AIKEN, S.C. --- Tusculum College baseball players C.J. Hillyer and Jared Richmond will be providing a daily blog from the 2009 NCAA Division II Southeast Regional in Aiken, S.C.

The Pioneers are the No. 5 seed in this week's regional and will open tournament play on Thursday when they face second-seeded (No. 7 in nation) Francis Marion University at 3 p.m. from Roberto Hernandez Stadium on the campus of USC Aiken.

Hillyer, a senior left-handed pitcher from Abington, Mass., was named the SAC Pitcher of the Year and earned All-Conference First Team honors for the second time in his career. Hillyer has posted 7-2 record and a 2.55 earned run average. He is tied for eighth in career wins (16) and second all-time in career ERA (2.55).

Richmond, a junior outfielder from Ft. Smith, Ark., earned All-SAC First Team accolades while leading the team in triples (6), home runs (11) and RBI (49). He is also second in batting average (.363), doubles (13) and stolen bases (14). Richmond is one of the best defensive outfielders in the league, recorded eight fielding assists.

For comments, please contact the Tusculum sports information department.

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