Jan. 26, 2004

CAPE GIRARDEAU - In this month's college preview edition of Baseball America, publishers picked the Southeast Missouri State baseball team to finish first in the Ohio Valley Conference this season.

Despite key losses of pitcher Tim Alvarez, and shortstop Zack Borowiack, the publication expects Southeast to restock and end up atop the OVC rankings.

Baseball America also listed Southeast as the only OVC team it expects to make it to the NCAA's, and it lists junior left-handed pitcher Jon Nourie as a pre-season all-conference selection.

Last year's team broke numerous offensive records on its way to a 31-20 (14-6 OVC) record.