AUGUSTA, GA – The Peach Belt Conference has announced the 2009 preseason baseball All-Conference team and North Georgia’s Andre Airich and Craig Brisson were named to the team. The all-conference squad is administered and voted on by the leagues sports information directors.

The preseason team is diverse with players from eight different schools on the team. Only Francis Marion, North Georgia and GCSU placed more than one player on the squad.

Andre Airich received a Rawlings/ABCA Gold Glove award for his play at third base for North Georgia. The junior hit .339 with five home runs and 43 RBIs to go with 81 total hits and 18 doubles. Airich committed only one error in the final 13 NGCSU games, which included their PBC Tournament Championship and the team’s first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Craig Brisson was named PBC All-Conference and All-Region for North Georgia in 2008. The junior outfielder started in all 62 games for the Saints, hitting .356 with eight home runs and 45 RBIs. He led the team with 98 hits and 22 doubles while stealing 24 bases and drawing 31 walks.

The Saints are ranked 17th nationally in the ABCA Division II preseason poll and were picked to finish second in the Peach Belt Conference according to the preseason coaches poll released earlier this week.

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2009 PBC Preseason All-Conference Team
First Base – Preston Shuey, Francis Marion
Second Base – Ken Raborn, USC Aiken
Third Base – Andre Airich, North Georgia
Shortstop – Chandler Snell, GCSU
Catcher – Jared Barkdoll, Francis Marion
Outfield – Craig Brisson, North Georgia
Outfield – Shannon Wilkerson, Augusta State
Outfield – Josh Wilson, Armstrong Atlantic State
Designated Hitter – Richard Pirkle, GCSU
Starting Pitcher – Danny Davidson, Columbus State
Relief Pitcher – Ryan Kirkman, UNC Pembroke