1. North Florida--With their eventual move to the NCAA Division I level in 2006, the Ospreys (41-18, 23-7) hope to go out of the Peach Belt Conference and NCAA Division II with a bang, by winning their sixth league title in seven years. Head Coach Dusty Rhodes welcomes back 29 letterwinners, nine seniors, and six position starters for 2005. However, UNF will miss its top two starting pitchers in Billy Layman and T.J. Stanton.
2. Kennesaw State--The Owls will begin their final PBC season looking to rebound from a mediocre 32-24 season a year ago, which included a 15-15 mark in conference action. KSU brings back six of eight position players, including catcher/first baseman Kevin Gergel, who drove in 43 runs with a slugging percentage of .511.
3. Columbus State--The Cougars reached the NCAA Division II World Series for the second time in four years last season, and Head Coach Greg Appleton hopes to lead them back to Montgomery, Ala. this season with seven position players returning including the entire starting infield. Brian Baker returns for his senior season leading the way on the mound.
4. Augusta State--The Jaguars finished the 2004 season 38-18, which resulted in their first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 1978. If Augusta hopes to make to back-to-back postseason trips in 2005, PBC Freshman of the Year Cody Williams must avoid a sophomore jinx, and provide leadership on a pitching staff that welcomes back six of its top nine pitchers. ASU, though, does return all eight position players, including catcher Sam Barth and Bennett Mayfield.
5. Georgia College & State University--GC&SU finished last season with a mark of 32-22, but a sub .500 finish in PBC play (13-14) forced the Bobcats to sit out the NCAA tournament for the second straight season. If the Bobcats hope to return to postseason play for the first time since 2002, they must do it with a new head coach in Chris Calciano, who comes to the GC&SU campus from West Chester University in Pennsylvania. Matt Goyen, Brandon Durden, and Travis Spell return to lead the pitching staff for GC&SU, while Mike DeVeaux, Nick Trainor, and John Caruso look to provide some offensive punch for the Hunter Green and Navy Blue.
6. Lander--The Bearcats tied a school record for wins in 2004 by finishing 33-23. But, in 2005, Lander hopes to not only add more wins to their total, but also position themselves for a trip to the NCAA tournament. Left handed pitcher David Wilson and third baseman David Walton return to help the Bearcat baseball program reach the next level in what many observers consider to be the nation's toughest NCAA Division II conference in the PBC.
7. Armstrong Atlantic State--Despite a 9-1 start, and a ranking as high as third in the nation, the Pirates struggled to a 29-27 overall, and a disappointing 10-20 record in PBC play to close out 2004. Head Coach Joe Roberts must replace seven seniors including Tampa Bay Devil Rays draftee Marcus Barriger. But AASU does bring back seven players, including shortstop Adam Pelley, and second baseman Rob Recuenco.
8. USC Aiken--The Pacers (30-26, 12-18) welcome 2005 with several new assistants for sixth year head coach Kenny Thomas. USCA loses All-American Ashley Farr and pro draftee Bradley Key. But Thomas will welcome back 17 letterwinners to help Pacers move up in the PBC standings this spring.
9. Francis Marion--The Patriots return 10 lettermen from a squad that finished last year 29-17 overall, but fell just one game shy of reaching the .500 mark in the Peach Belt Conference at 13-14.
10. USC Upstate--With several pitchers having departed the team, and lots of new faces, the Spartans could have an uphill battle attempting to improve upon last year's 24-28 overall, and 11-19 conference record.
11. UNC Pembroke--The Braves (25-27, 12-18) lose seven seniors from last year's team, but bring in a lot of new players this season.
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