baseball 283 Row 1: H. Boyd, J. Glenn, Z. Fisher, B. Whitaker, R. Hunt, B. Rodriguez, M. Skinner, W. McDonald, T.Thompson, M. Stevens, M. Johnson, N. Bacon. Row 2: J. Yant, C. Clifton, K. Ganus, D. Saul, R. Moody, C. Bradley, G. Tellez, A. Roberts, R. Countryman, Z. McKay, M. Jackson, B. Haring, P. McGaha. Row 3: W. Correa, B. Brumley, S. Bishop, A. Darby, B. McCrackin, D. Stephens, D. Gardner, C. Kirkscey, Dr. Kremer, K. Barnett, T. Keith. Making it to the 2008 Gulf South Conference Tournament stood out as the top accomplishment for the Bison baseball team during the 2008 season. The team qualified for the tournament for the first time since 2002 and since Dr. Patrick McGaha took the reins as head coach. The GSC consisted of two divisions: the east, containing seven teams, and the west, made up of eight. Harding was in the west division, which was considered the tougher of the two categories. Only eight teams total qualified for the GSC, and Harding was one of four teams in the west division to do so. To make it to the GSC was a worthy goal for the team to strive for and certainly an exciting one to achieve. “[Making it into the GSC] was a big step forward,” McGaha said of the impact of qualifying for the tournament. “It was always a goal to become a contender in the conference.” Coach Brent Haring added that the team’s ultimate goal was to enter the tournament as the No. 1 seed. Both McGaha and Haring reported contributions from many players during the 2008 season that made going to the GSC Tournament possible. McGaha said that juniors Troy Keith and Brodie Brumley helped out the team with their pitching, while senior Aaron Roberts contributed with 10 home runs and was named Second Team All-Conference. In addition to outstanding performances by individual players, Brumley commented on the team’s hard work as a whole that contributed to qualifying for the GSC. “Mostly our work ethic was a lot better than previous years,” Brumley said. “We worked a lot harder for the next season, so we knew we would be better.” In the first round game at the tournament, the No. 4 seeded Bisons led their opponent, No.1 seed Valdosta State, until the bottom of the ninth inning. “We have a huge picture of the scoreboard going into the bottom of the ninth [in the clubhouse],” Brumley said. “It just reminds us how close we were.” With the ever-present goal of winning a Division II conference title still on their minds, the Bisons looked to channel that momentum into the next season. As last season was only the second time in Harding’s history that the baseball team qualified for the GSC, both coaches and players anticipated greater accomplishments still to come. While the baseball team continued to strive for excellence on the field, McGaha and Haring also encouraged the players to represent Harding admirably off the field, both academically and spiritually. Both coaches wanted the baseball team to show that they were good ambassadors of God, family and sportsmanship. Rebecca Harrell and Emily Hauptli not us? Hardballers earn spot in GSC Tournament Senior right-hander D.A. Kremer delivers a pitch to a Northeastern player during a game on February 6, 2008. Kremer went on to win the game, giving up only two hits and no earned runs. Craig Rainbolt why
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