Jan. 16, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - After winning a program-record 49 games and its first-ever Atlantic 10 title, Charlotte has been picked by the league's head coaches to win the 2008 A-10 Baseball Championship, it was announced today.

The 49ers outscored their three opponents by a 44-9 margin in three victories at the 2007 A-10 Championship. Winners of a league-record 23 games in Conference play a year ago, Charlotte is led by senior outfielder and preseason first-team All-American Brad McElroy and senior infielder Shayne Moody, the Most Outstanding Player of the 2007 Championship.

Richmond was tabbed for second by the league's head coaches, followed by Xavier and Rhode Island. Fordham, which finished runner-up at the 2007 Championship, was picked fifth.

The six-team, double-elimination Championship will be held May 21-24 at Campbell's Field in Camden, N.J. A different team has seized the A-10 Championship in each of the last eight years.

Baseball (2007 Overall/A-10 record in parentheses)
1. Charlotte* (49-12/23-4)
2. Richmond (32-28/18-9)
3. Xavier (29-31/17-10)
4. Rhode Island (23-29/16-11)
5. Fordham (35-22/19-8)
6. George Washington (23-30-1/14-13)
7. Dayton (21-33/9-18)
8. St. Bonaventure (25-27/14-12)
9. Massachusetts (22-25/13-14
10. Saint Louis (16-37/12-14)
11. Temple (18-37/9-18)
12. Duquesne (22-29/10-17)
13. La Salle (17-32/8-19)
14. Saint Joseph's (10-39/6-21)