Reginald Rogers Named to the 2017 SIAC Preseason Baseball First Team
Atlanta, Ga. (Claflin) — Claflin University’s baseball player Reginald Rogers has been named to the 2016 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) preseason baseball first team. Preseason honors, which were announced Thursday, Feb. 2 by the league office, were voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.
Senior Damien “Rashad” Bivens and junior Lyndale Morley earned second team honors.
Rogers a 6-1, 180, Sr., shortstop from Chicago, IL / Morgan Park HS, led the Panthers to their first-ever SIAC baseball championship last year. Rogers also led his team in hits (58) and runs (43). He hit .322 on the year and recorded 39 RBIs.
Bivens (5-11, 205, Sr., 3B, R/R, Wingate, NC / Forest Hills High School) led the team in homeruns six home runs and 45 RBIs. He batted .315 in 2016.
Morley (6-0, 185, Jr., Utility, Lynchburg, VA/Louisburg College) finished the season with a .318 batting average and collected 41 hits. On the mound, Morley had five wins and led the pitching staff in strikeouts with 38. He was also named the SIAC Tournament Most Valuable Player.
The Panthers, who finished the season with a 24-29 overall record and 13-8 in the SIAC, opened their 2017 campaign last weekend in the Francis Marion Invitational, Friday through Saturday, Feb. 3-4.
Claflin will host will play back-to-back doubleheaders with St. Augustine’s this Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 11 and 12. Saturday’s doubleheader will be played at Historic Mirmow Field in Orangeburg with a first pitch set for 1 p.m. while Sunday’s doubleheader will be played in Raleigh, N.C.
