By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With the 2017 baseball season just one week away, the Ohio Valley Conference has released its preseason poll and award winners. Tennessee Tech sophomore outfielder Kevin Strohschein was tabbed as the league's Preseason Player of the Year, representing the Golden Eagles on the Preseason All-OVC Team.
Entering his 14th season at the helm of the Golden Eagles, head coach Matt Bragga's squad was selected to finish fourth in the OVC's preseason poll, earning two first-place votes. Tech was ranked just behind preseason favorites Jacksonville State and Southeast Missouri – the two squads shared the honor for the first time in league history – and third-place selection Austin Peay.
Strohschein proved a cinch selection as the OVC's Preseason Player of the Year after becoming the first player in league history to earn both Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honors last season. The McDonough, Ga. native claimed a plethora of national recognition, including earning a share of the 2016 Louisville Slugger National Co-Freshman Player of the Year award named by Collegiate Baseball newspaper with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Player of the Year, Seth Beer.
The youngster also took home two All-American nods, five Freshman All-American honors and spots on both the All-OVC First Team and OVC All-Freshman Team.
He led the league in RBI (73) and total bases (162) and ranked in the top five in batting average (.393), slugging percentage (.707), hits (90), doubles (21) and home runs (15). He also made just one error all season, posting an impressive .990 fielding percentage with five assists.
The team also returns senior catcher Chris Brown, who had 11 home runs a year ago, senior pitcher Michael Wood who compiled a 4-3 record and 3.47 E.R.A. in 16 appearances, and sophomore pitcher Ethan Roberts who had a 6-1 record, two saves and 2.94 ERA in 16 relief appearances.
The Golden Eagles will kick off the 2017 regular season Friday, Feb. 17, playing host to Toledo at 3 p.m. CT. The four-game series will feature a doubleheader on Saturday, with games at noon and 4 p.m., and a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Photo by Tony Marable
