RICHMOND, Ky. - Coach Jim Ward's Eastern Kentucky University Colonel baseball team closed its 1999 season last weekend with a third-place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament that was played in Cape Girardeau, MO.

Eastern opened the tourney with wins over Murray State (8-5) and Southeast Missouri (13-6), before falling to eventual tournament champion Eastern Illinois (9-4) and Middle Tennessee (4-3).

"I'm really proud of our team. We competed so well and it's tough to go out with a close loss like we had to Middle," said Ward. "This was as good a senior class as we've had. It was fun this year.

"Our objective was to win a ring. This was a real good baseball season and we're looking forward to good things next year because we have a good nucleus coming back."

The 1999 Colonels set 13 school records and tied three others en route to their 35-25 overall mark. EKU finished 14-10 inside league play which tied the Colonels for third place in the final regular season standings.

Seven Colonels received post-season notice from the OVC, paced by junior first baseman Lee Chapman (.373-20 HR's-71 RBI's) and senior rightfielder Sean Murray (.355-13-61) who were picked first-team All-OVC by the conference head baseball coaches and sports information directors.

Receiving second-team all-conference notice were senior catcher Joe Smith (.299-11-48), junior third baseman Jason Sharp (.371-9-35), junior designated hitter Adam Basil (.344-12-47) and junior lefthanded relief pitcher Mike Martini (6-1, 5 saves, 4.22 ERA).

Freshman righthander Chip Albright, who defeated Murray State, 8-5, in the opening game of the OVC Tourney, was an honorable mention choice on the all-conference team. He closed the season with a 9-5 mark and 4.12 ERA.

Chapman and Murray were also selected to the All-OVC Tournament squad for 1999.