News Taffy

SEARCY – Harding baseball is ranked fifth in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Division II South Central Region poll. The Bisons are the highest-ranked team in the Great American Conference.

Harding is just out of the top 25 in the national poll. The Bisons received 20 points, good for 27th in the poll.

Harding finished 42-14 last season, won the Gulf South Conference West Division regular season title, advanced to the GSC Tournament final, and qualified for the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament.

Central Missouri of the MIAA is the top-ranked team in the region, followed by Emporia State (MIAA), St. Mary's (Heartland), and Incarnate Word (Lone Star). Southern Arkansas (6th) and Southeastern Oklahoma State (8th) are the two other Great American Conference teams in the top 10.

Harding had two players named to the South Central Region Second Team—senior second baseman Chase Presley and junior third baseman Billy Ninemire.

Presley, an All-Region performer last season from Jackson, Tenn., hit .335 with four home runs and 38 RBI as a junior. He set Harding single-season records for runs (64) and doubles (22).

Ninemire was a member of the All-GSC Tournament Team. In 55 games, he hit .375 with one home run and 48 RBI. He led the team with 78 hits.

Harding opens its 2012 season on Feb. 11 against Maryville University. The doubleheader begins at Jerry Moore Field in Searcy at noon.

By Scott Goode