Gulf South Conference

GSC Baseball Weekly Update, Feb. 4

2/4/2015 5:01:00 PM

Week 1

Click HERE for the complete release.


Gulf South Conference teams took to the diamond last week to kick off the 2015 season. The GSC combined for a 12-3 record, highlighted by a series sweep of No. 16 Florida Southern by No. 35 West Florida. GSC Freshman of the Week Ronnie May locked down both games and picked up his first two-career collegiate saves.

The GSC saw four teams ranked in the Collegiate Baseball News Preseason National Top 40 Poll in No. 21 Alabama Huntsville, No. 30 Delta State, No. 35 West Florida and No. 37 Lee. The Statesmen clinched the Regular Season Championship last season with a 24-5 record (38-13 overall), while the Argos and Chargers, the 2014 GSC Tournament Champions, both finished 22-7. UWF was 34-11 overall, UAH, 41-16.

Lee will play a complete GSC schedule for the second season as it works its way through the reclassification process in anticipation of 2015-16. LU enjoyed a successful first season going 37-19 overall and 15-12 in GSC play last year. Mississippi College joins LU as an incoming institution with an eye toward 2016-17.

The GSC will see a new playoff format in 2015 with the tournament going back to on-campus locations. The entire six-team field will travel to the top-seeded site on Saturday, May 2, 2015, and culminating with a champion on Tuesday, May 5, 2015. Click HERE for a preliminary printable bracket (*Please note that the bracket and times are subject to change).

The 2015 West Florida roster features three players from the 2005 Maitland Little League team that advanced to the Little League World Series. Michael Tomlinson, who redshirted in 2014, Kyle Hamner and Lee Dunnam all join an Argos lineup in hopes of replicating their LLWS success.


PLAYER OF THE WEEK: West Florida outfielder Ledarious Clark (Jr.; Meridian, Miss.) went 3-for-4 (.750) from the plate with a double and two RBI against No. 16 Florida Southern last week. He garnered two walks, crossed the plate once and was also 3-4 in the swiped bags department.

Last season, Clark, a transfer of East Mississippi Community College, hit .325 with five homeruns, 30 RBI, 45 runs and 20 stolen bases. At Southeast Lauderdale High School, he lettered in baseball, football and basketball.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Christian Brothers pitcher Patrick Gurley (So.; Little Rock, Ark.) tossed a one-hitter over five innings of work with five strikeouts and no runs allowed against LeMoyne-Owen last week.

In 2013, Gurley went 0-1 with a 5.32 ERA and 27 strikeouts in eight appearances, including four starts.

FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: West Florida closer Ronnie May (Fr.; Apopka, Fla.) entered both games of a double-header versus No. 16 Florida Southern and picked up his first two collegiate saves in both appearances. He struck out one and walked none over both games.

May was an All-Metro Conference Team honoree in 2013 and 2014 while at Apopka High School. He maintained a sub-2.00 ERA and held a winning record throughout his high school career.