BARONS BASEBALL

Baseball season this weekend gets serious as Brewton-Parker College's team hosts its conference opener.

Up to this point, Barons coach Chad Parker has been hoping that the team's young talent would gain playing experience. Mistakes were expected.

Everything changes this week as the meaning of wins and losses now has extra meaning.

"We knew going into the season that we were a young team," said Parker, "and that we were going to make a lot of early season mistakes."

He now hopes those mistakes have provided learning experiences that will provide team improvement.

The Barons record stands at 3-10 as the young players work toward unifying their efforts.

Brewton-Parker lost 14-3 to Embry Riddle and 13-2 to Augusta State this past week.

"We are learning from our mistakes and are getting better," Parker said. "If we do that, we will have a chance to be successful late in the season and make a playoff run."

The Barons this week open Georgia-Alabama-Carolina Conference action by hosting three games against Shorter College. The opening game will be played on Friday at 6 p.m., with Saturday's doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.

Barons shortstop Ashley Hooks, a freshman from Swainsboro, Ga., tags an Augusta State runner who tried to steal second base during last week's competition. Brewton-Parker College's team this weekend opens conference play at home against Shorter.

LADY BARONS BASKETBALL

Fingers on the hands of the Brewton-Parker College women's basketball team are crossed.

Hopes during the Georgia-Alabama-Carolina Conference's final week of regular season play focus on returning to the NAIA national championship, and they need a little luck.

Coach Tommy Dalley and his team are hoping recent victories will push the team back into the NAIA's national rankings.

A spot in the rankings would ensure the Lady Barons of a return trip to the NAIA tournament.

They also hope to close the season by setting a Brewton-Parker record, for having back-to-back seasons with 20 wins.

The team has a record of 19-9 (7-6) and is guaranteed of playing at least two more games. A win against Georgia Southwestern in the season's final game, or against Emmanuel in the GACC tournament opener will secure the team record.

The Lady Barons close their regular season with a battle against Georgia Southwestern and will then head back to Dahlonega for the GACC tournament being held Feb. 27-March 3.

With one final regular season game, the GACC standings are:

1. North Georgia 27-3 (12-2)

2. Auburn-Montgomery 15-14 (11-3)

3. Shorter 20-9 (10-4)

4. Brewton-Parker 19-9 (7-6)

5. Emmanuel 16-13 (5-8)

6. Georgia Southwestern 10-18 (4-9)

7. Reinhardt 11-18 (3-11)

8. Southern Wesleyan 7-22 (2-11)

Three GACC teams are ranked in the NAIA national poll. North Georgia is No. 5, Shorter is No. 25, and Auburn-Montgomery is honorable mention.

BARON BASKETBALL

Preparations by the Brewton-Parker College men's basketball team are under way to twice clash with Georgia Southwestern.

Regular season ends with the Barons traveling to Americus, Ga., to face the Hurricanes.

Brewton-Parker 17-12 (8-9) is No. 5 in the Georgia-Alabama-Carolina Conference standings and Georgia Southwestern 19-11 (11-6) is No. 4.

Whatever the outcome of the first game, the two teams are destined to again meet in the opening round of the GACC tournament that opens Feb. 27 in Dahlonega, Ga.

Coach Steve Barker has had a week to focus on season-ending planning and for the upcoming conference tournament.

With one regular season game left, the GACC standings are:

1. Faulkner 22-7 (16-1)

2. Southern Polytechnic 25-4 (14-3)

3. Auburn-Montgomery 18-8 (13-4)

4. Georgia Southwestern 19-11 (11-6)

5. Brewton-Parker 17-12 (8-9)

6. Emmanuel 11-20 (7-10)

7. Southern Wesleyan 8-22 (6-10)

8. Reinhardt 11-20 (6-12)

9. North Georgia 8-21 (3-14)

10. Shorter 3-24 (1-16)

Four of the GACC teams have received recognition in the NAIA national poll. Southern Polytechnic is No. 4; Faulkner is No. 13; and Auburn-Montgomery and Georgia Southwestern received enough votes for status as honorable mention.