STATESBORO, Ga. ? Georgia Southern University's quest for the Bennett Hofford Family of Hotels 2008 Southern Conference Tournament championship begins Wednesday (May 21) against UNC Greensboro. The fourth-seeded Eagles (32-23 overall) take on fifth-seed UNCG at either 5 or 8 p.m. at Riley Park in Charleston, South Carolina.
If eighth-seed The Citadel defeats ninth-seed Wofford in the play-in game, the Eagles will play at 5 p.m., otherwise they will play the day's final game. Georgia Southern will face either the winner or loser of top-seed Elon versus The Citadel/Wofford on Thursday. The tournament championship will be held on Sunday (May 25) at 2 p.m.
Fans can listen to all of Georgia Southern's tournament action on Eagle 102.9 FM or via the website at www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com. Ryan Chambers will call the action and the pregame show begins 30 minutes prior to the scheduled first pitch.
Live stats and video streaming will be available on the Southern Conference's website, www.SoConSports.com. Premium subscribers to Eagle Vision can log in through www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com and watch the available video streams
Georgia Southern enters the SoCon Tournament as the fourth-seed, the third time in that spot in the last seven seasons. The Eagles, who have participated in all 17 tournaments since joining the league, are 6-3 as the fourth seed. Here is how the Eagles have been seeded in past tournaments, bold indicates won tournament... #1 (2001, 2000, 1996, 1993); #2 (2005, 2004, 2003, 1997, 1995, 1994, 1992); #4 (2008, 2006, 2002) and #6 (2007, 1999, 1998).
Overall the Eagles own a 40-27 record in SoCon Tournament action. Those 40 wins are the third most all-time behind Western Carolina (60-32) and The Citadel (57-27). The Eagles are 21-13 under Rodney Hennon, which includes titles in 2002 and 2000, and has a 10-6 all-time record in first round games. Last year GS dropped an 8-6 decision to UNC Greensboro, ending its season by hitting into a triple play. The Eagles are 3-2 all-time in tournament play versus the Spartans, including a 4-2 first-round win in 2002.
Georgia Southern's offense exploded during the UNC Greensboro series, outscoring the Spartans 44-17 at J.I. Clements Stadium two weeks ago (14-2, 20-6, 10-9). The Eagles recorded 11 doubles and nine home runs compared to UNCG's five doubles and four homers. Chris Shehan (Strasburg, PA/Lampeter-Strasburg) batted .556 with nine RBI. Ty Wright (Montrose/West Laurens) was .545 with eight runs scored and four doubles. Phillip Porter (Marietta/Sprayberry) batted .462, scoring seven times. Jeremiah Parker (Carrollton/Carrollton) batted .417 with two doubles, two home runs and nine RBI. He hit a grand slam in game two.
David Richardson (Dahlonega/Lumpkin County) batted .400, scoring four runs. A.J. Wirnsberger (Tuscaloosa, AL/Paul Bear Bryant) hit four home runs, including a grand slam, and drove in nine. Kyle Kamppi (Savannah/Benedictine Military), slated to start the tournament opener, pitched a season-high eight innings during the game one win. The junior right-hander allowed one run on four hits, walking two and striking out six. Blake Nation (Brooks/Starr's Mill) earned a save in game three.
UNC Greensboro (31-25) dropped 2-of-3 last weekend at home against Davidson. The Spartans lost game one 9-5, won game two 9-1 then dropped the finale 6-2. Greg Martin, the slated starting pitcher for UNCG against the Eagles in the tournament opener, gave up one run on three hits in seven innings against Davidson. He walked two and struck out seven. Overall UNCG owns a .299 team batting average with a .965 fielding percentage and 5.73 team ERA. UNCG is 7-12 away from home this year.
Martin improved to 7-3 overall with a 4.42 ERA in 79.1 innings, striking out 45. Ricky Orton leads the offense with a .364 batting average, 20 doubles, 15 home runs, 58 RBI and 50 walks. Corey Overholtzer is batting .355 with six triples and 42 RBI. Six starters are batting .300 or better. Rob Gilliam leads the pitching staff with seven saves.
