Bucs Baseball Picked to Finish Sixth in GSC Standings
By Rori Eddie

Memphis, TN--It’s all about respect in the Gulf South Conference. Some teams will always have it, while others will continue their fight to get it. Today, as the GSC released its 2002 Pre-Season baseball release, it was all about the respect, again.

The most respected and formable program in all of GSC baseball, the Delta State University Statesmen were selected for the second consecutive season to become the overall GSC champion and West Division favorite, while East Division powerhouse, Alabama-Huntsville was predicted to take the East Division crown.

DSU was tabbed by 10 coaches to win its ninth Conference crown, while six skippers believe Alabama-Huntsville will become the first team in 16 years, fourth in league history, to successfully defend the GSC Title (Delta State, 1978-79, Troy State, 1980-82 and 1986-87). Not to be left out is defending East Division champion Valdosta State, which garnered one Championship nod.

Meanwhile, Christian Brothers University, waged in its consummate battle to gain that coveted respect, could be found solidly placed in the sixth hole, as the Buccaneers collected one third place vote, three fifth place nods, one sixth and three seventh place waves.

"It’s a little disappointing," admitted head coach Phil Goodwin. "But, now, we can take it and hopefully use it to inspire us. We need to prove to other teams we’re better than a sixth place vote."

The Buccaneers are already inspired, as this year’s GSC Championship Tournament will be played right in CBU’s own backyard. For the first time ever, the GSC Baseball Tournament will be hosted by and played at a neutral site, the USA Baseball Complex in Millington, TN, May 4-7. The new venue is part of a two-year deal at the 5,000-seat USA Stadium.

"We’re going to make a run at Millington," added Goodwin. "It’s something we’ve made very clear as our number one goal since day one of practices."

Individually, the CBU squad did have some bright spots emerge from the GSC Pre-Season release, as senior pitching standout, Steven Oelke, was named to the 2002 Pre-Season All-GSC team. The 6-3, 230 lbs., right-hand hurler ranked second in strikeouts in the GSC standings with 88 K’s.

Rusty Cagle, a junior transfer from Mississippi State University, Brad Powers, a junior transfer from Southwest Tennessee Community College and Latarius Harris, a sophomore transfer from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, are being dubbed Gulf South Conference’s Top Newcomers in 2002.

The Christian Brothers University baseball team will debut at Buc Field, February 12 at 2 P.M. against Cumberland University.