SAVANNAH, Ga.- The Savannah State Tigers are scheduled to begin their 2011 baseball season on February 19 at 12 p.m. by hosting the St. Peters Peacocks in a double-header at Tiger Field.

Carlton Hardy begins his sixth season as head coach of the Tigers.

SSU is looking to return to its winning ways. Savannah State posted a 24-26 record last season and have not had a winning season in three years.

The 30-man roster has experience with 22 upper-classmen and five seniors.

Senior Dexter Kelley (6-3, 220) is the top returning hitter. Kelley batted .386 with 68 hits, 55 runs, 60 runs batted in, 16 doubles, 5 home runs and 2 triples.

Also set to return are sophomore 3B/p Joseph McCrary III (6-0, 165) who hit .378 with 56 hits, 33 RBI and 10 doubles, outfielder Dondrequis Jackson (6-4, 190), junior utility man Julius Green (6-0, 180), red-shirt junior infielder Matthew Oglesby (5-10, 170), senior 1B Matthew Nowacki (5-11, 175), and senior catcher Emory Barkley (6-0, 200).

Returning to the mound will be senior right-hander Michael Allegretti (6-0, 160). The Savannah native went 6-6 last year with a 5.25 earned run average while hurling 85 innings and striking out 62. Eric Ransom (6-1, 195), Joseph Jackson (6-7, 260) and Kevin Herlihy (6-3, 175) also return.

Newcomers include infielder Todd Hagen (5-9, 160), ourfielder Chad Kennedy (6-5, 185) and pitchers Gazzara Mitchell (5-10, 170), Kyle McGowin (6-5, 175), Tommy Freeman (6-6, 195), Dezmond Moore (6-0, 200), Brandon Primus (6-1, 215) and Jake Durham (5-11, 175).