RICHMOND, Va. - Junior first baseman Ryan Cuneo has been named to the Colonial Athletic Association preseason honorable mention team as selected in a vote by the league's head coaches.

The award comes after Cuneo's breakout sophomore campaign that saw him post a team-high .351 batting average. A starter in 41 games, he also clubbed six home runs, notched 48 RBI, and scored 30 runs. He eventually finished the season ranked third in the CAA with a .408 batting average during conference play, while his six sacrifice flies led the league.

A native of Freehold, N.J., he pieced together an impressive 24-game hitting streak that lasted from April 5 through May 11. His roll marked the fifth longest in program history, just four shy of the all-time record. During his streak, he hit .444 with 39 RBI and 22 runs scored.

The CAA Player of the Week on May 5, Cuneo was also honored as Delaware’s Offensive Player of the Year last season for his efforts.

During his first two years in Newark, Cuneo has combined to hit .327 with seven home runs and 52 RBI. A starter in 51 career games, he was the only true freshman to see action for the Blue Hens in 2007.

Along with Cuneo, the CAA selected 26 other players to its two preseason all-conference squads. George Mason's Scott Krieger highlighted the list, earning Preseason Player of the Year honors. The Patriots led the way with four first-team selections, while Georgia State and James Madison earned three apiece.

The Blue Hens will open up their 2009 campaign with a four-game series at Longwood from February 20-22. The series opener is scheduled for that Friday at 1 p.m.

AGATE:

First-Team Preseason All-CAA

Chris Henderson (C, George Mason), Justin Bour (1B, George Mason), Ryan Soares (2B, George Mason), Nick Natoli (SS, Towson), Bradley Logan (3B, Georgia State), Scott Krieger (OF, George Mason), Alex Foltz (OF, James Madison), Rob Nickle (OF, William & Mary), Trevor Knight (P/INF, James Madison), Derek Simmons (DH/INF, Georgia State), Turner Phelps (SP, James Madison), Robinson Polanco (SP, Georgia State), Stephen Harrold (RP, UNC Wilmington).

Honorable Mention Preseason All-CAA

Frank Pesanello (C, Northeastern), Jason Stifler (C, Towson), Ryan Cuneo (1B, Delaware), Richard Gonzales (2B, VCU), James Williamson (2B, William & Mary), Gerard Hall (SS, Old Dominion), Matt Prokopowicz (3B, Hofstra), Matt Van Horn (OF, Georgia State), Mike Tamsin (INF, Northeastern), Daniel Cropper (SP, UNC Wilmington), Dan Gerjets (SP, George Mason), Cameron Roth (SP, UNC Wilmington), Jordan Flasher (RP, George Mason), Josh Squatrito (RP, Towson).