MACON, Ga. – The Mercer baseball team received some positive preseason publicity on Wednesday morning when College Baseball Insider released its Atlantic Sun Conference preview.

In voting conducted by the leagues head coaches, Mercer was picked as the team to beat in the A-Sun in 2011.

Coming off the programs fourth conference championship last season, the Bears are looking to become the first team to win back-to-back A-Sun titles since Stetson accomplished the feat in 2005-06.

Several Bears also received individual recognition in the release including senior reliever J.T Odom, junior third baseman Jacob Tanis and junior outfielder Billy Burns.

Mercer opens its 2011 season on Friday, February 18, at 4 p.m. against Big South member Liberty at Claude Smith Field.

To read the rest of the release, click here.