Friday, September 28, 2007

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Sept. 28, 2007) - The East Tennessee State baseball team is making its final preparations the annual "Blue/Gold" World Series this weekend at Cardinal Park. Both games are open to the public and first pitch is set for 3 p.m. Saturday and noon on Sunday.

Both teams will have honorary coaches as ETSU's Voice of the Bucs/Network Director Jay Sandos will manage the Blue team, while Director of Business and Ticket Operations Phillip Al-Mateen guides the Gold squad.

This series marks the first time fans can catch a glimpse of the 2008 Baseball Bucs. Game one's starting pitchers pin senior Brandon Langston (Ringgold, Ga.) against freshman Bo Burton (Kingsport, Tenn.).

Langston takes the hill for the Gold team after posting a team-best 3.93 ERA (46 ER/105.1 IP) a year ago. The Georgia native also led the Bucs with 15 starts and 69 K's last season.

Burton, a graduate from Dobyns Bennett High School, went 9-2 with a 1.83 ERA and 83 strikeouts last season for the Indians and makes the start for the Blue squad. Prior to the 2007 campaign, Burton posted a perfect 11-0 mark, with 92 strikeouts against just 18 walks while compiling a 1.50 ERA at Dobyns Bennett.

Sunday's match-up features sophomore Drew Story (Jefferson City, Tenn.) versus freshman Josh Means (Kennesaw, Ga.). Story will take the mound for Al-Mateen's Gold team, while the rookie Means suits up for Sandos' Blue squad.

Means was the 31^st rated prospect in the country by Baseball America, and played his AAU ball for the prestigious East Cobb Yankees after being MVP of the East Cobb Astros for three consecutive seasons. The right-hander also threw a perfect game in high school and possesses a long list of accolades, including multiple MVPs and earning a spot on the esteemed Area Code Team in 2006.

Story appeared in 18 games, making 12 starts for ETSU last season. The Jefferson City native struck out 37 batters in 50 total innings of work. Story earned his first collegiate win in his second-ever start for the Bucs on Feb. 17 against Niagara, and collected his first save on March 31 over Campbell.

Please visit www.ETSUBucs.com for a recap following each game this weekend. Please click the link above for lineups.