Eagles Picked Third in the East, Jackson Named Starting Pitcher All-Sun Belt
2/15/2021 1:00:00 PM | Baseball
NEW ORLEANS, La. - On Monday afternoon the Sun Belt Conference announced its 2021 Baseball Preseason Poll and conference awards. The Eagles tallied 51 points and one first place vote in the East Division.
In 2020 the Eagles were just finding their groove before the pandemic shut down the season. Georgia Southern was 11-5 on the season, fresh off a sweep of No. 3 Georgia and carried a seven-game winning streak into the opening weekend of conference play.
Currently the Eagles hold the sixth-longest active winning streak in college baseball entering opening weekend on Feb. 19. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. from J.I. Clements Stadium against No. 19 Tennessee.
The Sun Belt Conference also revealed its 2021 Preseason Players of the Year as well as the All-Conference Team. Senior right-handed pitcher Jordan Jackson was one of three starting pitchers to make the team.
Jackson finished the 2020 shortened season with a 3-1 record with a 1.57 ERA. The righty made his debut on opening night, pitching five innings of three-hit baseball. He struck out nine batters and picked up the win as the Eagles blanked Ball State. Jackson tallied 23 innings of work, allowing four runs on 12 hits and striking out 24 batters. Opponents batted .158 against the Eagles Friday night starter in 2020.
East Division
Coastal Carolina - 69 (10)
South Alabama - 51 (1)
Georgia Southern - 51 (1)
Troy - 44
Appalachian State - 21
Georgia State - 16
West Division
Texas State - 65 (6)
UTA - 58 (4)
Louisiana - 52 (2)
Little Rock - 33
ULM - 27
Arkansas State - 13
