SIGNAL

Sports Editor Bud L. Ellis Panthers get new assisatant basket ball coach Associate Editor See page 6 Rob Manley

Covering Georgia State University Sports Budman's Beat Mortimer, Glover named All-Atlantic

Bud L. Ellis Sports Editor \ GAINESVILLE, GA. - OK, so I'm back. 1 knew I'd come back I at some point in time, but I figured it would be after my internship at The Times here in Gainesville. But you know what, that's okay. 1 Photo by Ellen Ostapower Heifers — the Signol (Above) Outfielder lason Glover, an All-Atlantic Region honoree, missed writing this thing, won TAAC player-of-the-year honors. so let's get on with things. (Right) Catcher Mark Mortimer was named to the All-Atlantic While I've been away Region team after winning the TAAC batting title. Photo by Hot Cheisei SHepaid — the S>gnol I've been thinking about some things and it's time By Bud L. Ellis clip. He hit seven homers and pionship in 1996 and ad­ mas, designated hitter, Ga. to spout off, so to speak: Staff Writer drove home 43 runs while an­ vanced to postseason play for Tech; Kris Henson, , BASEBALL: I've choring the GSU defense from the first time in 16 years. Clemson; Seth Creisinger, given Jeff Blauser a hell Although it's June and the behind the plate. Following is the complete pitcher, Virginia; Evan Tho­ of a time the last two baseball season has been Glover, a junior who won ABC All-Atlantic Region team: mas, pitcher, Florida Interna­ months. The problem is over for more than a month, TAAC player-of-the-year and FIRST TEAM: Tommy Pe- tional; Tod Lee, pitcher, Geor­ I really like him, as a per­ the firsts continue for the GSU male athlete-of-the-year terman, first base, Ga. South­ gia Southern. son. He's been as nice to 1996 Georgia State Panthers. awards, hit .345 with 20 hom- ern; Scott Zech, second base, SECOND TEAM: Alex me as any athlete in this For the first time in his­ Tolbert, first base, Western town when I've talked to tory the Panthers have placed Carolina; Adam Leggett, sec­ him. somebody on the American "For the first time in history the ond base, Ga. Tech; Kevin I've been saying for Baseball Coaches All-Atlantic Nicholson, , the last two months that Region baseball team. Stetson; Chris Heintz, third all had to do Actually, make that two Panthers have placed somebody on base, South Florida; Jason was sit him down for four somebodies. Glover, outfield, Ga. State; or five days, let him clear Catcher Mark Mortimer the American Baseball Coaches All- Joey Anderson, outfield, UNC- his head and he'd be fine. and outfielder Jason Glover Charlotte; Antoine Moran, Well, it appears that fi­ are the first two Panthers to outfield, Ga. Southern; Jake nally, Jeff has broken his earn all-region status. Both Atlantic Region baseball team." Weber, outfield, N.C. State; slump, at the plate and in players were selected to the Mark Mortimer, catcher, Ga. the field. second-team. ers and 62 RBI's. The homers Florida St.; Brooks Badeaux, State; Mandy Jacomino, des­ I don't care how Mortimer, a sophomore and RBIs represent school shortstop, Florida St.; Pat ignated hitter N.C. State; much pride he's got, who earned freshman Ail- records, as Glover broke all- Burrell, third base, Miami; J.D. Randy Choate, pitcher, Jeff's struggles in the American status last year time GSU records in both cat­ Drew, outfield, Florida St.; Florida St.; Julio Ayala, field were bothering his from Collegiate Baseball maga­ egories. He led the nation in Kevin Barker, outfield, Virginia pitcher, Ga. Southern; Brett hitting and vice versa. zine, won the Trans America homers for a large portion of Tech; Jeremy Morris, outfield, Slack, pitcher, N.C. State; But it looks like he's bro­ Athletic Conference batting the season. Florida St.; Mark Fischer, out­ Robbie Morrison, pitcher, Mi­ ken the jinx in both championship in 1996, torch­ The Panthers won the field, Ga. Tech; Matt LeCroy, ami. places. He's been swing­ ing opposing pitching at a .403 TAAC Eastern Division cham- catcher, Clemson; J.J. Tho- ing one of the hottest bats on the Braves and he's made some great plays in the field. Now maybe I can leave him Brew-ha-ha; Glover selected by Milwaukee alone. Personally (and I can From staff reports The Milwaukee Brewers After missing all but two Glover stated earlier this year hear the people going, selected the junior from Stone games a year ago with a knee he'd make a decision about Georgia State Panthers' "sure Bud, whatever") I Mountain in the 30th round injury, Glover bashed oppos­ turning pro based on where center fielder Jason Glover hope Blauser wins the during the amateur baseball ing pitching in '96 while help­ he was drafted. made history last year when ' MVP award draft earlier this month. ing GSU reach the postseason Glover's return to a Pan­ he was drafted by the Balti­ for what he's had to put Glover, the 1996 Trans for the first time in 16 years. thers' team that loses just one more'Orioles, becoming only up with from people like America Athletic Conference Glover and Russell Eagle senior — infielder Michael the second GSU player to be me. player-of-the-year, hit .345 (1980, ) are the Brand — would make GSU a chosen in the Major League Speaking of baseball, with a school record 20 hom­ only two baseball players favorite to win the TAAC title Baseball draft. presi­ ers and a school record 62 from GSU to be drafted by a in 1997. He's now the second and dent Gene Budig can kiss RBIs in 1996. He holds GSU's team. third player to be picked from all-time homers (45) and RBIs A health and physical GSU Sports Information See "Budman," page 6 the program. (130) marks. education major at GSU, contributed to this report