BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Four players landed on the 2011 Preseason All-Gulf South Conference team, and the University of West Alabama baseball team has been selected to finish third in the Gulf South Conference East Division in the preseason prognostication that was released Tuesday by the conference office.

The order of finish was selected by the head coaches of the GSC East Division.

West Florida was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the East as the Argos received four first place votes. Valdosta State picked up the two additional votes for the top spot to be selected to finish second, while North Alabama joined the Red and White in a tie for the third position. Alabama in Huntsville and West Georgia rounded out the division as they were chosen to place fifth and sixth, respectively.

UWA placed four on the Preseason All-GSC team which is made up of all returning All-GSC players from a year ago. Kevin Deese and Brian Simone were First Team honorees last spring after putting together strong seasons offensively, and Colter Millican and Brian Burgess were Second Team selections a year ago following successful campaigns on the mound.

Deese led UWA in power last year as he registered eight homers on the season to go along with 14 doubles and three triples, leading to a slugging percentage of nearly .600, while Simone paced the squad with a .362 average at the plate while also scoring a team-best 36 runs.

Burgess set the school record for saves in a career last season as he recorded nine to give him 25 overall. That mark also puts him into a tie for the most in GSC history. Millican put together a 6-3 record as he started 11 contests for the Tigers and compiled a 3.36 ERA. 

The GSC also honored the league's top newcomers on Tuesday, and the Tigers were represented by Ladarrius Cole, Jeb Huber and Barry Meeks. 

Cole is a transfer from Itawamba Community College where he hit over. 400 over the span of two seasons while also collecting 36 steals. Meeks comes to UWA after a year at East Central Community College after compiling a 3-1 record while appearing in 17 contests for the Warriors. A product of Delgado Community College, Huber struck out 115 batters during two seasons of work while registering a 16-7 record.

The Tigers open up the 2011 season on Feb. 4 in Columbus, Ga. as they begin the season with a three-game series at Columbus State. First pitch for the season opener is scheduled for 3 p.m. CST.