Around the Ohio Valley - February 15

Austin Peay

The Governors will enter the 2013 baseball season as the preseason pick to win the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title. They received 14 out of 20 possible votes from coaches and sports information directors around the league. With an individual honor, Jordan Hankins was picked as the Pre-Season Co-Player of the Year. The Governor’s will open the season today at 3 p.m. against Iowa.

Belmont

For the third week and second consecutive week in a row this season the Bruins are among others receiving votes for the top 25 in both national polls. Additionally, the Bruins rank in the top 50 nationally in 10 NCAA statistical categories, and are in the top 10 in steals per game, three-point field goal percentage, and field goal percentage.

Eastern Illinois

The Panthers softball team will take the field for the first time this week in the Alabama State Hornet Invitational this weekend in Montgomery, Alabama. EIU will play twice on Saturday and twice on Sunday. One game each day versus UNC Greensboro and one each day versus Alabama State. The Panthers have high hopes for the season as they return all but one starting position player.

Eastern Kentucky

The Colonels have selected Melissa Barnes to be the new coach of the women’s soccer program. Barnes will bring a record of winning with her to Richmond. At both of her previous coaching positions she helped to the lead the programs to NCAA tournament appearances. She spent 2005-07 at her alma mater Furman University and 2008-12 at UNC Wilmington.

Jacksonville State

The first pitch of the 64th season of Gamecock baseball will begin today in Kennesaw, Ga. The team begins the season with a three-game series against Kennesaw State. Taylor Shields is projected to be on the mound this afternoon in his first ever career start of JSU. He is a transfer from Calhoun Community College where he posted a record of 15-6 and a 3.20 earned run average.

Morehead State

The next two home games of Eagle basketball will be promotional nights. For the double-header Saturday the first 1,000 fans will receive rally towels to help MSU “blackout” Johnson Arena for their match-up with Tennessee Tech. Monday’s women’s game against Jacksonville State is Health, Wellness and Human Performance night. The HWP will sponsor activities during timeouts and halftime, and all tickets will be half price.

Murray State

The Racers will have a special discount ticket price for the men’s 2013 Ramada Wolrdwide Bracketbuster matchup versus South Dakota State on February 23. The upper concourse end zone seats will only be $5, and the upper concourse seats on the sides will be $10. The game will be televised on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. and will take place at the CFSB Center in Murray, Ky.

Southeast Missouri

Southeast Missouri will play host in their annual Redhawk Invite this evening at the Southeast Missouri State University Recreation Center. The events are schedule to start at 4:00 p.m. as the Redhawks welcome Bethel University and Memphis among others. The team is looking to continue momentum as they are coming off of a string showing at the Samford Invite last weekend.

SIUE

Saturday, the SIUE basketball programs play host to Austin Peay in a double-header. The games will also be used as a promotion to help create awareness for breast cancer research. The women’s Head Coach Paula Buscher has pledged to donate $25 for each three-pointer made by the Cougars during the women’s Pink Zone game. She is challenging fans to match her pledge. Fans who are interested can join by contacting NaDean Schroeder at nschroe@siue.edu.

Tennessee State

BOXTOROW has ranked the top 10 HBCU FCS recruiting classes, and for the seventh time in eight years the Tigers are in the number one spot. The rankings are based on research done by BOXTOROW based upon school releases, local newspaper articles and recruiting boards.

Tennessee Tech

The Golden Eagles will host their annual “Academic Excellence” night on Thursday February 21. On this night they will honor all area elementary Honor Roll Students who will be invited to attend the game as guests of the Golden Eagles. The vouchers for the game will be distributed through the area schools. The matchup is against UT Martin and will tip off at 7 p.m. in the Eblen Center.

UT Martin

Assistant coach David Russell of the women’s Skyhawk basketball team is among 12 people who will be inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame. Russell won an impressive six state championships and more than 950 games during his 35 year career in the preps at Bradford and Gibson County I. “I’ve had a chance to look at that (Hall of Fame) list, and I’m humbled to be included on it,” Russell said.