Baseball tabbed second in Southland preseason poll
2/3/2010 7:15:00 PM | Baseball
The Bobcats received five first-place votes and 114 points in the coaches' poll Texas State returns 19 letterwinners, five starters and nine pitchers from a Bobcat squad that won its first regular-season title since 1997 and posted its best record in program history with 41 overall wins and 24 league wins last year.
Sam Houston State, the three-time defending Southland tournament champions, is tabbed to finish a close second to Texas State. The Bearkats received four first-place votes and 107 points in the coaches' poll.
Sam Houston returns only 10 lettermen from last year's squad that represented the Southland Conference in the NCAA regionals for the third consecutive year in 2009. But those returnees include preseason All-America infielder Braeden Riley who led the NCAA in total hits (111) and Ryan Mooney who started 51 games at third base and shortstop.
The Kats also feature a quality pitching staff led by Dallas Gallant and Matt Shelton.
The remaining first-place votes went to Lamar. The Cardinals were the third place pick of the head coaches. After Lamar, Southeastern Louisiana was picked fourth, followed by UTSA, UT Arlington, Northwestern State and Stephen F. Austin.
Opening day of the Southland season is Feb. 19 with conference play beginning March 5. For the second consecutive season, the Southland Conference tournament will be played at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, Texas. The event will be held May 26-29.
Season tickets for Sam Houston baseball are on sale now on line at www.gobearkats.com. Go to the season ticket information page for complete details.
Fans also may contact the Sam Houston State athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.
Southland Conference Head Baseball Coaches Poll
Pl. School (first-place votes)............................... Pts.
1. Texas State (5).......................................... 114
2. Sam Houston State (4)................................ 107
3. Lamar (3).................................................. 105
4. Southeastern Louisiana................................. 84
5. UTSA.......................................................... 77
6. UT Arlington................................................ 73
7. Northwestern State....................................... 65
8. Stephen F. Austin......................................... 50
9. Central Arkansas.......................................... 39
10. McNeese State............................................... 34
11. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi................................ 23
12. Nicholls......................................................... 17
