2010 Expectations Rise as Two Are Selected Preseason All-Conference and Bears Picked Third in A-Sun
4/28/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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2010 A-Sun Pre-Season All-Conference Team
MACON, Ga. – Mercer senior outfielder Holly Oglesbee and junior pitcher Jenni Holtz were
recognized by coaches from the Atlantic Sun Wednesday as
representatives on the 2010 preseason All-Conference team. In
addition to the personal accolades, the Bears also placed third in
the preseason conference standings; the highest ranking for a
Mercer team since 2007 when it was picked fourth.
It is Oglesbee's second straight preseason honor and the
first for Holtz. In preliminary research, it is also the first time
in recent history that two Mercer players have been named to the
preseason all-conference team. The two were also 2009 regular
season First-Team All-Conference selections and are pivotal
components of head coach Mike Raynor's
record-setting team that went 40-19 a season ago.
“It's exciting for the team to get this type of
recognition from the conference coaches,” Raynor said.
“To be ranked this high in for the first time recent history
is a testament to the where this program is headed and all of the
players deserve it.”
Oglesbee, led the Bears offensively last season starting all 58
games with a .309 batting average, 26 RBI, 32 runs scored, and hits
with 59 in her lead-off position. She also ranked second in the
A-Sun in doubles with 17 on the year and was recognized recently by
the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as an Academic
All-American in 2009.
Holtz has quickly solidified her role as a premier pitcher in the
Atlantic Sun in just two seasons in the conference. Last year,
Holtz was tied for first in the A-Sun in wins (23), second in ERA
(1.44) and third in strikeouts (234).
“Jenni and Holly have certainly earned this
recognition,” Raynor said. “They are some of the
hardest working competitors I have coached and we expect a lot from
them this season.”
This year, the Bears return 20 letter-winners and look to be the
first team in school history to post three consecutive 30-plus win
seasons.
“Our conference was the fourth toughest in the country a
season ago, it is very competitive and getting better every
year,” Raynor said. “We are happy to be a part of this
conference and the level of play and if we perform like we can,
stay healthy and get lucky the sky is the limit.”
