Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Baseball Picked Eighth In MVC Coaches Preseason Poll
02/08/2002 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
Feb. 8, 2002
St. Louis, Mo. - Southern Illinois University was picked to finish eighth in the 2002 Missouri Valley Conference Coaches Preseason Baseball Poll that was released today. The Salukis received 31 points in the poll. The Salukis also were not represented on the 2002 Preseason All-MVC Team.
"I think we have nowhere to go but up. Our staff and kids feel slighted, but this may give us some added incentive. I know we're better than an eighth place team," head baseball coach Dan Callahan said. "In our eyes we're a top three team in this league and now we have to go out and prove it. We have two of the best pitchers in the league (Jake Alley & Luke Nelson) and brought in a good recruiting class so we'll see where we end up."
Defending champion Southwest Missouri State was picked first with 74 points and three of nine first place votes. SMS was followed by Wichita State (68 points), who received five first place votes and is ranked as high as #9 in the nation, Evansville (52), Indiana State (49), who received a first place vote, Northern Iowa (43), Creighton (40), Illinois State (33), SIU and Bradley (15).
Valley Preseason Poll
Team (First Place Votes) Points
1. Southwest Missouri State (3) 74
2. Wichita State (5) 68
3. Evansville 52
4. Indiana State (1) 49
5. Northern Iowa 43
6. Creighton 40
7. Illinois State 33
8. Southern Illinois 31
9. Bradley 15
MVC Preseason All-Conference
1B-Logan Sorensen, Wichita State Jr.
2B-Brian Burgamy, Wichita State Jr.
SS-Travis Welsch, Northern Iowa Sr.
3B-Matt Gardner, SMS Sr.
C-Tim Gradoville, Creighton Jr.
DH-Mike Saunches, Illinois State Jr.
OF-Dante Brinkley, SMS Jr.
OF-Ryan Cantrell, Illinois State Sr.
OF-Randy Walter, Wichita State Jr.
SP-Justin Maureau, Wichita State Jr.
SP-Brad Ziegler, SMS Jr.
RP-Bob Zimmermann, SMS So.
RP-Steve Haines, Wichita State Sr.
