Pitcher Wrandal Taylor was named Southwestern Athletic Conference preseason pitcher of the year and to the all-conference preseason first team for the 2006 season. Pitcher Matthew Chase and right fielder Anton Daley also earned preseason all-SWAC honors.
Taylor, a 5-10, 190-pound sophomore from Beaumont, Texas, had a 4.56 earned run average while leading the conference with 10 wins and a .710 win-loss percentage.
In other league statistical categories, he led in games started (15), ranked first in innings pitched (100.2) and fourth in strikeouts (71).
Taylor was honored twice last year as SWAC pitcher of the week for his play during the weeks of Feb. 24 and March 17. In addition, he was named to the Louisville Slugger’s Freshman All-American Team, SWAC freshman of the year and selected to the SWAC all-tournament team.
A native of Dallas, Texas, Chase spent one year at Weatherford College before arriving at Prairie View last year.
He has emerged as the team’s number two starter and teamed with Taylor to give the Panthers a solid 1-2 combination. Standing 6-5, this 200-pound junior led the SWAC with a 3.51 ERA and was tied for fourth in the conference with six wins.
He finished the 2005 season tied for third in the conference standings, pitching five complete games. He also struck out 45 batters and held opposing batters to a .277 batting average.
A 6-1, 200-pound senior from Boston, Mass. by way of Western Oklahoma State College, Daley led the SWAC with 12 homers, was third in slugging percentage (.621) and first in total bases (105). Daley also had 17 stolen bases and scored 52 runs.
Last year he reaped first team all-SWAC honors and was selected as the SWAC player of the week for the week of March 24.
“All of these guys are athletes that can make a difference in a game,” said head baseball coach Michael Robertson. “With them on the field we are always in a position to win.