Miles College
Chauncey Davis            Senior               Third Baseman              Claflin University
Randolph Brown            Senior               Left Fielder                   Claflin University
Dion Bryant                   Senior               Center Fielder                Stillman College
Donald Smith                Senior               Right Fielder                 Claflin University
Jeremy Williams            Junior               Utility                            Tuskegee University
Eric Cordova                 Senior               Starting Pitcher             Benedict College
Jeffrey Jones                Senior               Relief Pitcher                Miles College

Second Team

Rickey Harris                 Sophomore       Catcher                         Albany State University
Brandon Lowe               Sophomore       First Baseman               Morehouse College
Edward Randolph          Sophomore       Second Baseman          Claflin University
Michael Thames            Junior               Shortstop                     Paine College
Christopher Moye          Senior               Third Baseman              Benedict College
Jarius Brown                 Senior               Left Fielder                   Stillman College
Brett Bullard                  Junior               Center Fielder                Claflin University
Raphael Amey               Senior               Right Fielder                 Kentucky State University
Vallmer Jordan              Senior               Utility                            Morehouse College
Josh Cagle                   Senior               Starting Pitcher             Stillman College
Tyler Vails                     Sophomore       Relief Pitcher                Stillman College

ASU’s William Smalls is named to the SIAC pre-season All-Conference team.