April 22, 2004

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' baseball team's season has come down to the final week and the Cowboys are hoping to get back to a place they have not been since 2001 - the American Southwest Conference Tournament.

HSU has to win its series against Concordia-Austin in order to get a berth into the ASC Tournament. The Cowboys would likely need to sweep the Tornados and have McMurry lose at least one game in order to host the tournament next week. If Concordia-Austin wins the series, they will most likely host the tournament next week in Austin. Whoever wins the ASC West division will host the tournament.

The Cowboys have fought hard all season to be in a position to get to the playoffs. HSU is 22-12 on the year and 13-5 in ASC West play. Concordia-Austin comes into the series 25-11 overall and 14-4 in ASC West play.

"You put in all the work in the fall with early morning workouts, get ready before the season and before you know it the season has come and gone," said HSU head coach Steve Coleman. "At the end of the day, the kids have put themselves in a position for all of their hard work to pay dividends this weekend. That is what you want to be in this business for to see the kids accomplish their goals."

Hardin-Simmons has used a balanced attack this season with seven regulars hitting between .333 and 380. Junior shortstop Barry Janisse leads the club with a .380 batting average and has also scored a team-best 42 runs. Andy Harrington is hitting .371 with five homers and 28 RBIs.

The Cowboy weekend rotation will be Craig Foreman (5-3, 3.71), Brian Whitworth (6-2, 1.74) and Josh Bishop (4-1, 4.95). They will face Steve Smith (6-2, 2.98), Scott Gordon (8-1, 3.55) and Chema Chavez (6-1, 5.70).

Concordia is led offensively by Timothy Gardner a senior catcher/designated hitter that was a key cog in the Tornados run to the Division III World Series two years ago. David White and Jake Decker each have eight home runs on the year for Concordia.

All three games will be on the radio at KAGT 90.5 FM or on the internet at www.hsuathletics.com.