Four Rattler baseball players make 2017 Preseason All-MEAC Team

Four Florida A&M University Rattler Baseball players were named to the 2017 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Preseason All-Star team, as selected by the MEAC’s coaches and sports information directors.

First baseman/catcher Brian Davis, third baseman Ben Ellzey and sophomore outfielder Willis McDaniel were first-team selections from FAMU, while catcher/designated hitter Jacky Miles, Jr., was named to the second team.

Davis, a 5-10, 195-pound junior from Pensacola, Fla., hit .370 in 51 games a year ago, seven (7) homers, 14 doubles and 44 runs driven in.

Ellzey, a 6-0, 165-pound senior from Ocala, Fla., led the club a year ago with a .388 average in 50 games, with four (4) homers, 11 doubles and 42 RBI.

Willis, a 5-9, 165-pound sophomore speedster from Tallahassee’s Lincoln High, dazzled in his collegiate debut, homering in his first official at-bat, en route to finishing with a .291 in 48 games, with three (3) homers, five (5) doubles, one triple and 27 RBI.

@ Miles, a 6-0, 205, Sr., from Graceville, Fla., hit .328 in 50 games, belting four (4) homers, a pair (2) of triples, 10 doubles to go with 42 RBI.

FAMU, which finished 31-21 overall a year ago and won its third consecutive MEAC Southern Division title with a sterling 19-5 conference record, has been picked to finish second in the 2017 division race behind archrival Bethune-Cookman.

The Rattlers garnered six (6) first place votes and 74 total points, with Bethune-Cookman finishing first in the balloting with 82 points and 10 first place votes.

Norfolk (Va.) State, the defending Northern Division champion, was picked to win the upper half again in 2017, collecting 69 total points, and 15 first place votes.