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SOUTHWEST BASEBALL TEAM OPENS SEASON AT BATON
ROUGE
The Southwest baseball team will open its season this weekend with a
three-game series at Baton Rouge (LA) Community College. The two teams will
play a single game at noon on Sunday, February 5 followed by a 2 p.m.
doubleheader on Monday, February 6.
The Saluqis, under the direction of third-year Head Coach Johnny Ray, return
two starters and four pitchers off last year’s 29-27 squad. Matt Akin (first
base) and Jon Thurston (right field) are the only two returning everyday
players from a year ago. However, several sophomore transfers should be in
the starting lineup when the season begins. Catcher Elvis Sosa (Union
University), leftfielder Brent Moss (University of Memphis), and
centerfielder Derrick McBride (Louisiana State University-Eunice), and
pitcher Max Lonon (Northwest Mississippi Community College) have transferred
in and all four players should be big contributors to this year’s team. In
addition, second baseman Preston Burleson returns after a red-shirt year and
should bring experience to the infield.
Right-handed pitcher Ivan Nails, who was the Saluqis’ closer as a freshman,
is back after earning second team all-conference honors in 2005. Other
returning pitchers are right-handers Darren Wills and Jason Adams, and
left-hander Chris Crenshaw.
Top incoming freshmen on this year’s Saluqi team are: shortstop Philip
Gibson (Cordova High School), third baseman Brooks Thornton (Collierville
High School), first baseman Bradley McPeek (Cumberland Gap High School),
outfielder Brett Jenne (Horn Lake High School), outfielder Corey Rudolph
(Bartlett High School), and pitchers Zac LaBarrreare and Chris Denny.
The first home game for the Saluqis will be on Sunday, February 12 when
Southwest takes on Bevill State-Fayette (AL) in a 1 p.m. doubleheader at
Gagliano Field.
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