FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12-18-00

AASU Baseball Ranked No. 28 In Preseason Collegiate Baseball Poll

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Armstrong Atlantic State University baseball squad is ranked No. 28 in the Collegiate Baseball Magazine NCAA Division II Preseason Baseball Coaches' Poll.

The Pirates, who finished last season with a 37-17 record and ranked No. 25 in the final poll received 56 votes in the poll and are among five Peach Belt Conference teams in the preseason rankings. Defending national champion Southeast Oklahoma is preseason No. 1, followed by PBC-champion North Florida, ranked No. 2, and fellow PBC rival Georgia College & State, ranked No. 3. Other PBC teams ranked include Kennesaw State (No. 10) and Columbus State (No. 15)

The AASU baseball squad, entering its 22^nd season under head coach Joe Roberts, opens the 2001 campaign at home on Sat., Jan. 27, at 11:00 a.m. with a doubleheader against St. Andrews.

- Pirates -