Ragin? Cajun News

5/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

BASEBALL PLACES TWO ON ALL-SBC SQUAD...May 21, 2002

MOBILE, Ala. -- Louisiana's Ragin' Cajun baseball team placed two players on the All-Sun Belt Conference first team it was announced Tuesday evening.

Corey Coles, who has been among the league leaders in hitting for much of the season, joined South Alabama's Ryan Mulhern and Middle Tennessee's Justin Sims on the first team. Cajun left-hander Andy Gros, meanwhile, was a first-team starting pitcher selection.

Coles, a sophomore from Lafayette, had a breakthrough season. After spending last season as a mid-week starter and spot conference reliever only, Coles recorded 78 hits during the regular season and also had six home runs and 43 RBIs. He has tallied at least two hits in seven of his last 10 games. He has also recorded 24 multi-hit games this year.

As a pitcher, Coles was 5-1 with a 2.35 ERA. He made three starts in SBC action and had two saves.

Gros, meanwhile, developed into the Cajuns' most dependable pitcher. Used early on as a reliever, the Morgan City native was forced into the starting rotation due to injuries.

As a starter, the crafty southpaw went 8-2 with a 2.20 ERA. He recorded a shutout against nationally ranked LSU in March and also handed the Cajuns big wins at then-20th-ranked Florida International. Overall, Gros is 10-3 with a 2.28 ERA.

South Alabama led the way with six All-SBC selections, including five on the second team. Western Kentucky's Ryan Bicondoa was named SBC Pitcher of the Year, while FIU's Brad Eldred got Player of the Year honors. WKU's Joel Murrie was tabbed as Coach of the Year.

--LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE--