Jan. 30, 2001

Cape Girardeau, Mo. -- Riding the talents of OVC Newcomer of the Year Jeffrey Hilz and All-Americans cather Jeff Bourbon and shortstop Zach Borowiak, the Southeast Missouri State baseball club was selected to finish second in the annual pre-season vote of the Ohio Valley Conference baseball coaches. Austin Peay was tabbed to be the OVC champ with four first-place votes (46), Southeast was next with two-first place votes (42) and Eastern Kentucky, last year's OVC titlist, was chosen third also with two first-place votes (41).

Indian skipper Mark Hogan was pleased with the predictions. "To be picked as high as second, especially when you consider everyone we lost," said Hogan. "is a testament to the talented crop of players we have each year and our ability to win in this conference."

Southeast lost one of its most talented cores of players last season, including All-American and OVC Player of the Year Jeremy Johnson. The club will look to replace the loss of almost 65 percent of its offense, after the bats of All-OVC performers Johnson, Darin Kinsolving, Phil Warren and Charlie Marino were lost to graduation.

One of the team's highly anticipated pitching staff should be one of the many highlights of this year's squad. Hilz, who finished second in the nation with his lean ERA of 1.71 returns, along side senior Tommy Thomas who finished 7-3 with a 4.21 ERA and 92 strikeouts.

Southeast finished the 2000 campaign with a team high 37 wins, accompanied by just 17 losses. The 2001 edition will open play next Friday, February 9 at home against Iowa State at 1 p.m.