RICHMOND, Ky. - Coach Jim Ward's Eastern Kentucky University Colonel baseball team will open Ohio Valley Conference Tournament play Thursday against Murray State at 2:30 p.m. EST in the first round at Southeast Missouri State University's Capaha Park.

EKU, 33-23 overall, finished tied for third with Middle Tennessee in league play with a 14-10 record, but received the third seed because of winning two of three games this weekend from the Blue Raiders. Murray State, 30-24-1 overall and 13-11 in conference play, placed sixth in the final OVC standings.

EKU played at Murray State earlier this year, sweeping the 'Breds, 9-1, 11-6, 13-7. However, Ward knows that all past records can be thrown away at tournament time.

"Murray State has proven that they're a quality team. They have some guys in the middle of their lineup that can really hurt you. I feel good about the way we're playing. This should be a really competitive tournament," Ward said.

Freshman righthander Chip Albright, who defeated Middle Tennessee over the weekend 6-1 on a five-hitter and who bested Murray State 9-1 earlier this year, will get the starting call vs. the 'Breds. On the year, he leads EKU in wins (8-5), ERA (4.04) and innings pitched (91.1).

Junior third baseman Jason Sharp, who went 4-9 vs. MTSU with a home run and five RBI's, is leading the team in hitting with his .387 average. Other Colonel regulars and their batting averages include junior first baseman Lee Chapman (.358), senior rightfielder Sean Murray (.353), junior designated hitter Adam Basil (.338), freshman shortstop Kiley Vaughn (.325), junior rightfielder Brad Sizemore (.309), senior third baseman J.D. Bussell (.304), senior catcher Joe Smith (.300) and junior leftfielder Tom White (.290).

Should Eastern win Thursday's game, the Colonels would then enter the double-elimination format with four teams remaining. A loss Thursday would end Eastern's 1999 season.