CENTRAL PRODUCT BRANDON WEST MAY PITCH IN NCAA TOURNAMENT

One of the primary reasons Brandon West signed to play baseball at Southwest Missouri State University two years ago was fact the Bears' had made the NCAA Division I Tournament field two straight seasons.

"That's the main reason I signed," said the former Cape Girardeau Central High School standout. "I really wanted to play in the NCAA Tournament."

It took one year longer than West had envisioned, but he and the Bears are finally there.

After missing out on the NCAA tourney last year during West's first season in Springfield, the Bears are back. Southwest Missouri, which is 36-17, will compete in an NCAA regional in Fayeteville, Ark., beginning Friday along with Arkansas, Clemson and Delaware

"It's very exciting, for both me and the entire team," said West. "It was disappointing to miss out last year, but we made it this year and everybody is fired up."

A right-handed pitcher who both starts and comes out of the bullpen, West has been a solid performer for the Bears, whose primary forte is offense.

West has a 3-2 record, one save and a 6.14 earned-run average. He's made five starts and has two complete games.

No Southwest Missouri pitcher has overwhelming statistics. That department is left to the offense, which leads the nation with 138 home runs and ranks high in most other major categories.

"We've had about eight guys who have done most of the pitching," said West, who went 4-3 with four saves for the Bears last season. "We have some great hitters and that's been carrying us."

West graduated from Cape Central in 1995 after helping lead the Tigers to a state title as a junior. He spent two seasons playing at Jefferson College in Hillsboro before landing in Springfield.

West, who is majoring in general business, believes he has a shot at starting the Bears' second game of the regional on Saturday, although that won't be determined until the tourney opens.

But no matter what happens, he's just happy to be in the NCAA field.

"It's great that we got a close regional because my family can be there to watch," he said. "Looking back, I'm glad I signed (with Southwest). It's actually turned out even better than I thought it would."

* Two other Southeast Missouri products will be in the regional hosted by Arkansas.

Arkansas senior pitcher Kevin Vent of Sikeston is 3-3 with a 4.63 ERA, having appeared mostly in relief. He and West have played together on the Cape Girardeau Capahas in the past.

"It'll be great to see him," said West.

Southwest freshman second baseman Matt Garner of Hayti is batting .364 for the potent Bears' attack.