espite not making it to the Gulf South ConferenceToumamentcoach Shane Fullelrtoln s<'lidthe 2004 Bison basesquad learned what true team success was all aoout - supporting others in times of crisis. Junior catcher Brandon Grice's family suffered a tragedy March 28, 2004, when his father was charged with murdering Grice's mother inside their N. Little Rock home. Grice was with the team when he found out about the his mother's death, and he immediately returned home where he stayed for about a week. His teammates, however, made sure he was not alone. "They called and came down to see me and have lunch with me several times," Grice said. "They were there for me no matter what." To show that their thoughts and prayers were with Grice even when he was not with the team, the Bison players put a 14, Grice's number, and Grice's initials on their caps. "When a crisis comes up it brings a group closer together, especially a team/' Grice said. Fullerton S<'lid the support offered to Grice was a testament to the team's emphasis on unity. "Through everything, we found out what being a team was all about" Fullerton S<'lid. "Especially in a school like ours, there is nothing that should outweigh what a team really should be." The unified team finished the 2004 campaign in fifth place in the conference's West Division with an overall record of 25-22.Fullerton said having veteran players on the team was a reason the Bisons finished the season with a winning record. Seven of last season's nine starters returned to the team in 2004. "Leadership was a big plus for us this season," Fullerton said. "We had seven seniors who were all major players." Several of those team leaders received individual honors during the season. Junior Justin Cone and seniors Ben Neely and Justin Goodrich earned mention on the GSC Preseason Baseball Team . Cone was also named the GSC West Division Offensive Player of the Week for the first week of April. Juniors larry Lovett, TIm Bowser and senior Jay Richardson were on the GSC Baseball Top Newcomers list. - JESSIETHOMPSON 263 - BASEBALL
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