From staff  and wire reports

The South Atlantic Conference announced the results of its preseason football coaches poll on Wednesday.

Carson-Newman was installed as the conference favorite by SAC head coaches. The Eagles collected four of the eighth first-place votes and 52 points in the poll.  The Eagles return 10 of 11 starters from a defense that led the SAC in rushing defense.

  The Eagles  are ranked No. 20 nationally by Lindy’s Sports and are No. 22 according to Street & Smith.

At No. 2 in the poll is  Wingate.  The Bulldogs captured their second SAC football championship in  2017, finishing the season with a record of 9-2 overall and 6-1 in conference.

In addition to winning the SAC, the Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA postseason for the second time in school history.

The Bulldogs return 19 starters from last year’s squad, including All-American BJ Muckelvene.

  Catawba checks in at No. 3 in the  preseason poll.

The Indians finished in a tie for second with Carson-Newman a year ago, closing out the season with a 9-2 record overall and a 5-2 mark in the SAC.

Head coach Curtis Walker has seven starters back  on a defense that led the SAC in scoring defense,

Also returning for the  Indians will be six starters from an offense that was second in the SAC in scoring, averaging 31.6 points per game in 2017.

The SAC football season gets under way on Thursday, Aug. 30, with Carson-Newman, Lenoir-Rhyne, Tusculum and Wingate all in action.  The remainder of the SAC teams kick off their seasons on Saturday, Sept. 1.

SAC Football Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Carson-Newman (4) 52

2. Wingate (3) 49

3. Catawba 44

4. Newwberry 40

5. Tusculum (1) 32

6. Lenoir-Rhyne 23

T7. Limestone 20

T7. Mars Hill 20

Parks and Rec

  Salisbury Parks and Recreation announces dates for summer sports camps.

• Volleyball camp is Aug. 6-7 and Aug. 9-10 from 9 until 12 for ages 10-14.

•  Wresting camp is Aug. 6-9 from 9 a.m. until noon, for ages 5-14.

For further information, instructors and to register visit www.salisburync.gov/play or call 704-638-5289.   

Minor leagues

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — Aaron Phillips allowed just four hits over six innings, leading the Augusta GreenJackets over the Kannapolis Intimidators in a 5-2 win on Wednesday.

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Colton Laws (Carson, Charlotte 49ers) is still on the disabled list of the Lansing Lugnuts. Laws has a 4-2 record.

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Owen White (Carson) has been tossing at 90 feet this week.

The second-round pick of the Texas Rangers, he won’t pitch in any minor league games this summer.

He’ll be pitching in the Rangers’ fall instructional league in September.

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Zac Almond (Catawba) slugged his ninth double of the season on Wednesday for the Missoula Osprey.

The Arizona Diamondbacks prospect had a huge night on Monday, hitting his eighth homer and driving in five runs.

He’s batting .313 with 33 RBIs in 32 games.

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Jerry Sands (Catawba) hit his third homer since being promoted to Triple A Sacramento on Wednesday.

Sands hit 13 longballs for Double A Richmond.