Jan. 3, 2003

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina junior catcher Landon Powell has been named first team Preseason All-American by Baseball America. Entering his third season with the Gamecocks, Powell is one of three captains on this year’s squad and returned to USC after playing this summer on the USA Baseball National Team.

Powell batted .292 in 2002 with 12 HR and 53 RBI and was also named to the CWS All-Tournament Team. In addition to Baseball America, Powell was also named first team Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American as selected by Collegiate Baseball. Carolina is ranked eighth in the nation by Collegiate Baseball and 14th by Baseball America heading into the 2003 campaign. Over the past three seasons under head coach Ray Tanner, South Carolina has won more games than any team in Division I baseball, with 162 wins. The 2002 Gamecocks set a single-season record for wins finishing with a 57-18 record, reaching the championship game at the College World Series.

Carolina opens the 2003 season on Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. vs. Charleston Southern at Sarge Frye Field. USC has won two of the last three SEC Championships (2002, 2000) as well as three of the last four SEC Eastern Division Titles (2002, 2000, 1999).