CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas’ Jonathan Davis was named this week to the preseason All-Southland Conference baseball team.
Davis, a sophomore from Camden, Ark., was the SLC Freshman of the Year last spring. He is the lone returning player to garner one of the conference’s major individual awards.
Davis, a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, led the Bears and ranked fifth in the Southland with a .350 batting average in 2011. He had a team-high 21 stolen bases to rank fifthin the SLC and 37th in the nation.
Davis led UCA with 43 runs scored, a .522 slugging percentage and a .441 on-base percentage in his first season. He also tied for the team lead with five home runs.
The Bears were picked 12th in the SLC preseason polls by the league’s coaches and sports information directors. Texas State was the No. 1 pick on both polls.
Coaches’ Poll
Team (first-place votes) ..................... Points
1. Texas State (11) ..................... 121
2. Southeastern Louisiana.......... 88
3. Stephen F. Austin.................. 84
4. UTSA .................................. 82
5. Sam Houston State (1) ........ 77
6. Lamar ................................... 67
7. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. 51
8. UT Arlington ............................ 49
9. McNeese State ....................... 43
10. Northwestern State................. 42
11. Nicholls State ...................... 39
12. Central Arkansas ................. 31
SID’s POLL
Team (first-place votes) ..................... Points
1. Texas State (11) ................... 121
2. Stephen F. Austin (1) ......... 92
3. Southeastern Louisiana.......... 88
4. UTSA ...................................... 83
5. Lamar ...................................... 79
6. Sam Houston State................... 74
7. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.... 66
8. UT Arlington ......................... 52
T9. McNeese State ........................ 39
T9. Nicholls State .......................... 39
11. Northwestern State............. 31
12. Central Arkansas .................. 27