going green

Delta State, a team on a mission in 2011, is off to a 3-0 start. And there’s more good news for the Statesmen, who have missed the NCAA Division II postseason the last two years: Kellen Bozeman appears to be back in form. Bozeman is hitting .364 with eight RBIs in the three games to date. The DSU first baseman missed last season with an injury after hitting .350 with 11 homers and 57 RBIs in 2009. The Statesmen went 34-16-1 last season, a more-than-respectable mark. But they went 2-and-out at home in the Gulf South Conference Tournament and didn’t get a regional invitation. It was a bitter end for this proud program. You can bet the Statesmen are aching to get back on the postseason track this spring. With Bozeman, preseason All-GSC pick Michael Niemann (.310, 26 stolen bases in 2010) and Michael Vinson (.363, 48 RBIs as a freshman last year) leading the way, they certainly have that potential.
P.S. Former DSU pitcher Dusty Hughes goes on the list of Mississippians changing pro clubs this year. The left-handed reliever, who posted a 3.83 ERA with Kansas City in 2010, was claimed on waivers by Minnesota late last month. That’s a move up for Hughes. The Twins will contend again in the American League Central; the Royals don’t figure to do so.