JONESBORO, ARK. (1/30/20) – Benton, Ark., native Jack Jumper was named to the 2020 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference baseball team, while the Red Wolves were picked to finish sixth in the West Division of the leagues' Coaches Preseason Poll, announced Thursday.
 
Last season, Jumper tossed 43.1 innings, in relief, on 27 appearances, registering a team-best 1.87 ERA. Jumper went 2-3 on the year, as he registered 38 strikeouts against 18 walks. Jumper recorded two saves on the season as opposing batters only registered a .161 average against the junior.
 
South Alabama received six first-place to win the East, with 62 points. Coastal Carolina was chosen to finish runner-up in the division, with 61 points, followed by Georgia Southern in third with 50 points. Troy trailed in fourth (41 points), Appalachian State in fifth (23 points) and Georgia State in sixth (15 points).
 
UT Arlington was the favorite to win the West with 3 first-place votes and 62 points, while Louisiana followed in second with 57 points and five first-place votes. Texas State was picked to finish third with 55 points and three first place votes. Little Rock was picked fourth (39 points), Monroe was picked fifth (25 points) and The Red Wolves rounded out the division in sixth, with 18 points. 
 
2020 Sun Belt Conference Baseball Coaches' Preseason Poll
first-place votes in parentheses
 
EAST DIVISION
1. South Alabama (6) - 62 pts
2. Coastal Carolina (4) - 61 pts
3. Georgia Southern (2) - 50 pts
4. Troy - 41 pts
5. Appalachian State - 23 pts
6. Georgia State - 15 pts
 
WEST DIVISION
1. UT Arlington (3) - 58 pts
2. Louisiana (5) - 57 pts
3. Texas State (3) - 55 pts
4. Little Rock (1) - 39 pts
5. ULM - 25 pts
6. Arkansas State - 18 pts
 
2020 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Baseball Team
Drake Nightengale, South Alabama (Senior, Starting Pitcher, Hattiesburg, Miss.)
Zach McCambley, Coastal Carolina (Junior, Starting Pitcher, Mount Pocono, Pa.)
Levi Thomas, Troy (Senior, Starting Pitcher, Cullman, Ala.)
Andrew Papp, Appalachian State (Senior, Relief Pitcher, Raleigh, N.C.)
Jack Jumper, Arkansas State (Senior, Relief Pitcher, Benton, Ark.)
Kale Emshoff, Little Rock (RS-Senior, Catcher, Robstown, Texas)
Kaleb DeLatorre, South Alabama (Senior, First Base, Fort Scott, Kan.)
Luke Drumheller, Appalachian State (Sophomore, Second Base, Charlotte, N.C.)
Hayden Cantrelle, Louisiana (Junior, Shortstop, Lafayette, La.)
Garrett Scott, Little Rock (RS-Senior, Third Base, Spring, Texas)
Mason McWhorter, Georgia Southern (Senior, Outfielder, Cumming, Ga.)
Ethan Wilson, South Alabama (Sophomore, Outfielder, Andalusia, Ala.)
Rigsby Mosley, Troy (Junior, Outfielder, Maitland, Fla.)
Will Hollis, Texas State (Senior, Designated Hitter, McKinney, Texas)
Andrew Beesley, ULM (Senior, Utility, Natchez, Miss.)
 
2020 Preseason Player of the Year
Ethan Wilson, South Alabama (Sophomore, Outfielder, Andalusia, Ala.)
 
2020 Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Drake Nightengale, South Alabama (Senior, Starting Pitcher, Hattiesburg, Miss.)
 
Arkansas State will open the 2020 campaign at Tomlinson Stadium against Stephen F. Austin (Feb. 14-16). 
 
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