Feb. 11, 2011

click here for coaches' OVC preseason poll

click here for coaches' preseason All-OVC team

 

Jacksonville State is on top in Ohio Valley Conference

 

CollegeBaseballInsider.com asked college coaches around the country to preview the 2011 college baseball season by sharing their insights on the teams and players to watch in their conferences. CBI compiled their answers to provide a sneak peek for the season ahead. click here for CBI Conference Previews

 

Today, we take a look at the OVC (six of nine coaches responded).

  

The team to beat is: Jacksonville State

 

Rank the top three starting pitchers: Mike Hoekstra, Eastern Illinois (pictured right); Jordan Underwood, Southeast Missouri; Dan Tobik, UT Martin

 

The top closer is: (tie) Ryne Purcell, Eastern Kentucky; and Shae Simmons, Southeast Missouri

 

The pitcher you least want to face is: Mike Hoekstra, Eastern Illinois

 

The most underrated pitcher is: Dan Tobik, UT Martin

 

The best defensive catcher is: Jesse Tierney, Southeast Missouri

 

The best catcher arm is: Jesse Tierney, Southeast Missouri

 

The best defensive infielder is: Kenton Parmley, Southeast Missouri

 

The best infield arm is: Kenton Parmley, Southeast Missouri

 

The best defensive outfielder is: Chad Oberacker, Tennessee Tech

 

The best outfield arm is: (tie) Kyle Bluestein, Jacksonville State; and Nick Harris, Southeast Missouri

 

Rank the three best pure hitters: *Chad Oberacker, Tennessee Tech (pictured right); Zach Borenstein, Eastern Illinois; Michael Adamson, Southeast Missouri

 

Rank the three biggest power threats: Louie Haseltine, Southeast Missouri; Wes Patterson, UT Martin; Zach Borenstein, Eastern Illinois

 

The hitter you least want to face is: *Chad Oberacker, Tennessee Tech

 

The toughest hitter to strike out is: Richie Rodriguez, Eastern Kentucky

 

The most underrated hitter is: no player received more than one vote

 

The best base-runner is: Jon Clinard, Austin Peay

 

The best game coach is: Jim Case, Jacksonville State

 

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job is: *Steve Gillispie, Jacksonville State

 

*unanimous selection

 

(photos courtesy of Eastern Illinois and Tennessee Tech Media Relations Offices)