BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University sophomore first baseman Conner Leonard was tabbed as a second-team preseason all-Sun Belt Conference selection by College Sports Madness on Thursday.

Leonard hit .272 with four home runs, 29 RBI, 17 runs, 40 hits, nine doubles and 22 walks in 43 games as a true freshman last season. He is Appalachian State's returning leader in each category.

The 6-2, 240-pounder also established himself as one of the Sun Belt's finest defensive first basemen as a rookie, making just two errors in 395 chances in the field (.995 fielding percentage).

Leonard is one of five returning position starters for the Mountaineers in 2016. Appalachian opens the '16 campaign on the weekend of Feb. 19-21 at the Caravelle Resort Tournament in Conway and Myrtle Beach, S.C. App State plays host Coastal Carolina on Friday, Feb. 19, defending national champion Virginia on Saturday, Feb. 20 and Old Dominion on Sunday, Feb. 21. All three games are set for 4 p.m.

The Mountaineers open their 26-game home slate on the weekend of Feb. 26-28 with a four-game series versus Quinnipiac at Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium. Season tickets are available now and can be purchased online by clicking HERE, by phone at (828) 262-2079 or in person at the Appalachian State athletics ticket office, located at the Holmes Center.