FROM STAFF REPORTS

Three Jacksonville State University baseball players from Shelby County were recently selected to the All-Ohio Valley Conference baseball team.

Junior second baseman Bert Smith returns for another season with the Gamecocks, and is one of two local offensive players named to the preseason All-OVC Team. The Helena native hit .359 last season, scored 59 runs and led the OVC with 31 stolen bases in 60 games.

The other is designated hitter Jay Harrington of Spain Park High School, who batted .347 with 17 RBIs in 2007.

Junior relief pitcher Alex Jones, also of Spain Park, led the OVC with 30 appearances last season and finished with a 4.02 ERA and four saves.

JSU was selected as the favorite to win the OVC this season, as it begins its celebration of 60 years of baseball with a home series against Middle Tennessee State University on Friday.