Season of changes and improvements The 2000 Bison baseball team made a solid improvement in the Lone Star Conference, finishing with a record of 24-21. This was an improvement from their record of .500 in the 1999 season. Much of the Bisons' success can be attributed to the play ofjunior Jeris Noye, who led the team in hitting with a .352 batting average and six home runs for the year. "We were expecting a great season for 2000, and we had a very solid season with a pretty good group of upperclassmen who played well in a tough conference," Coach Shane Fullerton said. The team experienced several changes this year, including their lineup. Fullerton explained that the team should be able to achieve an improved chemistry, and he is looking forward to seeing what the new freshmen and transfer students are going to be able to do. Another major change for the Bisons this year was the addition of Ryan Rana, the new assistant coach. The Bisons were exited about the experience that Rana brought to the team as well as the work he was able to do with the pitchers. In addition to the new assistant coach, the ~~--------------~B~as~e~b~a=ll ~ Athletics Bisons participated in a new conference this year, the Gulf South Conference. This was exiting for the team and the fans as their games were closer to home, Fullerton said. "All of the teams in the cOI).ference except for two are in Arkansas; this is good since we don't have to travel as much, and it will create more rivalry, II graduate assistant Nate Watson said. Fullerton believes that in joining the new conference, the team has a greater chance of competing and making the playoffs. There were also many improvements made to the baseball field over the summer. New sod, infield clay and dugouts were added, making Jerry Moore Field look more professional. The highlight for the players and the fans, however, was the new scoreboard that went up during the summer of 2000. "The whole field just has a better atmosphere that will create a more enjoyable season, both for the fans and the players," senior Mike Huebner said. "Plus, the fans can actually tell the score now. II - Sarah Madden Waiting for his pitch, freshman Gary Albritton finds his stance. Albritton was one of the catchers for this year's team. Photo by Mark Kinonen. First Row: Jason Redd, Cliff Collins, Jarred Smith, Eric Chin, Troy Wolfe, Barry Finnie, Stephen Smith, Jeff Bolen Second Row: Ryan Lee, J.D. Noye, Seth Watson, Gary Albritton, Nate Watson, Matthew Bassing, Matt Wilson, Mike Huebner, Ben James. Third Row: Coach Shane Fullerton, Matt Thomas, Kenny Sprenger, Michael Wallace, Matt Walter, Grant Andrews, Rodney Cloud, Grant Tonick, Jon Neely, Phil! Gisel, Assistant Coach Nathan Blackwood. Not pictured: ManagerZac Lambrecht, Brian Gifford, Alan Seim, Jake Turner. Photo by Jeff Montgomery. the·team 1......------
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