Jan. 23, 2004

Charleston, SC - Chris Ard, Chip Cannon and Matt Matulia were all recognized in Baseball America's 2004 College Preview that is on newsstands now through February 15.

Ard, who hit .396 in 2003, and Cannon, who tallied 12 home runs and 60 runs batted in last season, were both named to BA's Southern Conference preseason all-league squad. Ard took honors at third base after having a breakout season as a sophomore. He connected for a 27-game hitting streak falling one shy of The Citadel record of 28 consecutive games. Ard earned the laurel of Baseball America's best sophomore third baseman at the mid-point of the 2003 campaign.

Cannon, who was named one of the top-ten professional prospects in the Coastal Plain League this past summer according to Baseball America, took the nod at first base. Cannon blasted his way into fifth all-time on The Citadel home run charts with 23 as he recorded 12 as a junior. He led the 2003 Bulldogs in five offensive categories, including homers (12), RBI (60), and slugging percentage (.612), while also posting a 3-4 record and a 2.95 earned run average as a starter. Cannon, along with sophomore shortstop Matt Matulia, have been listed in Baseball America's top-ten list of best professional prospects in the SoCon. Cannon was ranked eighth, while Matulia, who hit .303 and led the team with five triples, was ranked the fourth best prospect in the league. He started every game at short as a freshman and was tops on the squad with 160 defensive assists.

In Baseball America's "Best Tools" chart, Ard earned the honor of being the SoCon's "best defensive third baseman", while Cannon is slated to have the "best raw power" of any hitter in the conference.

The Bulldogs were picked fourth behind UNC Greensboro, Western Carolina and Georgia Southern, respectively. College of Charleston was fifth, while SoCon newcomer Elon was slated six. Furman, Davidson, East Tennessee State, Appalachian State and Wofford rounded out the league in that order.

The Citadel's first series will be on Saturday, February 14 at 2 pm and Sunday, February 15 at 1 pm, as they take on UNC Charlotte in a two-game series in Riley Park.