NEW ORLEANS (JMU Athletics) – James Madison senior Ryan Dooley and junior Max Kuhle were named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Team, while the Dukes were picked to finish sixth in a vote by the 14 head coaches in the league, the conference announced Wednesday afternoon.

Four teams received first-place votes, led by two-time defending champion and the preseason favorite Southern Miss who received five first-place votes and a total of 179 points. Troy was picked second with four first-place votes (178 total points), followed by Louisiana’s three (174) and Coastal Carolina’s two (161). Rounding out the top five was Georgia Southern, who received 125 points, ahead of the Dukes who earned 106 points.

Dooley was selected as the designated hitter on the preseason team after batting .303 in 61 games last season. The senior had an OPS of .863 from a .404 on-base percentage and a .459 slugging percentage, as he scored 51 runs and drove in 44. He connected for 70 base knocks, including a pair of triples, five homers and 17 doubles. He added 14 stolen bases on 18 attempts.

Selected to the preseason team as a relief pitcher, Kuhle made 21 appearances on the mound with eight starts last season and is the top innings eater returning for JMU after tossing 61.0 a year ago. He posted a 5-4 record coupled with a save to go along with a 4.13 ERA, holding opposing hitters to a .239 batting average and striking out 67.

The Dukes begin the season with a three-game set at No. 9 Florida State on Feb. 14-16, with first pitch for game on set for 5 p.m. that Friday night. JMU is currently receiving votes in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association in the outlet’s preseason poll.

2025 SUN BELT CONFERENCE BASEBALL PRESEASON AWARDS
Preseason Player of the Year
Caden Bodine, Coastal Carolina (Jr., C – Haddon Heights, N.J.)

Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Chase Morgan, Louisiana (So., SP – Cypress, Texas)

Preseason All-Sun Belt Team
Chase Morgan, Louisiana (So., SP – Cypress, Texas)
Bryce Blevins, Marshall (Jr., SP – Louisa, Ky.)
Colby Allen, Southern Miss (Jr., SP – Louisville, Miss.)
Max Kuhle, James Madison (Jr., RP – Virginia Beach, Va.)
Caden Bodine, Coastal Carolina (Jr., C – Haddon Heights, N.J.)
Matthew Russo, Southern Miss (Jr., 1B – Madisonville, La.)
Blake Barthol, Coastal Carolina (Jr., 2B – Allentown, Pa.)
Ozzie Pratt, Southern Miss (Sr., SS – Alesville, Miss.)
Lee Amedee, Louisiana (Jr., 3B – Gonzales, La.)
Josh Tate, Georgia Southern (Jr., OF – Peachtree City, Ga.)
Luke Waters, Old Dominion (Sr., OF – Laurel, Del.)
Davis Gillespie, Southern Miss (RS So., OF – Birmingham, Ala.)
Ryan Dooley, James Madison (Sr., DH – Reston, Va.)
Nick Monistere, Southern Miss (Jr., UT – Brandon, Miss.)

2025 SUN BELT CONFERENCE BASEBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
(First-Place Votes)
1. Southern Miss (5) – 179
2. Troy (4) – 178
3. Louisiana (3) – 174
4. Coastal Carolina (2) – 161
5. Georgia Southern – 125
6. James Madison – 106
7. Old Dominion – 105
8. Texas State – 102
9. App State – 94
10. South Alabama – 93
11. Georgia State – 49
12. Marshall – 46
13. ULM – 34
14. Arkansas State – 24

— JMU Athletics —