NORFOLK, Va. — For the second consecutive year, Savannah State first baseman Trey Sikes has been named the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference Preseason Player of the Year, the league office announced in conjunction with the preseason all-conference squad and predictions.

Joining Sikes on the preseason team is SSU outfielder Mendez Elder.
Sikes, the 2015 MEAC Player of the Year, led the conference in doubles (16). Also, he finished second in total bases (94), tied for second in home runs (seven) and third in RBIs (37). Nationally, Sikes ranked 55th with five sacrifice flies. The Hinesville native played in all 54 games last season, batting .321.

Sikes is entering his senior year with the Tigers. Before coming to SSU, he played a season at South Georgia Community College.
Elder had a .318 batting average a year ago. The Atlanta native had 62 hits with 10 doubles, one triple and two home runs. The rising senior scored 41 runs and drove in 23 runs. He also stole 13 bases in 16 attempts. In the field, Elder had 153 putouts, six assists and only one error.

As a team, SSU was picked to finish third in the MEAC Southern Division. The Tigers were selected to finish behind Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman.

Savannah State opens the 2016 season on Feb. 19, hosting St. Bonaventure in a three-game series.
— Special to the Courier