Feb. 5, 2004

The George Mason University baseball team begins its season in two weeks but already the accolades are pouring in for a handful of players.

Junior first baseman Chris Looze was tabbed by Collegiate Baseball as its preseason Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. The publication also picked the Patriots to finish third in the CAA.

Looze also picked up several preseason honors from Baseball America. He was named preseason all-conference and he was selected to be the best defensive first baseman in the conference. He also won their "Best Raw Power" award.

Two-thirds of the remaining infielders were also honored with preseason all-conference selections as junior third baseman Nick Shimer and senior shortstop Jeff Palumbo received those distinctions. Palumbo was also named best defensive shortstop. Junior outfielder Matt Cooksey was named the conference's fastest baserunner and it's top defensive outfielder. On the pitching side, Jake Glanzmann was named all-conference and the lefthander also was ranked as the CAA's fifth-best prospect.

The season opens on February 20 when the Patriots travel to Mt. Pleasant, S.C. where they will play Gardner-Webb at 1 p.m.