PBC announces preseason All-Conference diamond teams

By Michael G. Hawkins

AUGUSTA, GA – The Peach Belt Conference has announced the 2009 preseason baseball and softball All-Conference teams from the league office in Augusta. Francis Marion University placed a pair of players on the baseball squad and three on the softball team.

Eleven players from the conference’s 10 teams were named to the baseball squad, while six schools were represented on the softball team with FMU having the most honorees. Francis Marion was one of three schools with multiple members on the baseball team.

FMU senior Jared Barkdoll was named as the PBC’s baseball catcher and sophomore Preston Shuey was selected as the first baseman. On the softball squad, FMU newcomer Tamela Bell was honored at first base, while senior Shannan Tyson was named at shortstop and junior Jessica Birchmeier was selected as one of three outfielders.

Barkdoll was named All-Conference, All-Region and received a Rawlings/ABCA Gold Glove in 2008 for his work behind the plate. He hit .362 with seven home runs and 50 RBIs, and was ranked fifth in the PBC in on-base percentage and scored 39 runs.

Shuey was named the 2008 PBC Freshman of the Year after hitting .344 with 55 RBIs and 36 runs scored in 52 games for the Patriots. Shuey had a .532 slugging percentage with seven home runs and 14 doubles and posted a .966 fielding percentage.

Bell, a senior, transferred from Columbus State University to FMU for her final year. In 2008, she hit .333 with seven doubles, one home run, and 18 RBIs. She scored 16 runs, and in the field made only two errors in 311 chances for a .994 fielding percentage.

Tyson was a 2008 All-Region and All-Conference pick after hitting .377 as the lead-off batter for the Patriots. She scored 38 runs, tied a school single-season record with 21 doubles, hit one home run and drove in 28 runs. She was also one of the 100 toughest to strike out in NCAA Division II.

Birchmeier, also an All-Conference and All-Region selection last year, batted .383 with 32 runs scored, 13 doubles, four home runs, 42 RBIs, and a .428 on-base percentage.

FMU opens its baseball season Feb. 1 at home against Valdosta State University, while the Patriot softball squad opens at the Early Bird Tournament in Aiken on Feb. 7-8.


2009 PBC Preseason All-Conference Baseball Team
First Base – Preston Shuey, Francis Marion
Second Base – Ken Raborn, USC Aiken
Third Base – Andre Airich, North Georgia
Shortstop – Chandler Snell, GCSU
Catcher – Jared Barkdoll, Francis Marion
Outfield – Craig Brisson, North Georgia
Outfield – Shannon Wilkerson, Augusta State
Outfield – Josh Wilson, Armstrong Atlantic State
Designated Hitter – Richard Pirkle, GCSU
Starting Pitcher – Danny Davidson, Columbus State
Relief Pitcher – Ryan Kirkman, UNC Pembroke

2009 PBC Preseason All-Conference Softball Team
First Base – Tamela Bell, Francis Marion
Second Base – Laura Voyles, North Georgia
Third Base – Jelena Shaw, UNC Pembroke
Shortstop – Shannan Tyson, Francis Marion
Catcher – Jessica Strickland, USC Aiken
Outfield – Sherquita Bostick, GCSU
Outfield – Jessica Birchmeier, Francis Marion
Outfield – Courtney McGuire, North Georgia
Pitcher – Mandy Chandler, GCSU
Pitcher – Martika Elmore, UNC Pembroke
Designated Player – Sam Floyd, Armstrong Atlantic State