Charleston Southern University had three players named to the Big South Conference Preseason All-Conference Team, according to an announcement made Wednesday afternoon. The Buccaneers were also picked to finish fifth in the conference coaches poll ahead of the upcoming baseball season.
The team finished as tournament runner-up last season after losing to top-seeded USC Upstate on championship day. Charleston Southern entered postseason play as the third seed, posting a 14-10 record in Big South games during the regular season.
Outfielder Kain Collins was among those recognized for preseason honors. Collins started 46 games and appeared in 50 last fall, mainly serving as leadoff hitter. He finished with a .356 batting average and a .467 on-base percentage, collecting 67 hits, scoring 59 runs, driving in 18 runs, stealing 21 bases, and drawing 35 walks.
Chandler Tuupo was also selected for preseason recognition. Entering his fourth and final year with Charleston Southern, Tuupo is regarded as one of the top batters in program history. Last season he posted career highs with 60 runs batted in and 48 runs scored, while hitting .289 with a .406 on-base percentage and a .461 slugging percentage.
Tyler Henshaw completed the list of honorees from Charleston Southern. In his second year with the team, Henshaw was previously named Second-Team All-Conference at season’s end. He compiled a 7-1 record as a relief pitcher across 22 appearances totaling 41.2 innings pitched, recording a 5.4 ERA and striking out 34 batters while limiting opponents to a .287 batting average. His ERA at the end of the regular season stood at 3.69.
Charleston Southern is set to open its new campaign on Friday, February 13 against Bucknell University as part of a three-game weekend series.
