Complete All-GSC First and Second Team

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Delta State University Statesmen baseball team placed three players on the Gulf South Conference's All-GSC Team, led by First Team selections Michael Niemann and Jason Coats.  Cody Kelley was named to the Second Team.  

"We're proud of these young men for their efforts on the field and they were nicely rewarded today," Mike Kinnison, DSU head coach stated. 

Niemann, a 5-foot-10 junior centerfielder, is a two-time honoree.  The Yelm, Wash., native batted .310 during the regular season with 14 doubles, two triples, one home run and 37 RBIs.  He also swiped 25 bases in 29 attempts to rank third in the GSC. 

Coats, a 6-foot-1 senior right-hander, was also named to the First Team.  The Starkville native went 7-0 as a starter this year for the Statesmen.  In 12 appearances, including 11 starts, Coats pitched 63.2 innings, allowing 22 runs on 35 hits with 37 strikeouts. 

Kelley, a 5-foot-10 senior right-hander, garnered Second Team accolades after posting a 7-1 record with a 4.26 ERA.  In 13 starts, the Louisville native threw a team-high 82.1 innings, allowing 39 earned runs on 96 hits with 12 walks and a career-high 74 strikeouts. 

The trio will lead the Statesmen into the Gulf South Conference Tournament this Saturday, May 1, as DSU takes on Valdosta State in Millington, Tenn.  Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at USA Stadium.