ATLANTA, Ga. — Senior first baseman Brian Spear and preseason All-America outfielder Collin Cowgill have been named second-team preseason All-Southeastern Conference by SEbaseball.com, it was announced.

Spear, UK?s top returning hitter with a .358 average, was named the second-team first baseman. The Gary, Ind., native set the Kentucky record for walks in a season with 53 in 2007, while mainly playing second and third base. Spear, who posted the second best on-base percentage (.527) in UK season history, presents the Wildcats an extremely versatile defensive player, capable of playing any infield position including catcher. After showcasing a solid defensive glove and a soft pair of hands, Spear will be well suited as UK?s everyday first baseman.

Cowgill, a preseason All-American and Brooks Wallace National Player of the Year Watch List member, ranks on the SEbaseball.com second-team outfield. After hitting .298 with 16 home runs and 61 RBI, while leading UK to its first SEC Championship in 2006, Cowgill redshirted during 2007 due to injury. Healthy during the summer, Cowgill earned Cape Cod League All-Star honors while teaming with UK right-hander Scott Green to lead the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox to the Cape Cod League Championship.

No. 20 Kentucky opens its season on Friday, February 22, in Mobile, Ala., at the annual Coca-Cola Classic vs. Xavier. The Wildcats open its home-portion of the schedule on Feb. 26 vs. Oakland at Cliff Hagan Stadium.