Sooners Selected Sixth In Big 12 Preseason Baseball Poll

With a host of new talent on board, the Oklahoma baseball team was picked sixth in the Big 12 Conterence Coaches Preseason Poll as released by the league office on Thursday. OU received 37 points in the poll and placed one spot behind in-state rival Oklahoma State.

The Longhorns again topped the list for the second straight year with 81 points, including nine first place votes. Nebraska was the only other team to receive a first place vote as they finished in third place behind Baylor. The poll was based on a vote by each of the 10 conference head coaches who were not allowed to cast a vote for their own team in the process.

Following Nebraska was Texas A&M at No. 4 and rounding out the list was Texas Tech (No. 7), Kansas (No. 8), Missouri (No. 9) and Kansas State (No.10).

“We look at these rankings as motivation for the season and understand that the only poll that really matters is where we finish at the end of the season,” commented Sooner skipper Larry Cochell.

“The Big 12 Conference year in and year out presents such tough challenges with anyone you face in the league and we expect this year to be no different.”

Despite the ranking, the Sooners' prospects for the season look bright. OU's incoming class was recently ranked as the ninth-best in the country by Collegiate Baseball. The highly-touted class includes three Junior College All-Americans and four high school All-State picks.

Other returning players that are expected to make an impact are seniors Casey Brown and Mark Roberts; juniors Matt Bose, David Purcey and Jarod McAuliff; and sophomore Russell Raley.

With the new additions, the Sooners will start the season on Friday, Feb. 13, against Gonzaga in the Coca-Cola Classic Spring Tournament in Surprise, Ariz., and will begin the fight for the Big 12 Conference title on March 19 against Texas.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooners Selected Sixth In Big 12 Preseason Baseball Poll

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors