Feb. 15, 2012

Oral Roberts is favorite again in Summit League

Oral Roberts is a heavy favorite in the Summit League Preseason Poll, in voting by the league’s head coaches and released by the conference office.

The Golden Eagles picked up six first-place votes and 26 points to take the top spot. ORU has won the past 14 consecutive Summit tourney titles. The Golden Eagles return sophomore Alex Gonzalez, the reigning Summit Pitcher and Newcomer of the Year.

Western Illinois took second with 27 points to edge South Dakota State with 25 points. North Dakota State had 21 points to sit in fourth, while Southern Utah received the final first-place vote and 21 points for fifth, followed by Oakland and IPFW.

The season starts on Friday, Feb. 17, with five of the seven league teams in action. Conference play begins the weekend of April 6-8. The top four teams advance to the Summit Tournament from May 24-26 at J.L. Johnson Stadium in Tulsa, Okla.

2012 Summit Preseason Coaches Poll

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

1. Oral Roberts, 36 (6) (21-7, 39-22)
2. Western Illinois, 27 (13-15, 21-38)
3. South Dakota State, 25 (20-8, 37-20)
4. North Dakota State, 21 (15-12, 22-32)
5. Southern Utah, 19 (1) (11-17, 23-31)
6. Oakland, 11 (10-18, 19-31)
7. IPFW, 8 (12-16, 17-34)

(photo by Dennis Hubbard)