Perfectgame.org 2012 NCAA Div. II Baseball Preview

CLEVELAND, Miss.-- The Delta State baseball team has been tabbed by perfectgame.org as the eighth best team in the country. The website released their 2012 NCAA Division II Preview this week, and had high marks for the Statesmen.

The University of Tampa was tabbed as the No. 1 team in the poll, and was followed by Grand Valley State (Mich.), and Francis Marion (S.C.).

Senior pitcher Aaron Newcomb is listed as the Statesmen's top prospect. The Centralia, Ill. native, transferred to Delta State from Olney Central Community College (Ill.). Newcomb finished the 2011 season with a 7-7 record, and an ERA of 4.43 for the Statesmen. He pitched 85.1 innings, walked 19 batters, and fanned 77. Newcomb was also named All-GSC West Division Second Team for his efforts in 2011.

Newcomb is listed as the 49th best prospect in Div. II on the perfectgame.org site. Stephen Johnson, a right-handed pitcher for St. Edwards (Texas) is listed as the top overall prospect in NCAA Div. II. Tampa leads the way on the prospect list with five players, all listed in the top-25. The Statesmen will face Tampa on Feb.25 in Valdosta, Ga.

The Statesmen will get their season underway Feb. 10-12 in Montevallo, Ala. The three-game series gets underway next Friday with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.