TTiePllOT^
Gar drier-Webh University
Thursday, February 27, 2003
www.gwupilot com
Volume 6 No. 9
Off to a s
Conference play t
begin this weekend
By Emily Killian and John Olson
Pilot staff
Right now, the so-called Gardner-
Webb ‘Diamond Dogs’ are worth their
weight in gold.
After winning their last three home
games, the Dogs are looking forward to
eight more games on the road in 10
days.
On Feb. 25, the Dogs added another win to
their record, defeating East Tennessee State
University, 9-0, extending their winning streak to
five games, three of which are at home.
“We’re in a groove right now,” said Joey Siak,
who pitched in game two against N.C. A&T Sunday.
“We’re playing with level heads. We have the talent,
and if we go out there and really play, we’ll be able
to hang in with them [other Division I teams].”
The Dogs, ranked last in both A-Sun coaches and
media polls, have exceeded preseason expectations.
“We look at it as an opportunity to make a name
for ourselves,” said outfielder Sammy Styers, “We’re
just going out there to play.”
The team’s confident attitude is built on last sea
son’s success and this season’s wins.
“Our attitude is expecting to win and compete
with these other teams,”said Siak.
Other teams competing against the Dogs include
Florida Atlantic, ranked 24 in Baseball America’s
preseason Top 25 poll; Stetson, ranked 18; South
Carolina, ranked 14 and unranked University of
«
Florida.
On the Inside
Baseball
start
Sammy Styers bunts ■
during the second game vs.
N.C. A&T Sunday. The
Bulldogs won both games,
8-4 and 5-1.
Photo by Emily Killian
The Dogs (7-2) will face 26 Division I schools
this season as a member of the Atlantic Sun
Conference.
Conference play begins Feb. 28 against Florida
Atlantic University in a three-game series. Although
Florida Atlantic is 9-4 this season, the GWU players
are enthusiastic about the upcoming game.
“We treat every team the same,” said Abe
Gonzalez, a pitcher for the Dogs. “All teams are on
the same level [for us].”
Styers believes that the team has “really meshed
together” and stressed the team’s chemistry this sea
son.
see Baseball page 8
Campus police
Professor
Guys strike
“Daredevil”
Swimmers
News.... page 2-3
investigating
nominated for
out on pick-up
hits theaters;
finish season on
Features... page 4,5
series of
poetry
lines
gets rave
strong note
Op/Ed.’... page 6
thens....
award....
reviews
A&E.... page 7
page 2
page 3
pages 6
page 7
page 8
Sports page 8