AMERICUS, Ga. -- The Georgia Southwestern State University baseball team will open its 2024 season ranked fourth in the southeast region according to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) preseason poll released Tuesday afternoon. It's the first time in program history the Hurricanes have earned mention in the preseason poll. 

GSW, the defending Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament champions, finished 2023 with a record of 34-19 overall and 22-8 in the PBC. The Hurricanes made their first NCAA Tournament appearance last spring and return 24 players from that squad, highlighted by all-region starting pitchers Nick McCollum and Rijnaldo Euson. In addition, GSW returns its first Gold Glove recipient, first baseman Paul Hegeman, and all-conference selections Jake Blinstrub and Miles Hartsfield.

The Hurricanes open their 2024 campaign with a six-game homestand, starting Saturday, Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. against Emory & Henry College.