Feb. 15, 2011
IRVING, Texas - Baylor baseball was picked fourth in the Big 12 Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll released Tuesday by the league office. The Bears received 57 points, placing them behind only Oklahoma (78), Texas (76) and Texas A&M (63).
Baylor (36-24 in 2010) returns eight starting position players and 11 of 15 letterwinning pitchers from 2010. The Bears welcome back 2010 All-Big 12 selections Logan Verrett and Brooks Pinckard, as well as 2010 Freshman All-Americans Logan Vick and Max Muncy.
Oklahoma has been picked to win the conference after making its first trip to the College World Series since 1995 last season. The Sooners received six of 10 first-place votes, while Texas received the other four votes and was just two points behind OU in second place. It's the first time since 2002 that a team from outside the state of Texas has been picked to win the league.
Texas A&M was picked third with 63 points, followed by Baylor in fourth with 57. Baylor has been picked to finish in the top four of the league in 12 of 13 seasons since Baylor Ballpark opened in 1999.
The Bears, ranked 16th nationally by Baseball America, open the 2011 season by hosting Oral Roberts in the QTI Powers Opening Weekend Classic, Feb. 18-20. Friday's season opener is slated for a 4 p.m. first pitch.
Big 12 Conference play begins March 18-20. Baylor plays its first six Big 12 games at home, hosting Texas Tech in the conference opener and Kansas State for a three-game set the following weekend.
2011 BIG 12 CONFERENCE PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
1. Oklahoma (6) 78
2. Texas (4) 76
3. Texas A&M 63
4. BAYLOR 57
5. Kansas State 49
6. Oklahoma State 37
7. Texas Tech 31
8. Nebraska 22
9. Kansas 20
10. Missouri 17
