May 20, 2002

Four ‘Riders Selected All-South Central Regional

Magnolia, Ark.-Four members of the nationally-ranked Southern Arkansas University baseball team have been selected to the NCAA Division II All-South Central Region Team. The team was chosen by the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings. The Muleriders, 42-14 in 2002, are ranked 13^th in the nation, according to Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

Chosen on the first team from SAU were shortstop Melvin Falu, a 6-1, 190-pound junior from Carolina, P.R., and outfielder Clayton Childers, a 6-3, 225-pound sophomore from El Dorado who played high school ball at Norphlet.

Second-team members include third baseman Tracy Geffre, a 6-4, 235-pound junior from Mandan, N.D., and pitcher Brandon Buford, a 6-4, 225-pound junior from Haynesville, La.

Others from the Gulf South Conference chosen on the first team were third baseman Andy Dillard of Delta State University, catcher Wade Vincent of Lincoln Memorial University, designated hitter Brandon Kizer, the University of North Alabama, and pitchers Jay Garner of Delta State, Josh McGowen of the University of West Florida and Corey Wachman of Valdosta State University.

Other second-team members are first baseman Steven Tomaszewski of Delta State, second baseman Barrett Ward of the University of Central Arkansas and (tie) Mike Kaywood of Lincoln Memorial, infielder Ron Riddle of the State University of West Georgia, outfielders Jeff Cochran of North Alabama, Stephen Morris of Lincoln Memorial and Adam Wheeler of North Alabama, catcher Walt Simmons of the University of West Alabama, designated hitter Michael Ferguson of Ouachita Baptist University and pitchers Braxton Fernald, Valdosta State, and Bryan Lee, West Florida.

Delta State won the South Region championship last weekend to advance to the College World Series. The GSC champion, DSU was eliminated from the conference tournament by SAU and advanced to the Region Tournament by invitation after finishing ranked first in the nation with a 46-7 record at the time.

DSU’s Dillard was named the South Central Region Player of the Year and teammate Garner the Pitcher of the Year. Coach of the Year honors went to DSU’s Mike Kinnison.