ATLANTA, Ga. (January 24, 2024) – Winners of the last two Southern Athletic Association regular season titles, Birmingham-Southern was picked by the coaches to take the 2024 crown in the conference preseason poll.
 
The Panthers earned four first-place votes and 45 points to finish atop a very tight ranking. Hendrix was picked No. 2 with 37 points and two first place nods while Rhodes was third with 35 points and the remaining two first place votes.
 
SAA 24 SAA Baseball Preseason Poll
1. Birmingham-Southern – 45 pts. (4)
2. Hendrix – 37 pts. (2)
3. Rhodes - 35 pts. (2)
4. Berry - 34 pts.
5. Centre - 27 pts.
6. Millsaps - 26 pts.
7. Sewanee - 11 pts.
8. Oglethorpe - 8 pts.
 
BSC spent a few weeks as the top-ranked team in Division III, finishing the year 39-11 with a SAA Tournament title and a trip to the regional championship game. The Panthers posted a 14-7 mark in league play. Reigning SAA Pitcher of the Year Hansen McCown and fellow first teamer Josh Leerssen return to lead the Panther’s staff. Veteran head coach Jan Weisberg returns two of his top-five hitters from last season in Jackson Webster (.368 BA) and Ian Hancock (.305 BA).
 
Hendrix was 27-15 last season and rode its pitching staff to a 12-9 mark in league play. The Warriors boasted the second-best ERA in the conference. Rhodes tied for second in the SAA standings at 13-8, leading the league in hitting. The 2023 SAA Player of the Year Dante Messina is back to lead the Lynx this season.
 
Birmingham-Southern has won seven conference regular season titles and five SAA tournament championships. The first round of the 2024 SAA Baseball Championship is slated for April 26-27 with three-game series at the four highest seeds. The double-elimination tournament will be played May 2-4 at the highest remaining seed.
 
Fans can follow SAA baseball all season long with live links on SAA-Sports.com.