Southern Illinoise University Athletics
MVC Preseason Poll Has SIU Baseball Ranked Sixth
02/01/2012 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
Feb. 1, 2012
By Scott Gierman
SIUSalukis.com
ST. LOUIS - The Southern Illinois baseball team has been picked to finish sixth out of eight teams in the 2012 Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, announced Wednesday. The poll is voted on by the coaches of the MVC. SIU received 31 votes in the poll, three shy of fifth place Illinois State.
"At no point in my 22 years, can I recall more quality returning players throughout the league," Coach Ken Henderson said. "The MVC was the 7th best rated conference in the country after last year and should be even better this year. There is a great deal of parity in the league and it will be exciting and challenging to get on the field and play it out."
A pair of Saluki hitters landed on the preseason All-Conference team with first baseman Chris Serritella and outfielder Jordan Sivertsen. Serritella was first team All-MVC in 2010 before missing last season with a wrist injury. Sivertsen was second team All-MVC in 2011.
"it is nice that Chris and Jordan have been recognized," Henderson said. "They should anchor our offense and are well deserving of this honor."
In 2011, the Salukis were picked seventh in the preseason poll and finished the regular season fifth in the league standings with an 11-10 mark in the conference and a 23-34 overall record. This year's team returns eight of nine starting position players along with All-MVC starting pitcher Cody Forsythe.
2012 MVC Preseason Poll
| Rank | Team (1st Place Votes) | Votes |
| 1. | Missouri State (5) | 60 |
| 2. | Creighton (3) | 53 |
| 3. | Wichita State | 47 |
| 4. | Indiana State | 37 |
| 5. | Illinois State | 34 |
| 6. | Southern Illinois | 31 |
| 7. | Bradley | 15 |
| 8. | Evansville | 11 |
2012 MVC Preseason All-Conference Team
| Chris Serritella, 1B, Jr., Southern Illinois |
| Kevin Medrano, 2B, Sr., Missouri State |
| Koby Kraemer, 3B, Jr., Indiana State |
| Eric Stamets, SS, Jr., Evansville |
| Jeremy Lucas, C, Jr., Indiana State |
| Mike Hollenbeck, DH, So., Illinois State |
| Anthony Bemboom, UT, Sr., Creighton |
| Mike Gerber, OF, So., Creighton |
| Robby Ort, OF, Jr., Indiana State |
| Jordan Sivertsen, OF, Sr., Southern Illinois |
| Mike Tauchman, OF, Jr., Bradley |
| Ty Blach, SP, Jr., Creighton |
| Nick Petree, SP, So., Missouri State |
| Kenny Long, RP, Sr., Illinois State |
| Kurt Spomer, RP, Sr., Creighton |
