SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Feb. 5, 2015) – ETSU sophomore Chris Cook (Kingsport, Tenn.) received Southern Conference honors, while the Buccaneers were picked to finish fourth as the league office released its baseball preseason accolades on Thursday. Cook was placed on the second team preseason list as a third baseman.

Cook, a third baseman/pitcher, was named to the Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team in 2014. The Kingsport native started 47 games for the Blue and Gold last season and posted ETSU’s longest hit streak by hitting safely in 16 straight games from April 9-May 7. The Buccaneer recorded 11 multi-hit games and ranked 39th nationally with five triples. Cook also ranked second on the team in runs (39) and walks (19). Cook belted his first collegiate home run versus Radford on April 23 and had a pair of 3-hit games – versus Northern Kentucky (3/28) and Kennesaw State (5/21).

Western Carolina senior first baseman Jacob Hoyle was named Preseason Player of the Year and UNCG right-hander Ryan Clark received Preseason Pitcher of the Year honors.

The Bucs were picked to finish fourth in the preseason poll, while reigning regular season champion Western Carolina was tabbed to repeat with 137 points (11 first-place votes). Mercer (124 points, three first-place votes) and Samford (117 points, two first-place votes) rounded out the top three.

ETSU opens the 2015 season on Feb. 13 when the Blue and Gold host Eastern Kentucky at Thomas Stadium. First pitch is set for 3:05 p.m.  

For more information on Buccaneer baseball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the baseball page.