Feb. 15, 2013

OMAHA, Neb. -- Mike Carson, Jake Morton and Jason Hager all earned accolades, in the recently released CollegeBaseballInsider.com Summit League Preseason Preview. The Golden Grizzlies were also named as The Summit League team to beat in the publication, which was based on information provided by league coaches.

Carson was tabbed as the league's biggest power threat and the hitter that opposing teams would least like to face. He was also listed as one of the league's best pure hitters. The senior third baseman hit .303 last season with a .495 slugging percentage. He belted out six home runs and had 22 extra-base hits, driving in 46 runs last season.

Oakland catcher Jake Morton also collected a pair of awards. He was named as the league's best defensive catcher and the best baserunner. Morton was strong behind the plate last season not only blocking balls, but throwing out 14 runners. On the bases Morton stole 13 bases in 16 attempts.

Coming off an All-Tournament performance last season, Jason Hager was named as the league's most underrated pitcher. Hager led the OU staff with 65 strikeouts, including 12 in a single game against IPFW. He finished the league season 4-0 with three complete games.

The Golden Grizzlies finished last season by winning 21 of the final 29 games and posted a program best 15-6 record in Summit League play. The Golden Grizzlies finished second in the league standings and earned the right to host the 2013 Summit League Baseball Championship.

Sixth-year head coach John Musachio, leads the Golden Grizzlies. He was The Summit League Coach of the Year in 2012.

Oakland will host The Summit League Championship for the first time in school history on May 23-25. The Golden Grizzlies have advanced to the tournament in two of the last three seasons.

The season opens for OU with a four-game series at Maryland on Feb. 22-24. The first home game for OU is April 3 against Olivet.

Link to the complete CollegeBaseballInsider.com preview

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