Date Posted: 1/23/2007

Macon, Ga. – Reigning regular season champion Stetson has been predicted to take not only the Atlantic Sun regular season crown, but also the tournament crown, according to the 2007 Coaches Poll released Tuesday by the conference office. The league’s head coaches also voted Stetson’s Erica Demers Pitcher of the Year and Kennesaw State’s Keri McKee Player of the Year for the Preseason All-Atlantic Sun Team.

The Hatters received six first place votes in the poll and tallied a total of 95 points. Stetson finished with a 45-16 (16-4 A-Sun) record last year, taking the regular season crown for the first time since 1994. Hoping to capitalize on its dominance from a season ago, the Hatters will be looking for the tournament title that has eluded the program since 1988. Following closely in the poll is Kennesaw State, who received three first place votes and a total of 93 points. Campbell received one first place votes and 69 points. Rounding out the top five are Mercer (68) and UNF (62).

In addition to preseason Pitcher of the Year honors, Stetson sophomore Erica Demers was named to the preseason all-conference team. The highly decorated hurler received broad acclaim last season. She was a four-time Pitcher of the Week selection, named Freshman of the Year and received first team All-Conference, All-Freshman and All-Tournament honors. Joining Demers on the preseason all-conference squad from Stetson is Carolina Rojas. Rojas received All-Freshman team honors last year.

Kennesaw State’s Keri McKee also garnered preseason honors in addition to Player of the Year. The senior infielder was a first team All-Atlantic Sun selection a season ago and was the only A-Sun player to hit over .400 for the season. McKee led the league in batting and on-base percentage. Fellow teammates Brittany Matthews, Jennifer Nolan and Kelley Cowart also joined the list, strengthening the Owls’ contingent on the preseason team.

Only four other schools each had players named to the preseason all-conference list. Kelli Rutenbar (UNF), Ashley Parenteau (UNF), Jamie Madruga (Mercer), Jessica Huffman (Campbell) and Jessi Williams (Gardner-Webb) round out the team.

Related Links:
 • Preseason Coaches Poll and All-Atlantic Sun Team