RELEASE DATE: 1/08/09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mansfield ranked 39^th in NCAA Division II Top 40 preseason poll – Irv Sleighter named Atlantic Region Pre-Season All-American

MANSFIELD – The Mansfield University baseball team season is ranked 39^th in the Collegiate Baseball NCAA Division II Coaches Top 40 preseason poll.

In addition, senior pitcher Irv Sleighter was selected as a preseason All-American in the Atlantic Region.

Mansfield is coming off a 31-20 record in 2008 and the Mountaineers return seven starting position players and their entire pitching staff from last season.

Sleighter was named 1^st Team All-PSAC East and 2^nd Team All-Atlantic Regional honors last season after posting a 6-2 record with a 2.40 ERA. He struck out 34 batters while walking just nine.

Senior Cody Stinger, who sat out most of last season with an injury, was listed as Players to Watch in the region while freshman pitcher Jordan Garcia was listed among Newcomers to watch.

Mansfield opens the 2009 season on Feb. 13 at Concord (WV) University.