2008 Woodie Awards
Teams want to prove themselves in PBC
Baseball, tennis, softball seasons begin next month
Aidan McGuire
Issue date: 1/22/08 Section: Sports
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Coming off a 36-18 overall and 18-12 PBC finish last season, baseball Coach Art Inabinet said his team wants to lead the conference this year.
"This season will be a fresh start due to the fact that we have so many new players," Inabinet said. "We like our team, but we are unproven in Peach Belt play, and we are working diligently to prepare our players for the difficult journey ahead.
The team has gained four new players.
Men's and women's tennis Coach Garth Thomson has hopes that his team will do well in both the PBC and overall.
"We're trying to finish the men and women with a winning record," Thomson said.
With the addition of four women and four men players, Thomson said he hopes the teams will finish in the top half of the conference and have a shot at the NCAA tournament in May.
Both tennis teams were ranked in the 2007 fall Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) NCAA Division II Top 40 polls. The women occupied the 15th spot, and the men ranked No. 25.
"It's wonderful to be considered in the top-40 teams, but we haven't proven anything yet," Thomson said. "So, starting Feb. 2, we will work hard to earn the top-40 ranking."
Third-year softball Coach Stacy Vallee (34-16 overall and 11-9 last season) hopes the team will expand their success during the upcoming season.
"We want to go to regionals," Vallee said. "We want to win the Peach Belt Conference."
The baseball season begins Feb. 2-3 with a 1 p.m. double-header at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Ga. Feb. 2 also marks the open of the men's and women's tennis season with a noon match at Barton College in Wilson, N.C. The following week, the softball team will step up to the plate when they take on the University of Charleston (W.V.) at 1 p.m. and West Virginia Wesleyan College at 3 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Early Bird Tournament in Aiken.
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