ARKADELPHIA- The Ouachita Baptist baseball program has been chosen to finish third in the West Division of the Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll, conference officials announced on Tuesday. Senior outfielder/pitcher Will Gowdy and sophomore first baseman Brock Green were both chosen to the 2010 Preseason All-GSC Baseball Team, as well.
Southern Arkansas was chosen as a unanimous decision to win the GSC West with 49 votes, followed by Delta State (43), Ouachita (33), Harding (32), Henderson State (24), Arkansas Tech (19), Arkansas-Monticello (17) and Christian Brothers (7). SAU debuts at No. 4 in the nation in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Preseason top 40 and was also chosen to finish as the GSC Tournament Champion among all GSC baseball programs.
Ouachita finished the 2009 season at 37-20, with an appearance in the GSC Tournament for the fourth-straight season. The Tigers posted a 23-5 record at Rab Rodgers Field, while finishing the GSC season at 11-10.
Gowdy earns his second preseason accolade after being named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Division II Preseason All-America First Team as a utility player on Dec. 15. The senior outfielder/starting pitcher was named the GSC West Division Player of the Year in 2009, after hitting .429 with a school-record 29 doubles and also added 11 HR and 55 RBI. On the mound, Gowdy earned a 10-3 record with a 4.04 ERA with 72 strikeouts in 75 innings of work. The Amarillo, Texas native became the first player since 2004 to be named to the GSC West Division First Team as both a position player and starting pitcher. Gowdy also named to the Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association All-South Region First team in 2009.
Green returns for his second season at Ouachita after being named as the GSC Freshman of the Year and also a selection to the GSC Second Team for his efforts in his debut collegiate season in 2009. The Hot Springs native was second on the team with a .359 batting average, while driving in 16 doubles, three homeruns and 37 RBIs.
A trio of junior college transfers were also named to the GSC Top Newcomers list in juniors Sam McGill (RHP, Third Baseman), Kolby Moore (LHP) and Cass Via (Shortstop).
The Tigers are selected to finish third for the second consecutive year after finishing in fourth place in 2009, earning the Tournament bid over cross-town rival Henderson State by one game.
By Alan Greenwood, OBU Sports Information Director
