May 13, 2010

RedStorm back in Top 25

Kansas City, Mo. --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm baseball team is back in the NAIA Top 25. The RedStorm, fresh off their Mid-South Conference Tournament Championship, appear at No. 25 in the final regular season poll of the year.

Rio Grande (47-11) is in the rating for the fourth time this season, one of the many school records established by the team this season. "We're very proud of what the kids have accomplished and I made the comment before, that we still have a lot of proving to do," said Rio Grande head coach Brad Warnimont. "Going into the regional tournament, maybe it gives an opportunity to prove that with the third most wins in the nation that maybe we're a little more deserving than twenty-five."

"But we've got to go out and prove that," he added.

They were just outside the Top 25 at No. 27 in last week's poll. 

Rio now prepares for its first ever appearance in the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round series. 

The RedStorm do not know where or who they will play as of yet, but Warnimont knows the competition from here on out will be tough. "That was the comment that I made to our guys yesterday in practice, everybody's a conference champion now, you're going to play a one (seed) or a two (seed) or a first or second place team," Warnimont said. "Everybody's going to be a quality opponent."

"It's going to be like running in and playing another conference tournament," Warnimont added. "I think we've got a special club though, our kids have a special bond and unity. The team chemistry is outstanding and I think this club can do some special things."

"We'll find out Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week just how special it can be," he said. "It could be one of those special seasons."

The announcement of the tournament field will be made late Thursday.