By: Greg Gorham, Media Relations Assistant
2010 SBU baseball quick facts | Live Webcast by SEOSU | Live stats
DURANT, Okla. -- Baseball season kicks off this weekend, as the Bearcats return to the site of last year's season opener to face Southeastern Oklahoma State. SBU dropped three games to the Savage Storm last season, where they ended 9-41 on the year. Head coach Sam Berg is beginning his 11th season with the Bearcats, where he set a new school record for most MIAA wins in first seasons with the 'Cats. Berg has 148 wins during his time at SBU, and has helped produce 15 All-MIAA players, one All-Region player, and one player who went on to sign a professional contract.
The 2010 version of the baseball Bearcats will include 15 players from last season's squad, including seniors Kyle Wise, Greg Seay, and Justin Barnhart. Wise, an outfielder from Paso Robles, Calif., hit for a team-high 36 RBI last season, while the third baseman Barnhart led the 'Cats with 17 stolen bases. Seay is scheduled to be SBU's opening day starter, as he recorded 52 strikeouts and tied the team lead with three wins. Some key newcomers include center fielder Niko Saladis, shortshop Victor Ramirez,as well as infielder Nigel Morton and right fielder Taylor Trotter. New Bearcats Dominic Bouvier and Steven Davis will be battling for the starting catcher job.
Southeastern Oklahoma State ended last season 27-26, earning the #4 seed in the Lone Star Conference Tournament, in when they went 0-2. The Savage Storm have brought in a lot of new faces, with 20 new players and only two fielders and three pitchers who started last season. Storm head coach Mike Metheny is beginning his 30th season in Durant, winning over 1,000 games during his time in the SEOSU dugout.
SBU kicks off the three game series on Friday, February 5, at 2 p.m. A doubleheader is scheduled on Saturday, February 6, with the first game starting at noon.