By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With just two weeks separating the Tennessee Tech baseball team from its 2015 schedule and opening day contest against Longwood, preseason rankings and predictions are beginning to fall into place.

And with little surprise involved, one of the Golden Eagles' own has been dubbed the Ohio Valley Conference's Preseason Player of the Year by d1baseball.com.

A four-time All-American last season and Preseason All-American this year, senior shortstop Dylan Bosheers will kick off the year with a target on his back as he looks to lead the Golden Eagles to yet another 40-win season, OVC Championship and more.

As a team, the Tennessee Tech squad was selected third in the website's preseason predictions, with only last year's regular season champion, Southeast Missouri, and last year's tournament champion, Jacksonville State, ranked higher. The Redhawks received the top spot with the Gamecocks holding the No. 2 ranking.

The Golden Eagles come into the 2015 campaign after posting its second straight 40-win season, tying the club records for wins and fielding percentage (.979) established in the 2013 season. Tech also led the nation in three statistical categories, including home runs, scoring and slugging percentage.

Bosheers played a crucial role in the statistical championships, setting career-high marks in batting average, runs scored, hits, home runs, RBI and slugging percentage. He batted .368 in 59 games, scoring 66 runs and driving in 56 more. He tied for third on the team with 11 dingers and finished second with 86 total hits. He also slugged .577 with an on base percentage of .444.

Tech will kick off the 2015 season on Friday, Feb. 13 in a 3 p.m. CST tilt against Longwood.

Photo by Tony Marable