Breakdown by Position

First Base:     Senior Brian Bachman (.321) is a two-time All-Conference selection as an outfielder.  He has a great glove and will be one of the top defensive first basemen in the conference.  Seniors Ryan Jones and Keenan Perry and junior Pat Looney will also see time at first base.

Second Base:   Junior Trevor Vaught (.458, 30 SB's) earned All-American honors in 2001.  He posted a .937 fielding percentage while spending much of his time out of position.  Freshman Dan Wysong will be the primary back up.

Shortstop:     Despite missing 18 games last season, senior Alan Smith (.426, 5 HR's) earned 2nd Team All-Conference honors.  He is a multi-tool player.  Dan Wysong will back up Smith.

Third Base:     Senior Keenan Perry (.366, 7 HR's) earned All-Conference honors in 2001.  He is a tremendous offensive threat.  Juniors Jon Roy and Pat Looney will also see time here. 

Left Field:     Senior Jon Estep (.281, 5 HR's) will once again patrol left field.  He is very solid defensively, he's a smart base runner, and he  was one of the Bears' leading run producers in 2001.  He will be pushed sophomore Ted Tom and freshman Ryan Wells.

Center Field:     Tom Janis takes over in center field.  He was a junior college All-American in 2001.  Janis, along with Pat Looney, led Columbus State to a runner-up finish in the Junior College World Series last year.  Janis will hit in the lead off spot.  He provides explosive offense and plays great defensive.  Ryan Wells will also see time in center. 

Right Field:     Junior Nate Palmer will get the majority of time in right field.  He will likely hit third in the lineup as he possesses all the skills necessary to put up All-American numbers.  Freshman Doug Cox will be the primary back up.

Catcher:     Senior Jason Spiro takes over behind the plate in 2002.  He brings good hitting, a strong arm, and outstanding leadership to the position.  Keenan Perry and Pat Looney will provide depth behind the plate.

Designated Hitter:     Junior Ryan Jones will man the DH spot for the Bears.  Jones suffered through an injury plagued season in 2001, but he has worked hard in the off season.  He has the potential to be one of the best hitters in the conference.  Pat Looney, Jon Roy, and Ted Tom will also get some at-bats in the DH spot.

Pitching:     The lone returning pitcher for the Bears is sophomore A. J. Hurst (3-0).  He has three good pitches and knows how to win.  Senior lefty, Brian Bachman, will man a spot in the rotation in addition to being the every day first baseman.  Bachman has good stuff and is a fierce competitor.  Redshirt freshman Tom Spille provides a great breaking ball and a live fastball to the rotation.  Sophomore south paw, Eric Brooks, rounds out the Bears' rotation.  Brooks has a dominant breaking ball and an incredible change-up.  He will provide the rotation with some much needed experience on the mound.  Ted Tom, Alan Smith, and Jon Estep will pull double duty as position players and coming out of the bullpen.  Brian Hines and Pat Pannell will also work a lot of innings.  Nate Pool will handle the closing duties.  He has an outstanding fastball, and he possesses a "bulldog" demeanor.