Feb. 17, 2009

IRVING, Texas -- Baylor was slotted in a third-place tie in the 2009 Big 12 Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, released Tuesday by the league office. The Bears (32-26, 11-16 in 2008) earned 59 points along with Oklahoma State. This marks the second consecutive year in which the league's coaches picked Baylor to finish third.

Defending Big 12 champion Texas A&M was a unanimous choice to defend its title. The Aggies received nine of 10 first-place votes; coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams. Texas, which garnered the other first-place vote, was picked to finish second with 69 total points. Missouri was picked fifth, followed by Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas Tech, Kansas State and Kansas.

This marks the first time since 2001 (Nebraska) that a team other than Texas was picked to win the Big 12 by the league's coaches. Baylor has been picked to finish fourth or better each year since 1999. This is the sixth time the Bears have been picked to finish third or better.

Baylor opens its 2009 season this weekend, hosting Pacific for a three-game series at Baylor Ballpark. The Bears and Tigers meet Friday at 6:30 p.m. CST, Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at noon.

Big 12 play begins the weekend of March 13-15 when Baylor faces Texas A&M, Missouri plays at Texas and Nebraska plays at Texas Tech.

2009 BIG 12 CONFERENCE PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
1. Texas A&M (9) 81
2. Texas (1) 69
3. BAYLOR 59
(tie) Oklahoma State 59
5. Missouri 51
6. Oklahoma 42
7. Nebraska 38
8. Texas Tech 25
9. Kansas State 15
10. Kansas 11

For more Baylor baseball information, check out Straight from the Pen.