February 14, 2008
San Antonio – St. Mary’s University was picked to finish second in the Heartland Conference baseball race this season in a poll of league coaches and sports information directors it was announced this week.
The Rattlers, who finished 38-16 overall, and 30-10 in Heartland Conference play last season, received a total of 86 points in the poll. St. Edward’s University was picked to finish first for the second straight season and received 101 points, including 11 of the 13 first place votes. The University of the Incarnate Word finished third with 83 points, including two first place votes.
Texas A&M-International University was fourth with 51 points, followed closely by the University of Texas of the Permian Basin with 50. In sixth was Lincoln with 41 points, Newman was seventh with 39 and Oklahoma Panhandle State was eighth with 17 points.
The Rattlers have won four in a row and are 4-1 overall and 3-0 in Heartland play this season. St. Mary’s will return to action on Friday when they host the University of Texas of the Permian Basin at V.J. Keefe Memorial Stadium in a Heartland Conference doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
Heartland Conference Preseason Poll
1., St. Edward’s, 101
2., St. Mary’s, 86
3., Incarnate Word, 83
4., Texas A&M-International, 51
5., Texas-Permian Basin, 50
6., Lincoln, 41
7., Newman, 39
8., Oklahoma Panhandle State, 17