ORU Picked Fourth In Preseason Baseball Coaches Poll

After finishing in a tie for third place last season, the Oral Roberts University baseball team has been picked to finish among the top of the Southland Conference, the league announced on Wednesday.

In the coaches poll, the Golden Eagles was tabbed to finish fourth, two points behind Lamar and Southeastern Louisiana, who were picked to finish in a tie for second, and Sam Houston State is predicted to repeat as regular season champions. The Bearkats were also picked to repeat by the league's sports information directors, while SLU was picked second and ORU third.

The Golden Eagles closed the regular season in a tie for third with SLU in 2013 with a 16-11 mark, and 25-32 overall.

In the coaches poll, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Central Arkansas, Stephen F. Austin and Nicholls are expected to finish fifth through eighth, while Northwestern State was picked to finish a spot higher than last season in the ninth spot and McNeese State was picked to finish tenth.

League newcomers Houston Baptist and New Orleans rounded out both polls in the 11th and 12th place positions, respectively.

Despite being tabbed to finish second by the SLC coaches, Lamar slipped down to sixth in the SID poll, behind Texas A&M-Corpus Christi who is expected to finish fourth and UCA in fifth. SFA, McNeese, Nicholls and Northwestern State were voted to finish seventh through tenth.

The Golden Eagles begin their 2014 campaign on February 14 as they host Southeast Missouri State in the first of a three-game set at home. First pitch of the SLC schedule is set to begin on March 14 at home against Northwestern State.

Coaches

Rk. University (First-Place Votes) Points

1. Sam Houston State (10) 120

T2. Lamar (1) 95

T2. Southeastern Louisiana (1) 95

4. Oral Roberts 93

5. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 91

6. Central Arkansas 82

7. Stephen F. Austin 61

8. Nicholls 43

9. Northwestern State 37

10. McNeese State 35

11. Houston Baptist 27

12. New Orleans 13

Sports Information Directors

Rk. University (First-Place Votes) Points

1. Sam Houston State (8) 117

2. Southeastern Louisiana (2) 100

3. Oral Roberts 95

4. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (1) 94

5. Central Arkansas (1) 83

6. Lamar 78

7. Stephen F. Austin 65

8. McNeese State 46

9. Nicholls 41

10. Northwestern State 34

11. Houston Baptist 26

12. New Orleans 13

Two Golden Eagles picked up preseason honors as Tyler Boss was named Preseason First Team All-Southland Conference and Jose Trevino was listed on the Second Team. Both players were Third Team All-Southland selections in 2013.

Earning the Third Team selection as a designated hitter last season, Boss had the second highest batting average on the team last season at .295. The Spring, Texas, native hit seven homeruns, added ten doubles and drove in 32 runners. The senior finished seventh in the league with a .479 slugging percentage.

A junior from Corpus Christi, Texas, Trevino earned the Preseason Second Team selection as a catcher. Trevino had no problem moving into the catcher roll in 2013, as he threw out 19 runners attempting to steal, third most in the SLC and the second most for Golden Eagle since 2001. Trevino hit .241 with a team high eight home runs, nine doubles and 37 runs batted in.

Boss, Trevino and the rest of the Golden Eagles begin play on February 14 as they host Southeast Missouri State in a three-game series.