EAST DIVISION:
1. West Florida: After edging out Alabama-Huntsville by half a game to win the GSC East, and finishing fifth in the South Central Region, the league's coaches have picked to win the division again in 2005. However, UWF (29-21 in 2004) hopes to take the next step, and earn its first-ever trip to the NCAA tournament. Outfielder Peter Antoske returns for his sophomore season, while juniors Todd Androsko and Bryan Lee will provide some much needed leadership for the pitching staff.
2. Alabama-Huntsville: The Chargers will look to improve upon last year's 36-17 record, and #24 national ranking, while challenging UWF along the way. However, UAH must accomplish that task with a new head coach in Lowell Mooneyham, who was an assistant with the Chargers for several years.
3. Valdosta State: The Blazers will begin their 38th season under veteran Tommy Thomas in hopes of improving upon last year's 33-26 record. VSU returns senior outfielder John McDonald, and senior shortstop Robert Morgan to lead the Blazer offensive attack.
4. North Alabama: Despite a 34-20-1 overall record last season, the Lions finished a disappointing 8-11 overall in GSC East play. UNA hopes to have a better outcome in conference play this season thanks to the return of infielders Mike Klug and Job Fugice.
5. West Alabama: The Tigers had one of their best seasons in recent history last year, going 33-22 overall, and advancing to the Gulf South Conference tournament. Lee Boyd and Clint Chambless must provide the needed relief on the pitching staff if they hope to make a return trip to the GSC tourney.
6. West Georgia: The Braves (33-16 overall) hope to contend for a spot in the Gulf South Conference tournament after finishing conference play 9-11 in 2004. Senior Jared Rolen will provide leadership both offensively and defensively for West Georgia at catcher.
7. Montevallo: The Falcons (26-27) struggled to a 6-15 mark in GSC East play last season, and may end up fighting an uphill battle again this season.
8. Lincoln Memorial: The Railsplitters finished a dismal 2004 season at 17-36-1. Expect LMU to look up at the rest of the GSC East again in 2005.
WEST DIVISION:
1. Delta State: It was a season to remember for the DSU baseball program in 2004, as the Statesmen won their first-ever NCAA Division II national championship. Can Delta State (54-11 overall) repeat as national champions in 2005? The pollsters at Collegiate Baseball Newspaper seem to think, as the Statesmen begin as tops in D-II. DSU returns some top-notch talent for this year, with Craig Newton coming back at catcher, Clay Smith at second base, and Eric Patten at shortstop.
2. Southern Arkansas: The Muleriders look to be Delta State's prime challenger in the Gulf South Conference West Division this season, as they finished last season 45-14, and 10th in the nation. SAU's hopes for another trip to an NCAA regional will be dependent upon the performance of outfielder Aharon Eggleston.
3. Central Arkansas: The Bears finished the 2004 season 33-24 overall, and 16-7 in the GSC West, good for a third place finish in the GSC West, as well as a trip to the Gulf South Conference tournament. Second baseman Barrett Ward, shortstop Chris Dickens, and outfielder Brian Post all hope to lead UCA to an NCAA postseason trip in 2005 if they can stay healthy and focused.
4. Arkansas Tech: The Wonder Boys hope to improve upon last year's 31-23 overall and 13-10 GSC West record from a year ago by relying on first baseman Ryan White to do wonders with both his bat and his glove.
5. Harding: The Bisons went 25-22 last season, just missing the GSC tournament with an 11-12 conference mark. First baseman Justin Cone looks to lead HU into postseason play this season.
6. Arkansas-Monticello: After barely finished last season above .500 overall (26-24), and 6-15 in GSC play, there's only one way the Boll Weevils can go: Up. At least UAM moved up in the preseason standings to begin 2005, as the league's coaches picked the Boll Weevils to finish sixth. Josh McClain hopes to prove the prognosticators wrong, as he returns for his senior year as a starting pitcher.
7. Henderson State: The Reddies hope for a better ending in 2005 than in 2004, as they struggled to an 18-32 overall record. Catcher Dustin Perry, along with newcomers Josh Guy, Josh Jarman, and Thomas Bischoff hope to turn Henderson State's fortunes on the field in the right direction this season, and contend for a spot in the GSC tournament.
8. Christian Brothers: The Buccaneers lost eight straight games to end last season, resulting in a final mark of 22-27 overall. CBU will rely on junior college transfer Blake Christian, as well as freshmen Mark Foster and Graham Harrison to move up in the standings this year.
9. Ouachita Baptist: The Tigers were anything but tough in 2004, as they managed to finish dead last in the GSC West at 2-21, and 12-36 overall. Tyler Landenberger comes to OBU from Colby Community College to pitch, while outfielder Mike Fehr and infielder Jon Andres will lead the offense. However, that may not be enough to pull the Tigers out of the division basement in 2005.
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