Feb. 10, 2012

Texas State tops Southland preseason polls

Texas State is the heavy favorite to repeat as regular-season champion for the fourth consecutive year in the Southland Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, as released by the conference office.

The Bobcats also topped the Sports Information Directors Poll.

Texas State received 11 first-place votes and 121 points in both polls. Southeastern Louisiana was second in the coaches poll with 88 points, followed by Stephen F. Austin, UTSA, Sam Houston State, Lamar, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, UT Arlington, McNeese State, Northwestern State, Nicholls and Central Arkansas.

The Bobcats return 20 letterwinners, including six position starters and 10 pitchers. Texas State won its third straight regular-season title in 2011 and its first Southland tourney title since 2000.

The 2012 campaign kicks off on Friday, Feb. 17, while conference play starts on March 9. The Southland Conference Tournament will be May 23-26 at the Bobcat Baseball Stadium in San Marcos, Texas.

2012 Southland Conference Preseason Coaches Poll

Team, Points (First Place) (2011 SLC, Overall Records)

1. Texas State, 121 (11) (23-9, 40-23)

2. Southeastern Louisiana, 88 (18-14, 35-22)

3. Stephen F. Austin, 84 (20-13, 10-5)

4. UTSA, 82 (16-17, 27-32)

5. Sam Houston State, 77 (1) (17-16, 35-24)

6. Lamar, 67 (15-18, 29-27)

7. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 51 (19-14, 37-24)

8. UT Arlington, 49 (15-17, 27-28)

9. McNeese State, 43 (14-19, 26-29)

10. Northwestern State, 42 (11-21, 22-32)

11. Nicholls, 39 (15-18, 28-29)

12. Central Arkansas, 31 (13-20, 24-29)

2012 Southland Conference Preseason SIDs Poll

Team, Points (First Place) (2011 SLC, Overall Records)

1. Texas State, 121 (11) (23-9, 40-23)

2. Stephen F. Austin, 92 (1) (20-13, 37-23)

3. Southeastern Louisiana, 88 (18-14, 35-22)

4. UTSA, 83 (16-17, 27-32)

5. Lamar, 79 (15-18, 29-27)

6. Sam Houston State, 74 (17-16, 35-24)

7. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 66 (19-14, 37-24)

8. UT Arlington, 52 (15-17, 27-28)

t9. McNeese State, 39 (14-19, 26-29)

t9. Nicholls, 39 (15-18, 28-29)

11. Northwestern State, 31 (11-21, 22-32)

12. Central Arkansas, 27 (13-20, 24-29)