Baseball Picked Fifth in 2005 MVC Preseason Coaches Poll

Feb. 9, 2005

By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Junior utility player Nathan Emrick and senior relief pitcher Andrew Weber each garnered preseason honors, as Southern Illinois was picked fifth in this year's Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.

Emrick and Weber both earned first-team all-MVC accolades a year ago.

A native of Griggsville, Ill., Emrick made at least one start at seven different positions for the Salukis last season, and is expected to return to his natural home as a middle infielder in 2005.

He hit a team-leading .353, while topping SIU in several other categories, including games started (60), at-bats (238), runs (36) and hits (84). Emrick also ranked second on the team in RBI (34), total bases (97) and stolen bases (15).

Weber hails from Peotone, Ill. He emerged as SIU's top closer in 2004 when junior left-hander Eric Haberer became the Dawgs' ace. Haberer was later drafted in the third round by the St. Louis Cardinals.

A right-hander, Weber went 5-1 with both a team and league-leading 11 saves. His 11 saves also ranked 17th in the nation, as he enters the year second in career saves (12) at SIU behind Al Levine (19 SV, 1990-91).

Wichita State, who accumulated 78 points, including five first-place tallies, is this year's preseason favorite. Fresh off their 14th MVC Tournament title in 2004, the Shockers edged Creighton (75 pts.) by just three points.

Not far behind WSU and CU, is Southwest Missouri State, who was picked third for the second straight year. The Bears earned 74 points, and return preseason all-MVC pitcher Brett Sinkbeil. Sinkbeil was also named theValley's Freshman-of-the-Year last season.

Evansville (60 pts.) follows in fourth, as first baseman Erik Lis, designated hitter Pat Tumilty and outfielder Eric Jones earned preseason all-conference honors for the Aces.

SIU (55 pts.), also predicted to finish fifth in the MVC by Baseball America, returns five position starters and three starting pitchers to a young 29-man roster which includes 11 freshmen. The Salukis posted runner-up finishes at the MVC Tournament in each of the last two seasons.

Rounding out this year's poll are Northern Iowa (44 pts.), Indiana State (35 pts.), Bradley (33 pts.) and Illinois State (32 pts.).

SIU opens its 2005 season in Florida this weekend when it plays a three-game series at Stetson University, Feb. 11-13.

2005 MVC Preseason Team1B, Erik Lis, Evansville2B, Tony Roth, Creighton3B, Gabe Lapito, CreightonSS, Brad Dutton, CreightonC, Brad Canada, BradleyDH, Pat Tumilty, EvansvilleUT, Nathan Emrick, Southern IllinoisOF, Matt Bolt, Illinois StateOF, Eric Jones, EvansvilleOF, Jake Manning, SMSSP, Mike Pelfrey, Wichita StateSP, Brett Sinkbeil, SMSRP, Eric DeJong, Northern IowaRP, Andrew Weber, Southern Illinois

In other Saluki Baseball preseason news . . .
Senior shortstop/pitcher P.J. Finigan was ranked 24th among Baseball America's Fab 50 College Seniors. The national publication also placed Finigan among the top-five 2005-06 Draft Prospects in the MVC. Finigan was ranked fifth behind Wichita State's Mike Pelfrey and Kris Johnson, SMS' Brett Sinkbeil and Evansville's Erik Lis.

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Baseball Picked Fifth in 2005 MVC Preseason Coaches Poll

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