UWF BASEBALL WRAPS UP FALL SEASON, LOOKS AHEAD TO 2011

Argos Looking to Repeat as GSC East Champions

PENSACOLA, Fla. – The West Florida baseball team has finished its fall practices and now is looking ahead to the 2011 spring schedule.  The Argonauts had a successful 2010 season, finishing with an overall record of 36-20 and atop the Gulf South Conference East Division standings at 11-3.  UWF also advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history, falling in the second round of the double elimination south regional.

The Argos will open the 2011 season at home on Feb. 1-2 in a two-game series against Peach Belt Conference rival Montevallo.  Last season West Florida swept the three-game series at Montevallo, outscoring the Falcons 34-14. The Argos will make their first road trip the following weekend on Feb. 5-6 to Winter Park, Fla. to take on regional opponent Rollins College.  Rollins finished last season ranked No. 15 in the final Collegiate Baseball Newspaper national poll, and West Florida will be looking for redemption after dropping last year’s series to the Tars.

The Argonauts will return to Pensacola for a three-week homestand against four opponents, including regional foes Delta State and Florida Southern on Feb. 19-20 and Feb. 26-27, respectively.  West Florida took two of three from GSC West power Delta State last season.  Florida Southern has turned into a big rival for UWF, and the Argos took the series with wins in two of three games against the Moccasins, who finished the year at No. 18.

The Argos will spend most of the month of March on the road for the start of conference play.  March 6-7 will be a highlight on the schedule as UWF travels to face reigning GSC champion Valdosta State, who finished last year ranked No. 20.  West Florida and VSU split last year’s regular season series, but the Blazers had the Argos’ number, defeating UWF in the GSC Tournament and again in the first round of the NCAA South Regional.

On March 19-20 the Argos will take on GSC opponent West Georgia at home, looking to repeat last year’s sweep of the Wolves on the road.  West Florida will wrap up the month of March in Florence, Ala. against conference opponent North Alabama on March 26-27. The Argos split the regular season series with the Lions last year but fell in the GSC Tournament 12-6.

The Argos will kick off the month of April at home on April 16-17 against Alabama-Huntsville. Last season West Florida won each of the four contests against the Chargers, including a win in the GSC tournament and no hitter by Kevin in the regular season. West Florida will look to finish the regular season strong on April 30 and May 1 against West Alabama; UWF took two of three from UWF last season.

West Florida will be looking to make a playoff run for the third consecutive season.  The first postseason tournament if the Argonauts qualify will be May 6-10 in Millington, Tenn. at the GSC Tournament. Should the Argonauts advance to the NCAA South Regional for the third time in program history, that tournament is scheduled to start on May 19.

For information on all UWF Athletics, visit www.GoArgos.com.