Lions Baseball picked to finish sixth in 2013 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
Kansas City, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern baseball team has been picked to finish sixth in the 2013 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, the league announced today.
The Lions are coming off of a 32-19 season that saw the team go 23-17 in the MIAA and finish third in the final regular-season standings. The team returns 11 letterwinners and six starters including two players the team missed dearly last season in seniors Dallas Burke and Brett Abell. Both missed 2012 due to injuries, but were All-MIAA picks in 2011 and hope to return to that form this year.
Also returning are All-MIAA picks from last season in seniors Sam Ryan and Michael McCoy. Ryan should see time back at his familiar catcher spot, as well as some time at third base, while McCoy will make the move back to the infield from the outfield, a position he played at his junior college.
Defending league champion Central Missouri was picked to repeat, while Missouri Western, Emporia State, Central Oklahoma and Fort Hays State round out the top five. Southern is at six, while Washburn, Lindenwood, Pittsburg State, Northwest Missouri, Northeastern State, Nebraska-Kearney, Southwest Baptist, Truman and Lincoln round out the poll.
The Lions open up the 2013 season on February 9th and 10th with a pair of double-headers against Montana State-Billings in the HHH Metrodome.
2013 MIAA Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Missouri (14) 196
2. Missouri Western (1) 175
3. Emporia State 160
4. Central Oklahoma 152
5. Fort Hays State 136
6. Missouri Southern 135
7. Washburn 118
8. Lindenwood 108
9. Pittsburg State 91
10. Northwest Missouri 75
11. Northeastern State 64
12. Nebraska-Kearney 62
13. Southwest Baptist 43
14. Truman 41
15. Lincoln 19
