CONWAY, S.C. – Coastal Carolina baseball's Derek Bender and Caden Bodine were named to the 2024 NCBWA Division I Preseason first and second teams, respectively, it was announced by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) on Tuesday.
 
In 62 games last season, Bender, a 2023 All-Sun Belt first-team selection, hit .341 with a total of 86 base hits on the season. He led the team with 83 RBIs, 19 home runs, 160 total bases, and a .635 slugging percentage. He was second on the team in hits and triples (2), fifth in runs scored (61), and sixth in doubles (13). His 83 RBIs led the Sun Belt Conference, while his 86 hits ranked fourth in hits, fifth in home runs, and 10th in slugging percentage.


A 2023 All-Sun Belt first-team selection, Bodine is the leading returner from the Chants' team a year ago in which he played in 56 games while starting in 55 as the catcher or designated hitter. He was second on the team in hitting at .367 average, third on the team with 79 hits and 17 doubles, and fifth with 11 home runs and 47 RBI. He was third on the team with a .609 slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .546. His 65 runs scored ranked third on the team and the Sun Belt for the year. He struck out just 21 times in 215 plate appearances.
 
Coastal will open the 2024 season by hosting the Baseball at the Beach tournament. The Chants will meet George Mason on opening day, Indiana on Saturday, and Duke on Sunday to close out the weekend.
 
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